I have an Optiplex 9020 SFF, in which I would like to fit an internal combined WLAN and Bluetooth card. There is 1 x PCI-E x1 and 1 x PCI-E x16 socket. It's running Windows 7 but could be upgraded to Windows 10 if that would provide a solution.
So far my understanding is that all of these combined cards require the PCI-E for the WLAN and the Bluetooth requires an internal USB connection ( which I believe the 9020 motherboard does not have ). If I am under a false impression here, I would welcome being corrected.
I have looked at the AC7260 and the N-6235, but data on the WWW is quite difficult to find.
Any advice that anyone might be able to provide on this subject would be very much appreciated.
If your WLAN and BT come with drivers, you still may need to use them. Even though I use external USB BT, I wanted to let you know that I still had to install the driver my BT came with in order for my BT headphones to work.
here is how to do dinky do, tiny SFF PCs, (the pain PC)
look in the case first to be sure nothing is in the way of the x4 slot, there. (or other cards , x16 in the way of that X4 slot, only LOOKING works, oK I even use a ruler, for length. (space, to rear, in mm is best)
then buy from suppler that ships fast and allows easy returns, oK,, not from 12,000 miles down under,
the card must be with 79mm brackets or kitted with it. a.k.a, low profile.
buy the card with external antenna and is huge win there, the PC is a faraday cage and blocks RF radio propagation. ok,, bingo that.
get AC wifi, not less. ever buy 1 band wifi , not in year 2020. ok? sure they are dirt cheap 1band, just don't
do not buy a card that only works in one brand PC. some need internal USB port, oops., wrong card.
even worse is that ASUS card using only USB custom MOBO USB ports, bad that is to the bone. dang.
here is your tiny crammed PC. see that red line that is where the PCI-e wifi card fits
make sure you have room there, seem ok to me but use your own eyes and judgment.
The 9020 SFF does NOT have a free USB header on the Motherboard to connect the Bluetooth on a WiFi/Bluetooth PCI-E card.
The 9020 MT does have a free USB 2.0 header on the Motherboard to connect the Bluetooth on a WiFi/Bluetooth PCI-E card which is what I did on my 9020 MT.
The SFF only has one USB connector on the mother board which is a 3.0 USB header for the front Panel.
You may be able to buy a "USB 3.0 Header Y splitter Cable " to plug in which will give you a free USB 3.0 then buy a 3.0 to 2.0 header converter cable since most Bluetooth cards use the USB 2.0
What would be better i, s to get a 3.0 USB Y Splitter cable that has 2.0 and 3.0 on one end - thats assuming they even make those type of cables
I also trying to do the same thing on my Dell 9020. There is a front panel connector that is nine pin usb that you will need to plug in a splitter cable that will allow you to hook up more 9 pin usb 2 the one port on the Optiplex. Then you can plug both in the same usb 2 port on the motherboard. It is low power so it will not change the function of your usb 2. You can find them on ebay for about 8 bucks
9pin USB Header Male 1 to 2 Female Extension Splitter Cable Connector Adapter
speedstep
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Posted January 21st, 2020 12:00
USB Bluetooth dongles are not expensive.
AC600 usb wifi adapters are also not expensive.
Both work plug and play without needing drivers with win8 and 10.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1143249-REG/edimax_technology_ew_7811uac_11ac_dualband_usb_adapter.html
https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Receiver-Keyboards-Controllers-USB-BT400/dp/B00DJ83070/