Do generic "WiFi-Ready" motherboards exist?

[cst1992]

This is probably being too optimistic, but do motherboards exist that have the M.2 E-slot without a Wi-Fi card already in it?

AFAIK the "Wi-Fi" boards that are currently in the market are simply boards with the slot with a third-party card installed in them. You could even use the same cards in a laptop.

So, do boards exist that allow you to put in a card of your choice?

 

[LordFreak]

I think Asrock make a lot of those.

 

[Assimilator]

You can find such boards but generally only on the lower end. However there's absolutely nothing stopping you from swapping out the WiFi card your board shipped with, for a different one. Despite the impression that the board manufacturers try to give, these cards aren't a special form factor nor are they locked into the system e.g. via BIOS; as long as you match the form factor (M.2 on AMD boards, CNVio on Intel) it's a straightforward swap.

 

[VuurVOS]

You can find such boards but generally only on the lower end. However there's absolutely nothing stopping you from swapping out the WiFi card your board shipped with, for a different one. Despite the impression that the board manufacturers try to give, these cards aren't a special form factor nor are they locked into the system e.g. via BIOS; as long as you match the form factor (M.2 on AMD boards, CNVio on Intel) it's a straightforward swap.

Some of us even buy a motherboard with WiFi because it is cheaper than without WiFi. In my case Gigabyte B550 AORUS PRO AC was like €20,- cheaper than Gigabyte B550 AORUS PRO (non WiFi).
Why pay more for less?

@cst1992 Keep mind that non WiFi variants have often the same PCB but not the connector soldered on the motherboard.
Maybe an PCI-e adapter like this one is beter since you dont need to rely on motherboard for that kind of slot if you have a spare M.2 Wifi adapter:

https://www.amazon.in/Expansion-Adapter-Wireless-Resistant-WINXP/dp/B0CC61FFHM

 

[VuurVOS]

Entirely false, every motherboard that ships with WiFi does so via a discrete add-in card that connects to the board via a standard M.2 (NGFF) PCIe slot. This is done to allow the board manufacturers to swap these cards out as needed, without changing the board itself - but it also allows end-users to do the same.

The only wrinkle is that these cards will generally be hidden behind the motherboard's IO shield cover thing (which is one of the reasons these covers are so tall nowadays - no it's not for cooling). So you will likely have to unscrew and remove that to swap out thee card, but that's hardly difficult and it doesn't void warranty in any way.

Entirely WRONG! Dont sell this as a fact if you dont prove it! Not every motherboard has the connector!
At least I did my home work before buying my motherboard and making the statement earlier
The reason is simple, a connector cost money and having multiple different PCB cost also money!

Check this:

Source: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/gigabyte-b550-aorus-pro/15.html

Source: https://tweakers.net/reviews/8076/5...e-b550-gaming-x-aorus-elite-en-aorus-pro.html

An example with a different brand which has WiFi variant of this motherboard (MSI B550 Mortar):

Source: https://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/msi_mag_b550m_mortar/

 

[cst1992]

Some of us even buy a motherboard with WiFi because it is cheaper than without WiFi. In my case Gigabyte B550 AORUS PRO AC was like €20,- cheaper than Gigabyte B550 AORUS PRO (non WiFi).
Why pay more for less?

@cst1992 Keep mind that non WiFi variants have often the same PCB but not the connector soldered on the motherboard.
Maybe an PCI-e adapter like this one is beter since you dont need to rely on motherboard for that kind of slot if you have a spare M.2 Wifi adapter:

https://www.amazon.in/Expansion-Adapter-Wireless-Resistant-WINXP/dp/B0CC61FFHM

I can one-up you on that.
Sellers know that buyers who want those cards in their system might not (more than likely) already have a slot for the card to go in, so they just ship the adapter as a given. I think that's actually more to the AliExpress guys' credit than the local sellers' that they (sellers, that is) purchase in bulk from and sell at a markup.

I bought this $30 card for my own motherboard: https://www.amazon.in/Tri-Band-Internal-5400Mbps-Wireless-Bluetooth/dp/B0B51C69DB/

I'm pretty sure it comes with a M.2-to-PCIex1 adapter.

 

[Assimilator]

Entirely WRONG! Dont sell this as a fact if you dont prove it! Not every motherboard has the connector!
At least I did my home work before buying my motherboard and making the statement earlier
The reason is simple, a connector cost money and having multiple different PCB cost also money!

Check this:
View attachment 324462
Source: https://www.techpowerup.com/review/gigabyte-b550-aorus-pro/15.html
View attachment 324464
Source: https://tweakers.net/reviews/8076/5...e-b550-gaming-x-aorus-elite-en-aorus-pro.html

An example with a different brand which has WiFi variant of this motherboard (MSI B550 Mortar):
View attachment 324465
Source: https://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/msi_mag_b550m_mortar/

Huh, thanks, I stand corrected! Have removed my previous post to prevent spreading misinformation.

 

[cst1992]

@VuurVOS I think @Assimilator is saying the same thing as you - that the WiFi board comes with a discrete card, or it doesn't have the slot on it at all.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

Some do have the connector.

Right below the main M.2 slot:

 

[cst1992]

Yeah, to the left of that "PG" there: "M.2 WiFi".

 

[ir_cow]

I think its rare these days for a MB that doesn't have WIFi to have the slot solder on. However exception is if it says Wi-Fi ready and does not include Wi-Fi. So BIOSTAR basically..