Optiplex 5050, PCI wifi card?

you like the OP did not tell what PC they have,  5050 is series not an  actual PC.

MT, SFF, Micro??? which one is it?

ok,  dell_chris , sticky post 1 begs this why ignore him.?  (omg mobo vary)

hint not all MOBO are the same, and some PCs even have, M.2 wifi slots, even marked that way.(SFF)

is the wifi  at home far from the router?,  yes/no as you can see question 1 is Performance , fit is 2nd, ok?

there are, PCI-e cards tall and short,  and tall does not fit the short case, ok>?

the PCi-e cards (slot x1 ) is the best, with external antennas for max range, and is NEVER OLD SCHOOL, in fact radio waves (RF) are never laws repealed,(physics) Higher performance is never old school ever.

Buy the card put it in and connect the external antenna.s  get max range and even MAX SPEED !!!!

The next best is dell dedicated slot M.2 WIFI cards if in fact it has such  a slot , no PC told yet.

Seems the none SFF has no 30mm m.2 wifi slot,

and last the old  USB WIFI DONGLE works but will never OUT perform any AC rated Antenna PCIe card ever.

newegg and best buy sell them all but the dell custom m.2 cards are NOT SOLD now. ( and has 4-5 Partnumbers) ouch !

The top card to get is  w10 certified cards, not off fleabay and no w10 drivers, only xp,vista,w7..... they love to hide those facts !

now what WIKI shows, ( fast look)

"MT & SFF (half height): PCIe x16, 3x PCIe x1, M.2 80mm

(Micro: M.2 30mm (WiFi only)), M.2 80mm"

The m.2 card will be hard to find and make BIOS happy, so that alone I AVOID.

your dell PC has a service manual did you look there first, to see if you have m.2 wifi slot, (id not even bother)

id use Ethernet and not use WIFI , but if wifi pain is fun get the PCi-e card, from newegg. (end  story) millions do.

here is good MT card, full height or some come in dual height ,2 brackets in box.

searches find this.....

the 30mm SFF M.2 slot is for the hard to find wifi card.

Dell PN: 0MHK36 (Intel Wireless 3165NGW)

Dell PN: OCR86C and OYC3XX for the white and black antenna cables.

antenna PN lost. ( 4 to 5 partnumbers just to get this kit wow not fun that)

now the EGG, over 145 cards there,  endless choices and make sure height is right.

all are w10 ready , less is junk dont buy

Use USB and an 802.11AC router.

https://www.amazon.com/Edimax-EW-7811UAC-Extension-Reception-Transmission/dp/B00LGN8I40