HP Pavilion desktop 500-297c upgrade WiFi card options

[Phredd430]

Hi:  I have a HP desktop 500-297c using windows 10.   I’d like to upgrade the wifi card to have better wifi capability and Bluetooth. What are the specs and compatibility considerations for this?  And, if I read other prior responses, the mini slot options are limited, is it possible to add a pcie card rather then use the mini slot  to get better capabilities?  My desktop currently has an 

Atheros AR5B125 card.  Thank you!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Open up the PC and let me know how many antenna wires are connected to the Atheros Wi-Fi card.

A dual band card will require that the PC have two antenna wires available to connect to it.

[Phredd430]

 Hi, as you can see in this photo, there is only one antenna connected to the Atheros mini card. I’m fairly sure this is one band, 2.4.  I’d like to know what upgrade options I have for this a lot or the pcie 1x slot on the mobo.  Thanks. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Unfortunately, you won't be able to install a dual band Wi-Fi/Bluetooth card in the existing slot because the signal strength would be degraded, and you would not have any Bluetooth reception without the auxiliary antenna wire.

I don't know how you would install a second antenna wire or even where it goes, but the parts list does have antenna kits listed.

HP PartSurfer

I cannot find any specs on your PC's motherboard, a part number or a link on eBay to see what it looks like.

If the PC has a free PCIe x1 slot and a 9-pin internal USB header, then your best option would be to install a PCIe x1 desktop Wi-Fi kit with external antennas.

The Bluetooth will not work unless you can connect the Bluetooth cable from the Wi-Fi card to the 9-pin internal USB header that the card should come with.

Amazon.com: BZIZU WiFi 6E PCIe Card | Intel AX210 Chip | 5400Mbps Tri-Band 2.4GHz/5GHz/6GHz | Blueto...

But the easiest thing to do would be to purchase a dual band USB Wi-Fi/Bluetooth adapter if your PC does not have a 9-pin USB header.

I use this one on one of my HP desktop PC's that didn't come with built in Wi-Fi. Works great.

Amazon.com: USB WiFi Bluetooth Adapter, 600Mbps Dual Band 2.4/5Ghz Wireless Network External Receive...

[Phredd430]

Hi, thank you for the extensive info, it’s appreciated. This machine came with a Memphis S motherboard.  

 It’s  a bit older, yes, but still works. If this helps narrow things down, let me know. 
The card is wifi only, didn’t have Bluetooth. I bought it new, back at the time. 

Again, thanks. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

I can't seem to find a 9-pin USB header on the motherboard even when looking at this eBay listing:

FOR HP MEMPHIS-S IPM87-MP Desktop Motherboard 732239-503 732239-603 707825-003 | eBay

So, you will have to look around and see if one exists, and if not and you want Bluetooth, you will have to use a dual band USB Wi-Fi/Bluetooth adapter such as the one I posted.

You can replace the Atheros card with this model Wi-Fi/Bluetooth card that works with one antenna wire, but the Wi-Fi would still be only single band and no better than what you have now,

Realtek RTL8723BE 802.11bgn 1×1 + BT 4 LE Combo Adapter   HP part # 753077-001

[Phredd430]

Hi again, 

here is a photo of the side of my mobo. Would these be the headers we seek?

 One labeled F_USB_1 and the other F_USB_2? 

Thank you. 

 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Yes, those are the ones.

I assumed that those were for the external USB ports on the front of the case when I saw those headers on the eBay motherboard picture, since they are labeled F USB1 and F USB2.

Since they aren't being used for anything, you can use either one of those to connect the PCIe x1 wifi adapter's Bluetooth cable to.

[Phredd430]

A last few question, if I may?  Are there any compatibility issues or considerations in getting a  wifi / BT card?   Or, could I just get a latest readily card, such as this: WiFi 7 Wireless Card Intel BE200 NGW, Bluetooth 5.4? Or do I need to stick with an older card?  Or do I have to go with a pcie card in an open slot?

Recall, I currently have the mini pci mini slot with wifi 2.4 (slow) and no Bluetooth.  But, also have an open, avail PCIe slot.  
Thank you!

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

If you can get the Intel BE200 in a PCIe x1 desktop kit, I can't think of any reason why it wouldn't work since your PC has two available 9-pin internal USB connectors to choose from.