Upgrade from single antenna to dual antenna and Dual Band from Realtek RTL8723DE

[Gagan8]

Model: 15-da0326tu, System SKU: 5AY34PA#ACJ.

I am facing a lot of network connectivity and speed issues in my laptop after 17 months.

The Network adapter installed is Realtek RTL8723DE with possibly a single antenna.

I see two possible solutions  to resolve the issues.

1. Adding a second antenna to make a total of 2 Antennas and then replacing my adapter with a dual antenna adapter.

2. Replacing my adapter with a single antenna but a Dual Band adapter from any of the following.(I ain't sure if internet experience will improve with a SINGLE antenna and SAME signal strength, as my Smartphone with a X15 modem provides slightly better speeds and strength on the same 2.4 GHz band ).

i) Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 9461 802.11 AC 1×1 WiFi + BT5 Combo Adapter (non-vPro) (MU-MIMO supported) 

ii) Realtek RTL8821CE 802.11 ac 1×1 WiFi + Bluetooth 4.2 Combo Adapter (MU-MIMO supported).

Please suggest which is the best solution(Along with Adapter name) to improve overall Internet experience and resolve speed  issues.

Note: I have a Dual band router with MU-MIMO and WIFI strength is generally 55-65% at my location.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

The easiest thing to do would be to replace the  Realtek RTL8723DE with the Realtek RTL8821CE  dual band card which only needs to use one antenna as well.

The Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 9461 will not work.  That only can be used if your notebook originally came with that model card and you needed to replace it.  That card also uses one antenna wire, BTW.

It would be very difficult to run a second antenna.  You need to buy the antenna kit listed in chapter 3 of the service manual and you would have to completely disassemble the notebook including the display panel area to properly install the second antenna wire and transceiver.

The RTL8821CE can have up to a 433 MBPS throughput on the 5.0 GHz wifi band with an AC router.

You should be able to find the card on eBay or Ali Express.

[Gagan8]

Firstly, I am thankful for your response.

I would like you to just clarify:

I guess Intel cards perform much better than Relatek cards, as my experience with Relatek cards hasn't been great lately.

I wish to upgrade to Intel 7265/3168(Requires 2 Antennas) which is best for performance, OR if you can suggest a  good Intel  card for 1 Antenna?

Can I install 7265/3168 which requires 2 antenna cables, by using the Bluetooth antenna cable in my laptop and then using Wifi/Blueooth one at a time, as I hardly use Bluetooth ?

Can in INDIA I get the second antenna/WLAN Card installed from the service center or authorized part store itself and if yes, how?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

There are no Intel cards with Bluetooth where both the WiFi and Bluetooth will work in your notebook.

You can install an Intel WiFi card, and the WiFi will work, but not the Bluetooth, because the reception would be too weak to pair with a Bluetooth device.

HP will not perform work like that.

You would have to take your notebook to an independent repair shop to add a second antenna wire.