PCI vs PCI-Express Wireless-N Network Card

[lowenbotten]

When it comes to a wireless networking card, is there a drastic difference between a PCI card vs a PCI-Express card?

The reason I ask is because there is a good sale on a PCI version of a wireless card, but I'd rather get the express version of the card (not on sale) if there is a difference. I'm aware that PCI express is faster, but for wireless networking, does it matter?

[h20-ski]

As far as performance between the two, should be almost null. The bandwidth on a wireless network is still less that that of the PCI bus. Go with what ever version gives you the most options on the motherboard, ie use the PCI-E if you plan on buying more PCI cards in the future

[shaihulud]

Actually, since you are looking into purchasing an 802.11n device, I am skeptical. There is no ratification. It is still only a proposal and can lead into some issues. However, I would easily procure the PCIe version due to the very fact of it being more robust in many ways than PCI, technically speaking. Such as lower latencies to memory, a higher clock, better power management, and better concurrent transactions to target device and system. Knowing that 802.11n, none ratified version, is to hit 70Mb/s to 250Mb/s I would rather PCIe, easily.