Notebook Intel Wireless AC-9260 compatibility

[SheldonC]

I want to change the wireless card of my laptop to Intel Wireless AC-9260,  originally it is Realtek 8723BE, whose signal is a little weak.

Laptop: HP Notebook [edit]

CPU: Intel i7-6500U

Motherborder name: HP 81EC .

I want to know if AC-9260 is compatible with my computer, or is there any other upgrade choice?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

The card will only work if you are willing to completely disassemble the entire notebook including the display panel area to run the required second antenna.

You can do a direct swap of the Realtek 8723BE for this one...Not sure that it will improve the signal quality though...

Realtek RTL8821CE 802.11 ac 1x1 Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 4.2 Combo Adapter (MU-MIMO supported)
HP Part # L17365-005

The card has been on back order from HP for eons now, but you can find one for sale on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=L17365-005++&_sacat=0&_sop=15

[SheldonC]

Thank you for your reply!

I guess I can try it myself.

Besides, could you please tell me the difference of these three products that I found on amazon? They are all named AC 9260

1:

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-PCs-NGFF-Card-2-4GHz-Bluetooth-Wireless-AC/dp/B07FMKHKQY/ref=sr_1_1_...

2:

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Wireless-Ac-9260-2230-Gigabit/dp/B079QH5KW1/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=intel+a...

3:

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Wireless-Ac-9260-2230-Gigabit/dp/B079QJQF4Y/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=intel+a...

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

If you are going to install a second antenna, then this is the card you want...it has to be non-VPro.

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Wireless-Ac-9260-2230-Gigabit/dp/B079QH5KW1/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=intel+a...

I actually bought that very same card to upgrade from the 7265 AC card that HP installed in a PCIe x1 wifi adapter used in desktop PC's.  I was wanting to see if I could get the 1.7 GB/S connection speed, but my experiment was unsuccessful.

It may be due to the PCIe x1 slot slows down the speed.  I don't know.

But the card works just as good as the 7265 in the adapter, and it still has driver support from Intel, since they quit updating drivers for the 7265 about mid year this year.

So, I came out slightly ahead...continued driver support.

[SheldonC]

Just replaced it, dont wanna do it again... Bought the chip from that link.

This chip can actually work with only one antenna,  didn't measure the speed. 

A weird thing is I can switch the chip and it works without installing the driver first. Installed the driver from Intel, then it works well.

I bought a pair of antenna along with the chip. Thanks god they are long enough, though I have to put the ends under the screen. Would this affect signal?    ( My laptop is all plastic )

Besides, I switched the antenna connection on the ac 9260, but I can't notice any significant speed change. But one of the antenna is labeled as MAIN, what's the difference then?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Remember that your download speed will be limited to the speed of what you are paying for.

Check the connection speed by going to the windows control panel>network and internet>network & sharing center>under the view active networks, click on the wifi connection on the right side of the window .

With an excellent signal the connection speed should be in excess of 1 GB/S.  Max is 1.7 GB/S.

The original antenna cable goes to the main terminal of the wifi card.   The one you added goes to the auxiliary terminal.

What difference it makes...I think the Bluetooth is run off the aux antenna mostly.

Also, I as had stated the other day, unless you bought the correct antenna and installed it where it is supposed to go, then the antennas are not 'tuned' to the best they can be for optimal performance.

Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.