ASRock Releases Wi-Fi 6E Upgrade Kits for AMD & Intel Motherboards

[Uskompuf]

ASRock has recently released two new products to upgrade the network connectivity on compatible AMD & Intel motherboards with the latest Wi-FI 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 standards. The AMD upgrade kit includes a M.2 2230 PCIe module most likely featuring the MediaTek MT7921K chipset which debuted in the AYANEO handheld last year. The Intel version also includes a M.2 2230 module but featuring the CNVIo2 interface with either a AX211 or AX411 chipset limiting support to ASRock 600-Series motherboards.

These modules both support Dual Band 2x2 Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity with the AMD version certified for AM4 motherboards going back to the ASRock A320TM-ITX. The upgrade kits each feature a set of two antennas and extension cables along with a plastic cover and mounting screw for the modules. The listings don't contain any pricing information and retailers haven't listed either kit for purchase yet.



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[Yttersta]

I thought these cards were just any M.2 PCI-e cards. Why would they need an AMD/Intel specification between the two?

 

[aktpu]

I thought these cards were just any M.2 PCI-e cards. Why would they need an AMD/Intel specification between the two?

Looking at the pictures, the keying looks to be different between Intel and AMD. PCIe vs M.2

 

[AusWolf]

I have an Intel AX200 m.2 card that works in any PC that has an m.2 slot. Why would I need a specific set that only works in a specific system?

 

[Mike Chen]

The article mentioned that the Intel version uses CNVIo2 interface, which is Intel-only.
Check the Intel website for reference:

What Are the Intel® Integrated Connectivity (CNVi) and Companion...

Explains the Intel® Integrated Connectivity using CNVi and a companion RF module.

www.intel.com

 

[AusWolf]

The article mentioned that the Intel version uses CNVIo2 interface, which is Intel-only.
Check the Intel website for reference:

What Are the Intel® Integrated Connectivity (CNVi) and Companion...

Explains the Intel® Integrated Connectivity using CNVi and a companion RF module.

www.intel.com

One more reason to stick to my trusty AX200 module which is PCI-e.

 

[Mike Chen]

I have an Intel AX200 m.2 card that works in any PC that has an m.2 slot. Why would I need a specific set that only works in a specific system?

Yes AX200 will work on all platforms with usable M.2 slot, becaust it's standard PCIe adapter. Corresponding CNVi variant is AX201; it won't work if installed on non-Intel platform. The CNVi module *should* be cheaper than standard adapter, for it contains less components (some of them are moved into the CPU), but the actual price depends on availability.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Looking at the pictures, the keying looks to be different between Intel and AMD. PCIe vs M.2

The AMD one is keyed for A/E, with the Intel one only being keyed for E type slots.

I thought these cards were just any M.2 PCI-e cards. Why would they need an AMD/Intel specification between the two?

They're not platform specific, the AMD card has an AMD/Mediatek WiFi chip and the Intel one has an Intel WiFi chip. However, as mentioned, Intel has moved to CNVi, which means if you have an older Intel system, this Intel card won't work with them, while the AMD card most likely would.

One more reason to stick to my trusty AX200 module which is PCI-e.

There are PCIe versions of the more recent Intel WiFi chips as well.

Got to love this:

CNVio2 is not backward compatible with CNVio. A computer with a CNVio slot cannot accept a CNVio2 card and a CNVio2 slot will not support a CNVio card.

CNVi - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[AusWolf]

Got to love this:

"CNVio2 is not backward compatible with CNVio. A computer with a CNVio slot cannot accept a CNVio2 card and a CNVio2 slot will not support a CNVio card."

CNVi - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Oh Jesus...

I thought CNVio was only used as an integrated solution on motherboards.

 

[Pepamami]

I thought these cards were just any M.2 PCI-e cards. Why would they need an AMD/Intel specification between the two?

AX211 supported only by Intel CPUs
For AMD u need AX210, but AMD one is using RZ608 (mediatek mt7921k) and RZ616 right now.

 

[stimpy88]

I just upgraded my brand new Asus Tuf-book laptop from an atrocious MediaTek wifi card, to the Intel AX210. The hardware was fine, but the drivers sucked. I only do Intel network cards. I've tried all the others, and their drivers are what lets them down.

 

[Mike Chen]

I just upgraded my brand new Asus Tuf-book laptop from an atrocious MediaTek wifi card, to the Intel AX210. The hardware was fine, but the drivers sucked. I only do Intel network cards. I've tried all the others, and their drivers are what lets them down.

Yeah I have an ASUS Zephyrus G14 (2020), that uses AX200 and works fine. But the 2021 model uses MediaTek wifi adapter, that stops working so frequently to become a FAQ on the subreddit.

 

[jpvalverde85]

They are exclusive to each platform because generic m.2 combo use PCIe (for the Wireless NIC) and USB (for the Bluetooth device), but Intel ones use proprietary CNVi (although i think they could use generic combo m.2 modules too).

 

[stimpy88]

They are exclusive to each platform because generic m.2 combo use PCIe (for the Wireless NIC) and USB (for the Bluetooth device), but Intel ones use proprietary CNVi (although i think they could use generic combo m.2 modules too).

Exactly, the AX210 is fully compatible with the AMD platform, and works the way you describe. The AX211 is the CNVIo2 version, which requires an Intel Chipset. Apart from physical connectivity requirements, the two devices are exactly the same. I wonder if AMD can update to support the CNVIo2 standard, or if it's Intel locking down the platform...

I'm not the biggest Intel fan, but you can't beat their networking chips and drivers.

 

[trsttte]

Exactly, the AX210 is fully compatible with the AMD platform, and works the way you describe. The AX211 is the CNVIo2 version, which requires an Intel Chipset. Apart from physical connectivity requirements, the two devices are exactly the same. I wonder if AMD can update to support the CNVIo2 standard, or if it's Intel locking down the platform...

I'm not the biggest Intel fan, but you can't beat their networking chips and drivers.

CNVIo2 moves some functions from the wireless module to the cpu/chipset so don't hold your breath on AMD ever supporting any of it

 

[Why_Me]

M.2 Key E.

 

[kapone32]

I have been buying the MSI AX3000 Wifi card for people that wanted to upgrade their WIFI to AX. As you still have to install the antennas (Which can be a real PITA) this should be no more than $35 Canadian.

MSI AX916C Dual Band Wireless PCI-E Network Adapter Card w/ 802.11ax, Bluetooth v5.0 - Wireless Network Adapters - Memory Express Inc.

www.memoryexpress.com

 

[stimpy88]

I have been buying the MSI AX3000 Wifi card for people that wanted to upgrade their WIFI to AX. As you still have to install the antennas (Which can be a real PITA) this should be no more than $35 Canadian.

MSI AX916C Dual Band Wireless PCI-E Network Adapter Card w/ 802.11ax, Bluetooth v5.0 - Wireless Network Adapters - Memory Express Inc.

www.memoryexpress.com

Unfortunately, it's based on the old Intel AX200 chip... So no 6GHz support... or Bluetooth 5.2.

But a fine buy if you don't need those features.

 

[trsttte]

Unfortunately, it's based on the old Intel AX200 chip... So no 6GHz support... or Bluetooth 5.2.

But a fine buy if you don't need those features.

Gigabyte has one with the new AX210 (msi might to but I found gigabyte first, they have a cool feature on their version, they added a usb A on the breakout board so half the motherboard header doesn't go to waste, would have been even cooler if the port was on the outside but still usable).

The thing I hate is that you need to pay ~50$ for a pcie breakout for a m.2 module that intel sells for at most 25$