Author: mickozSubject: ASRock Z370 Pro4 Wifi with the M.2 (Key E) slot
Posted: 06 Jul 2019 at 3:01pm
@Jon204D Looks my messages. The Intel AC 9260 I bought from AliExpress do the job very well, it was the best option available if I remember right when I wrote my message. I could not find cheaper than AliExpress (and the link I provided, I can say the seller "Topmin Network Store" was fine and responding to messages, and the product works well, it was shipped quickly but probably took near 3 weeks to get by in Canada). You can look elsewhere but you will save time going with same choice I believe (or at least same seller on Ali, or look up review if you decide to go with someone else). I think you get a rebate for signing up a new account and also from ordering via mobile app on Ali, so extra way to save some more dollars!
It was not uber easy to install as connectors are very tiny and you might have to try 20 times before getting it right, but hey, once it works, it works. It was way less hassle to buy an ASRock board with the wifi already integrated (my previous built was), but those boards usually cost a bit more. But picking your own card might get better performance? (not sure, just a question to ask if you want the best performance for the bucks too).
Look up Intel specification for their wireless card: https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/series/59484/intel-wireless-products.html
I see they have two new products that launched in 2019 with slight higher potential max speed than the AC 9260.
Board Form Factor seems to be the same.
However, warning, now I remember, check the "System Interface Type", the AC 9260 is "Wi-Fi(PCIe), BT(USB)". This was working fine.
However the AC 9560 is "M.2: CNVio", this was not compatible with the board I had and probably not with your pick either.
In the new one "Intel® Wi-Fi 6 AX200" seem to be the same as 9260.
But AX201 is M.2: CNVio2. So be aware of that as from memory those CNVio were not working with our ASRock mobo.
I think what you want is to buy the AX200 now as it is the newest/better model that is compatible with Wi-Fi PCIe. I see there is a bunch on AliExpress, some title say "2.4Gps Wireless AX200NGW NGFF For Intel wifi 6 AX200 network card 2.4G/5Ghz 802.11ac/ax Wi-fi Bluetooth 5.0 better than 9260AC". The store I bought it from also has this model, but I don't see a bundle that has all the piece you need (but you can buy the card alone and the antenna and connector separately from the store).
I remind you, for a desktop PC, you really want those three items:
- The Wireless Card: AC 9260 or the newest/better AX200
- The Antenna (the 6dbi ones work fine for me)
- MHF4 U.fl Cable to RP-SMA (there is an hole in the mobo to output your RP-SMA)
It took me a while to figure out all I really needed, I didn't find a clear source that explained to me, so it was a source of doubts. I should have made a blog post to immortalize the knowledge I had back then (I don't remember all my research as now it is done and problem solved, hopefully this thread can be found by others!)
Hope that help, feel free to ask me any question.
P.S., Intel list price for their wireless stuff but they are way below what I found back then in North America (and if you click their question mark it talks about buying 1000 units, so might be wholesale price only). AliExpress was the best, but depending where you live, you might want to check for similar parts or bundle with the 3 items I said to get from a nearby seller to get it quicker. But if you can wait 3 weeks, then go with AliExpress.
P.P.S., And I am not 100% sure, but I think the Wi-Fi was not working well until I install the right drivers (you would expect Windows 10 to support that out of the box). Just a doubt, but if that is the case, you might want to get nearby an USB key or to plug your computer temporary with an ethernet cable when setting up.