Looking for PCI wireless adapter for HTPC

[jfenwick]

Have never bothered with wireless adapters before but need one to go upstairs in the second level, the router, WRT54G is in the basement. It's for a bedroom HTPC, recommendations?

Was thinking of either:

NCIX.com - Buy Linksys WMP54GS WIRELESS-G PCI Network Card 802.11G 54MBPS 2.4GHZ W/ Speedbooster - WMP54GS In Canada.

NCIX.com - Buy Linksys WMP54G Wireless PCI Adapter 54MBPS 802.11G - WMP54G In Canada.

Is the "speedbooster" model worth the extra $$$

Any other recommendations instead of these?

 

[kmote]

I have two of these Edimax EW-7209APG Wireless 802.11g access point with 5-port switch with WDS (Realtek) - Scan.co.uk connecting two groups of machines onto my wireless network. If you can find something similar then I recommend it.

 

[jfenwick]

The Linksys WRT54G works fine, I'm just looking for the pci wireless card for the htpc comp. I'm planning on picking up a 24 port switch later for the rest of the house and the annual LAN parties.

 

[kmote]

Oh right. Those aren't routers BTW and do not replace that functionality what they did for me is allow me to connect to wired "islands" of PCs onto my existing wireless network. I just find it more convenient than buying cards and fiddling with drivers on each PC.
If you need a PCI card for sure though I think I had a couple of older versions of the WMP54G (v3 and v4 I think) and they were alright as far as I remember. Mine (the other was for my bro) occasionally cut out but then I'm in a bad location for signal.

 

[jfenwick]

Ah, i get it.

I'm not a huge wireless guy, except for this htpc up in my bedroom every comp in the house is wired in. If I could get wire to the bedroom I'd go for it. Unfortunately wireless is the only option for now so just want something reliable with enough range that I wont' have an issue connecting to the router in the basement.

 

[kmote]

Thinking back the WMP54GV4 wasn't that good it was fine when it was first installed then got progressively worse. You might want to try the speedboost version or a different manufacturer altogether.
I'm not a wireless guy either.

 

[jfenwick]

Yeah....that's what I was thinking, considering the distance.

Anyone else have a product recommendation?