HP Pavilion 15-p035nd:which version (3160NGW or 3160HMW) of Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3160 to use

[DC75]

Hi there,

In an older thread (see attached link below this message), advice was to replace the malfunctioning wifi module with an Intel one.

I want to do the same thing, but in my research I found that there are actually two versions of the Intel wifi module: a smaller one 3160NGW and a bigger one 3160HMW.

Can you please tell me which one I need for my HP laptop (HP Pavilion 15-p035nd)?

Thank you in advance.

Best regards,

Duncan

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Wireless-and-Networking/Is-it-possible-to-upgrade-the-wifi-mo...

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Duncan:

Chapter 3 of the service manual indicates that the card is of the HMC form factor when you google the part number.

HP Pavilion 15-p035nd Notebook PC (ENERGY STAR) Manuals | HP® Customer Support

However, since the product specs for your notebook indicate that it did not come with the Intel 3160 AC wifi card, you may find that your notebook only has one wifi antenna wire present, and the 3160 will need two in order to work properly.

So, if that is the card you want, and your notebook only has one antenna, you will need to figure out which terminal is best to place the antenna on.

I believe the Main antenna connection supports the wifi, and the auxiliary antenna connection serves as a secondary wifi antenna and provides Bluetooth reception.

Anyway, you will have to experiment if I am right about your notebook only having 1 wifi antenna present.

[DC75]

Hi Paul,

Thank you for quick reply.

Maybe better if I take one step back and tell you what my actual problems are.

These are: bad wifi connection (even when sitting next to the router, now using a random USB adapter to boost the signal) and unusable bluetooth connection (never been able to connect a device via bluetooth to laptop).

So assuming the Broadcom wifi+bluetooth module is to blame, I now finally want to replace it.

But it's not that I only want this Intel 3160 AC wifi card and nothing else.

I just assumed the Intel module was a solution, based on the earlier thread.

If you can give me an alternative wifi+bluetooth module which better matches with my laptop configuration, I would really appreciate it.

Thank and best regards,

Duncan

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, Duncan.

Yes, i read that thread and assumed that the person that posted the question had that card installed and needed to replace it.

The post was marked as solved but the person never did actually indicate the card worked 100%.

Then I looked up the specs and saw that your notebook came with a single band N card.

If you are just looking for a different card that would work with one antenna wire, then I recommend this one...

Realtek RT8723BE 802.11bgn 1x1 Wi-Fi + BT4.0 Combo Adapter   HP part # 753077-005.

You can probably find this model wifi card on eBay.  Search by the HP part number.

Note the card only has one terminal to connect the wifi antenna to.

[DC75]

Hi Paul,

I looked at the service manual you referred too. 

Chapter 3, page 46 shows that the wifi+bluetooth module (Broadcom BCM43142) in my laptop config has 2 colums for the regulatory model number ticked: TPN-Q140 and TPN-Q141.

On page 45, the Intel 3160 module, has the same 2 columns being ticked.

So is then the conclusion that both the Broadcom and the Intel components are indeed interchangeable or am I overlooking something? 

Thanks and best regards,

Duncan

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Duncan:

Yes, they are interchangeable, but I'm thinking that your specific notebook only has one antenna wire and it is connected to the Broadcom wifi card's 'Main' antenna connector.

I suggest that to remove any doubt, you open up the notebook and confirm how many antenna wires are present before buyin g a replacement card.

If there are two antenna wires, then definitely get the Intel 3160, and better still, get this one, which has twice the throughput as the 3160.

Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 802.11 ac 2x2 WiFi + BT 4.0    HP Part # 710661-001

[DC75]

Paul, forget about my last post.

Just saw that your last reply came in when I was busy writing mine.

I will take your advice and go after the one you recommend:

Realtek RT8723BE 802.11bgn 1x1 Wi-Fi + BT4.0 Combo Adapter   HP part # 753077-005.

Many thanks and when I succeed in making  the replacement I will let  you know here.

Best wishes for the coming period!

Duncan

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime, Duncan.

Glad to have been of assistance.

Happy Holidays to you!

Paul