serial number position

[Avasolaris]

Can i use an intel 6e wifi card in this model?

[Dragora]

Hi Avasolaris

Yes, you can use an Intel Wi-Fi 6E card in the Victus by HP 16.1 inch Gaming Laptop PC 16-e0000. This model series supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) which is a M.2 slot. Therefore, you would need to get an Intel Wi-Fi 6E card that also uses the M.2 form factor, such as an Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX210 card.

Some users have reported that certain HP laptops, including the Victus 16, have a whitelist or a specific firmware check that may prevent the use of non-HP-approved Wi-Fi cards. Additionally, there are V-Pro and non-V-Pro versions of some Intel Wi-Fi cards, and you should ensure you get the correct one for your model. It's often recommended to search for the specific part number of the Wi-Fi card compatible with your laptop model to ensure a perfect fit and avoid any compatibility issues.

---

You can check out a detailed review of the laptop's features, including its upgradeability, by watching this HP Victus 16 (2023) Review. This video provides a comprehensive look at the laptop's internals and upgrade options, which is relevant to your question about replacing the Wi-Fi card.

I hope the above is helpful

[Avasolaris]

Hello, 

Thanks. 

I think mine may be the 2021 version of the 16 with the wifi card under the heat pipes. Both my M2 slots are currently occupied with storage.

My wifi is a Realtek and the performance is quite poor if the signal is a little weak. As an example, it loses wifi in one location in the house, while my older Acer Nitro 5 never had any such issues.

Kind regards

[Dragora]

Hi Avasolaris

Thank you for providing the additional details. The fact that you have the 2021 version (16-e0000) with the Realtek Wi-Fi card under the heat pipes and with both M.2 slots occupied by storage is crucial information.

Here's a breakdown of the situation and your options:

Can you use an Intel Wi-Fi 6E card?

Yes, you can. The Realtek Wi-Fi card (likely an RTL8852AE) is in a dedicated M.2 slot. This slot is specifically for the Wi-Fi card and is separate from the M.2 slots used for storage. Therefore, the fact that your two M.2 storage slots are full doesn't prevent you from upgrading the Wi-Fi card.

Many users with the same model and the same issue (poor performance with the Realtek card) have successfully replaced it with an Intel Wi-Fi 6E card. The Intel AX210 is the most commonly recommended and successful upgrade for this laptop.

Key Considerations for the Upgrade

1. The M.2 Form Factor: The Wi-Fi card slot is an M.2 2230 form factor. You must purchase an Intel AX210 card that is also in this form factor. The full model name you should look for is the Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX210 (AX210NGW).

2. Location under the Heat Pipes: As you've noted, the Wi-Fi card is located under the heatsink/heat pipes. This means the replacement process is more involved than in some other laptops. To access the card, you will need to:

   • Open the laptop's base enclosure.

   • Disconnect the battery (a crucial safety step).

   • Unscrew and carefully remove the heatsink assembly, which is connected to the CPU and GPU.

   • Be prepared to clean off the old thermal paste and apply new thermal paste when you re-install the heatsink.

   • The Wi-Fi card is a small module held in place by a single screw, with two antenna cables attached.

3. Antenna Compatibility: The existing antenna cables from your Realtek card are compatible with the Intel AX210. You just need to carefully detach them from the old card and snap them into place on the new one.

4. Drivers: Before you begin the physical replacement, it's highly recommended that you download the latest drivers for the Intel AX210 card from Intel's website onto a USB drive. After installing the new card, Windows should recognize it, but having the drivers ready will ensure a smooth process. You may need to use an Ethernet cable to get online and install the drivers if Windows doesn't automatically detect the card.

Why the upgrade is a good idea

The Realtek RTL8852AE card is known to have performance and stability issues in various laptops, not just HP models. The Intel AX210 is widely regarded as a more robust and reliable card that will almost certainly solve your connectivity problems and provide a significant performance boost, especially if you have a Wi-Fi 6E router.

I hope the above is helpful

[Avasolaris]

Great, 

thank you.

I will purchase the appropriate AX210 and go ahead with the refit.

Kind regards

Michael

[Avasolaris]

Hello,

Replacing the card with the Intel AX210 was straightforward, except for finding a less messy way of applying thermal paste.

The performance improvement is marked, and after playing BF2042 for a few hours, the thermals were fine.

Thanks again for the feedback

Kind regards