I'm building a PC for my younger brother as a gift using an ASRock z790 pg sonic motherboard, which I believe doesn't come with built-in Wi-Fi. However, it has an M.2 Wi-Fi slot and antenna cutouts (at least from what I've seen in some posts; the manual is a bit vague). I'm researching M.2 cards, but I've come across many users saying I should skip it altogether. Also, a lot of cards on Amazon are labeled just for laptops, which confuses me. The motherboard manual mentions it has a '1 x M.2 Socket (Key E),' supporting 2230 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth PCIe Wi-Fi modules and Intel's integrated options. I'm looking at the Intel AX210 Tri-Band card, but I noticed it has both A and E keys and doesn't come with connectors or antennas. I'm uncertain about compatibility and whether I should be using a PCIe Wi-Fi card instead. How do those function, and how can I ensure they fit without blocking the graphics card? I'm feeling quite lost and would appreciate any suggestions!
1 Answer
Honestly, I don't get why some people suggest going PCIe. M.2 and PCIe are similar, but M.2 tends to be a bit cheaper and saves you a PCIe slot. The A+E key works, but just remember to get one that includes antennas if you go that route.
Thanks for the tips! I appreciate the clarification on the M.2 card setup, sounds a bit easier than I thought!
While that's true, PCIe cards do have some advantages in simplicity. So, just to clarify: the Z790 PG Sonic does have an M.2 Wi-Fi slot, and it’ll work with any M.2 Wi-Fi card that fits—like the A/E-Key ones. It’s also got holes in the I/O shield for the antenna. You'll need both the M.2 Wi-Fi card and the antenna, plus possibly a standoff and screw for the M.2 card.