Need to Upgrade The Network Wired (RJ45) Components

[caxtin]

HP Pavilion dv7-3162nr Entertainment Notebook PC / Windows 10 64Bit

Purchased October 2010

Currently Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller

-------------------------------------------------------

I would like to upgrade the modem/internet port/RJ45 port/internet card to a more current version.

Currently, with the original card, I do not get a good speed to match my ISP's high speed internet. I believe a newer card would give me a good speed. This laptop is still in good shape. I upgraded to Windows 10 in a SSD drive. I already have a modern wireless WiFi adapter, but would like to upgrade the wired portion of the laptop.

Please, what hardware combo would you recommend, or just the card.

Thanks

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

The ethernet adapter is an integral part of the motherboard and cannot be upgraded.

Since your notebook only has USB 2 support, I don't know how fast the internet connection would be if you purchased a USB 3 to RJ-45 gigabit ethernet adapter, which would be your only option.

[caxtin]

Well, thank you, well appreciated.

Cheers.

[caxtin]

Just curious, would I need any driver for this to work right?

Also, being an older notebook, before USB 3, would there be any issue using the USB 3?

Cheers

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

There'd be no problem using one of those ethernet adapters in a USB 2 port but what I don't know is how fast of a throughput will you get.

100 MBPS? 300 MBPS? 500 MBPS? 750 MBPS?

I doubt you would get the full gigabit throughput since your notebook does not have any USB 3 ports.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

On Windows 10 they should be plug and play.

For example:

Amazon.com: UGREEN USB to Ethernet Adapter for Laptop PC Gigabit USB 3.0 to 10 100 1000 Mbps Network...

[caxtin]

I realized I have a couple of the USB 3 adapters. I tried it and here's what I got.

Interesting that I got better speed with the OEM's adapter than with the USB 3 connected.

Realtek Adapter in the notebook:  95 UP  and 62 Down

USB 3 Adapter:  70 UP and 62 Down

In my desktop, wired, I get up to 946 UP and 74 Down

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Interesting...

I figured you'd have gotten at least the same.

In that event, I guess you will have to be content with the built in 100 MPBS ethernet adapter.

[caxtin]

Unfortunately, yes, I would have to live with the notebook's speed.