Is it possible to upgrade my old dog's Wi-Fi?

[TexasIndian]

Able to replace/'upgrade' from 802.11n to ac5? or ideally ax6?  If so, how?

(if possible/probable, be nice to take advantage of ax11000 wifi-6 router)

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

The only option that I could think of would be to remove the existing Wi-Fi card, zip tie the antenna wire to other wires in the case to prevent it from making contact with any electrical components and install a PCIe x1 AX Wi-Fi adapter if one of the 3 PCIe x1 slots on the motherboard are free.

Something like this...

Fenvi FV-AX3000 WiFi 6 PCI-E 3000Mbps Bluetooth Wifi Adapter - Newegg.com

The Bluetooth will only work if your PC's motherboard has an internal USB 9 pin connector.

A cable goes from the Wi-Fi adapter to the internal USB connector for Bluetooth.

[TexasIndian]

(would have selected "Wi-Fi" category, but "Bluetooth" was only option)

Thank you Paul_Tikkanen,

Don't know if this matters to your analysis, but pc is hardwired (cat-6) to modem+router;

but since current card is only 802.11b/g/n, assume I'm not fully utilizing what AX11000 can offer?

Original spec sheet lists: "Chipset - AMD 785G" + 3 PCi Express x1 (three available)".  (9 pin connector?)

Are there any specifications I need to know (when shopping) to make certain my HPE 500f  'matches up'?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

You are correct.

The wifi card your PC has only works on the 2.4 GHz wifi band, and it only has a maximum throughput of 150 MB/S according to the specs for your PC.

HP Pavilion Elite HPE-500f Desktop PC Product Specifications | HP® Customer Support

I believe the adapter I posted should work fine since you are running W10.

The 9-pin connector is only needed for the Bluetooth to work, not the wifi.

You are going to have to scout around your PC's motherboard and check to see if it has one.

I looked at the picture of your PC's motherboard and it appears it may have one in a couple of places.

It's hard to say.

It will be a connector with 2 rows of pins -- 5 pins in one row and 4 pins in the second row.

It should be labeled on the motherboard.

The wifi will work from the PCIe x 1 slot.