Unsolved
This post is more than 5 years old
3 Posts
0
3651
December 14th, 2018 16:00
Upgrading wireless network adapter
I have a new Inspiron 15-3567. Network wireless adapter is only 2.4 ghz.(Qualcomm QCA-9565 B/G/N) After researching what is available I would like to upgrade to the Intel Ac 9260 to take advantage of its better features and performance. For $20 it is well worth it. I am of the belief that it will work in my laptop. The description for the AC 9260 on Amazon says that it is recommended for 8th generation core processors. and that "(older PC or other processors may not work)" The 3567 has the i5-7200U 7th generation. Would I still be able to use this model? I have changed wireless adapters in 2 other laptops in the past so I am familiar with how to do it.
Thanks,
Ron
JOcean
9 Legend
•
12.6K Posts
1
December 14th, 2018 16:00
It might work but why not the AC 8265. It is very similar in specs to the AC 9260, is dual band, and AC certified. Plus drivers are available on the 3567 Support page.
https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Dual-Band-Wireless-Ac-8265/dp/B01MZA1AB2
Ron6477
3 Posts
0
December 14th, 2018 17:00
I have looked at the AC 8265 as well. Certainly, I do not want to put one in my laptop that may not work. The 9260 seems like it has a slight advantage in specs. I had called Dell to try and find out through them, but after being passed between literally six reps, one told me yes it would work, but I do not think they understood exactly what I was referencing. I was hoping someone would have a definitive answer. If anyone has actually used one in a i5 7th gen, please let me know. I am in no real hurry, but I know I can almost double my wifi speed just by having 5ghz.
Thanks,
Ron
jphughan
9 Legend
•
14K Posts
1
December 14th, 2018 18:00
I installed a 9260 into my 2013-era XPS 15 9530 that originally came with a 7260 and it worked just fine, for what it's worth, and lots of other users have upgraded their own WiFi cards on various Dell models. According to Dell's specs, your system uses an M.2 slot, so I see no reason that the 9260 wouldn't work. The 8265 should also work, but the 9260 is indeed newer. Whether it will deliver an actual benefit though depends largely on your router. You'd need one that supported MU-MIMO and could actually perform quite well over WiFi, and most routers will fail on one or the other there, but of course you may upgrade your router later.
Ron6477
3 Posts
0
December 15th, 2018 03:00
I have recently upgraded my router. It is the Netgear Ac2400. It has mu-mimo. It does not have the 160 mhz. I think I will just go ahead and get the 9260, if only for future proofing. I will likely use this laptop for several years. I appreciate your response.
Thanks again
Ron
rediranch1
1 Message
0
September 4th, 2019 09:00
jphughan
9 Legend
•
14K Posts
1
September 4th, 2019 10:00
@rediranch1 I installed a 9260 into my XPS 15 9530 and it works great. Dell to my knowledge has never had any firmware whitelist/blacklist restrictions on WiFi cards, so as long as the hardware is compatible, there's no reason it shouldn't work, and the 9260 simply requires an M.2 slot, so if that's what you have, you should be good to go. The 9560 requires CNVio support since it relies on some WiFi components being built into the CPU, which might not be the case with your system, but the 9260 is essentially the same WiFi chipset with all necessary components built into the card itself.