My HP Envy network adapter doesn't support gigabit speeds. Is there an upgrade available?

[hhunting]

My HP Envy 15t-k000 works fine, but is slow. I thought it was my internet until I did a troubleshooting and discovered that the reason I am not getting the superfast speeds I am supposed to be getting is because my computer doesn't have a fast enough network adaptor. Currently it has the Qualcomm Atheros AR9485 it came with. I looked at the service manual and couldn't find an upgrade in it. Is there a module I can replace it with that will allow for the 1G speeds?

The part number for the laptop is G0T55AV.

Thanks!

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

The adapter you mentioned...Qualcomm Atheros AR9485 is the wireless network adapter, and I do not believe that card will connect any faster than 72 MBPS.

Your notebook comes with the Realtek 10/100 ethernet (wired) adapter and it cannot be upgraded because the ethernet chip is part of the motheboard.

If you want a gigabit ethernet connection, then I recommend you purchase an external USB to RJ-45 gigabit ethernet adapter.

You won't find any wireless card that will go beyond the AC rate of 867 MBPS and you would need an ac router to achieve those speeds.

You would also have to take the entire notebook apart to replace the wireless card and if your notebook only has one antenna attached to the atheros wlan card, you won't be able to upgrade to a faster wireless card.

A suitable AC card would be the Intel 7260 wireless card if your notebook has two antennas attached to the atheros card.

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/wireless-products/dual-band-wireless-ac-7260-bluetooth.html

[hhunting]

Thanks! So if I buy the USB to RJ-45 gigabit ethernet adapter I will be able to take advantage of the faster speeds?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Yes, if you don't mind being connected by an ethernet cable, the USB to RJ-45 gigabit ethernet adapter will give you a connection up to 1 GBPS.

However, bear in mind that your internet service provider probably offers internet download speeds of much less than 1 GBPS.

For example;  I have Charter Spectrum, which provides 100 MBPS download speeds.

So the only value having a 1 GB ethernet connection does for me, would be to transfer files on my home network at a much faster rate from one PC to another, than if I had a 100 MBPS ethernet adapter.

I would only need a wireless or ethernet connection that can handle at least 100 MBPS to take advantage of the download speeds Charter offers me.

So, to recap...

You have two factors...the actual physical network connection speed, and the internet download speed offered by your internet service provider.

[hhunting]

Thanks! Yes, that is why I was trying for the faster speed -- AT&T tells me that I should be getting 1G but that my wireless adaptor is the issue. It is frustrating that I would still only get those speeds when I was hardwired into the LAN, but at least we could do heavy download activities while plugged in. I will try that cord -- hopefully it will do the trick. Thanks for all your help!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.