WiFi add-in for AMD workstation

Notice: Page may contain affiliate links for which we may earn a small commission through services like Amazon Affiliates or Skimlinks.
C

compgeek89

Member
Mar 2, 2019
66
38
18
I am putting together a workstation based on the ASUS Pro WS WRX90E-SAGE SE (Threadripper 7000 Pro). The board does not have WiFi on-board, but the end user is wanting to use WiFi. I am finding a variety of options on the internet, but I have some uncertainty regarding compatibility, and what would perform the best. Could anyone provide insight in this tech area? The ASUS Pro WS TRX50-SAGE WIFI has a Mediatek WiFi 7 chip on-board, but I can't find anything similar in an add-in card. I could settle for 6E; I understand 7 is preliminary at the moment. I have used intel AX210 chips in M.2 format on AMD laptops, and they seem "OK".

Is something like this my best bet(?): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091HTG6DQ
 
C

compgeek89

Member
Mar 2, 2019
66
38
18
C

compgeek89

Member
Mar 2, 2019
66
38
18
MountainBofh said:
Qualcomm chipset. Personally I'm not a fan, as their driver support is about non existent. I don't know why all the wireless chipset OEM's play these games except for Intel. Realtek, Qualcomm, etc - all are IMPOSSIBLE to get current drivers for their wireless devices.
Click to expand...
I am with you on the Intel preference historically, and given the choice I would stick with them, but they seem to be playing hardball, and truth is I haven't had issues with the WiFi 6/7 stuff that's come in laptops/motherboards based on those vendors. I know an add-in card is a different animal, though, in some ways.
 
T

Tech Junky

Active Member
Oct 26, 2023
711
241
43
Well, @MountainBofh I'm using it in both W11 and Linux. Linux was a bit slow to release the drivers but it's up and working.

QCA will be better for AMD though w/o the bloat from Intel. There's a couple of driver options for W11 and the most recent is from https://www.msi.com/PC-Component/MSI-HERALD-BE-NCM865-WI-FI-7/support

The other perk is if they want to enable hotspot mode to share the connection it will work as an AP as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: compgeek89
MountainBofh

MountainBofh

Beating my users into submission
Mar 9, 2024
485
326
63
Tech Junky said:
Well, @MountainBofh I'm using it in both W11 and Linux. Linux was a bit slow to release the drivers but it's up and working.

QCA will be better for AMD though w/o the bloat from Intel. There's a couple of driver options for W11 and the most recent is from https://www.msi.com/PC-Component/MSI-HERALD-BE-NCM865-WI-FI-7/support

The other perk is if they want to enable hotspot mode to share the connection it will work as an AP as well.
Click to expand...
Trick with Intel drivers is to use the "IT administrators" driver version. MUCH slimmer without all the BS.

I'm not saying the Qualcomm hardware is bad. I'm sure its pretty good actually. My gripe is that Qualcomm (and a bunch of the other vendors) REFUSE to post drivers on their site. So you have to go to MSI or whoever sold you the wifi board, and use their often horribly out of date drivers, and all the bugs that come with it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: compgeek89
T

Tech Junky

Active Member
Oct 26, 2023
711
241
43
MountainBofh said:
REFUSE to post drivers on their site
Click to expand...
Yeah, there's some of that to deal with besides Intel. IIRC when I put the card in W a program I use installed it automatically. The other issue is it's all new and limited release while working on the bugs. Qca usually limits sales to OEMs and then they resell under their brand and offer support. Which is an issue I have with my 5G wwan modem. However. he minor frustration of tracking down the driver for it are well worth the speed boost. Goign from the provider modem device to a stand alone option has boosted both DLUL speeds by 2-3X. Being able to toggle the system mode and do band locking means it's more stable and performant.

Back to the question at hand though. The MTK or QCA options are preferred with AMD. RTL AFAIK has been kind of silent on the WIFI front and can be a real PITA if things aren't working out of the box. Even the built in port on mu MOBO required some workarounds to get it working properly before Linux disabled the out of the box driver in favor of the newest one. Make things difficult if you don't have another system to DL the proper package for install to make the port work to DL updates.

It's up to the OP on which to choose and which will provide less hand holding to the EU once the system is delivered.
 
  • Like
Reactions: compgeek89
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom