I'm getting ready to move at the end of the month, and I won't be able to run an Ethernet cable to my PC in the new house. It doesn't have WiFi, and I typically play online games like Arc Raiders, Call of Duty, and Battlefield, so I really need a reliable connection. I've been looking into WiFi adapters and powerline adapters, but I'm unsure which would provide better performance. What are my best options?
7 Answers
If your new place has coaxial cable, a MoCA adapter could be a game-changer. It worked wonders for me when I was two floors away from my router—super reliable connection!
Absolutely! MoCA is my go-to; it’s been fantastic!
Consider getting a USB Wi-Fi antenna for now. I just bought one last year, and it worked fine until I could run Ethernet. It’s really not as bad as people say!
Definitely a good stop-gap until you can install a proper cable. Just be sure to get a decent model!
Why can't you run an Ethernet cable? Just curious!
Do you have carpeting in your new house? I managed to hide a 100ft Cat6 cable along the baseboards, so it’s completely out of sight, which worked way better than powerline for me!
If you're considering options, powerline adapters can be a good fallback. They work decently in many homes, but results can be mixed depending on your house's wiring. If you decide to go this route, just order from somewhere with a good return policy in case it doesn't work well for you.
I’ve found powerline adapters to be unreliable. Have you thought about using MoCA? It tends to be faster and more reliable, as long as you have coaxial outlets available.
I used a Netgear powerline adapter recently, and it worked like a charm for my setup!
You could also try running a flat Ethernet cable through a window if needed. Just ensure it's rated for outdoor use—sounds unusual, but it works!
I had a similar dilemma, and I solved it with a mesh network setup. Placed one node close to my PC and connected it directly—speeds were impressive and way better than my previous Wi-Fi dongle!
I second this! I have a similar mesh setup and it works seamlessly—cable your PC to one of the nodes and get speeds close to a hardwired connection.
Totally agree; I’ve got TP-Link Deco units scattered around, and plugging my PC into one gets me fantastic speeds!
I switched to mesh networking too, and it's a solid solution when you can hardwire into the nodes!
I’m using a MoCA solution too, and I love it! It's perfect for getting solid internet throughout my house.