Are you tired of slow internet speed or weak Wi-Fi signals? If yes, then upgrading to a new Wi-Fi adapter could be a solution. Asus, a well-known brand for computer hardware, offers two popular Wi-Fi adapters – Asus PCE-AC88 and Asus PCE-AC68. But which one is better for your needs? Let’s compare Asus PCE-AC88 vs Asus PCE-AC68 based on their features, performance, and compatibility.
Quick Comparison
Last update on 2024-12-21 at 16:06 / Paid links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
| Features | ASUS PCE-AC88 | ASUS PCE-AC68 |
|---|---|---|
| Network Speeds | Dual-band 4×4 AC3100 Wi-Fi with speeds up to 2100Mbps (5GHz band) and 1000Mbps 2.4GHz band | Dual-Band 3×3 AC1900 WiFi with speeds up to 1300Mbps (5GHz band) and 600Mbps 2.4GHz band |
| Antenna Placement | External magnetic antenna base allows flexible antenna placement to maximize coverage | External magnetic antenna base allows flexible antenna placement to maximize coverage |
| Antenna Compatibility | R-SMA antenna connectors enable compatibility with a variety of aftermarket antennas | Flexible extended antenna placement helps you pinpoint the best reception in your environment |
| Heat Sink | Custom heatsink effectively dissipates heat for improved stability and reliability | Custom heatsink dissipates heat for more stable and reliable non-stop operation |
| Operating Systems | Windows 10 86×64, Windows 7 86×64 | Windows 8.1 (32bit/64bit), Windows 8 (32bit/64bit), Windows 7 (32bit/64bit), Windows Vista (32bit/64bit), Windows XP (32bit/64bit) |
| MU-MIMO technology | Yes | No |
| Network Chipset | – | 5th generation 802.11ac chipset |
| Country of Origin | – | China |
| Coverage | Better coverage with 150% greater coverage | High-power design clears up dead zones with 150% greater coverage |
Design and Features
Both Asus PCE-AC88 and Asus PCE-AC68 come with a heat sink and an external magnetic antenna base. The antenna base allows flexible antenna placement to maximize coverage. However, Asus PCE-AC88 comes with a more advanced feature – external magnetic antenna base with support for MU-MIMO technology. This technology enables multiple devices to connect to the Wi-Fi network simultaneously, which can be useful for households with multiple devices.
Asus PCE-AC88 has an individual antenna design that allows the antennas to attach directly to the PCIe card for compact installation. Additionally, it has R-sma antenna connectors, which makes it compatible with a variety of aftermarket antennas. On the other hand, Asus PCE-AC68 has a flexible extended antenna placement that helps you pinpoint the best reception in your environment.
Performance
Asus PCE-AC88 is a dual-band 4×4 AC3100 Wi-Fi adapter that provides speeds up to 2100Mbps on the 5GHz band and 1000Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. The adapter uses modulation-1024qam technology, which improves data transfer efficiency. Moreover, Asus PCE-AC88 comes with a custom heatsink that effectively dissipates heat for improved stability and reliability.
Asus PCE-AC68, on the other hand, is a dual-band 3×3 AC1900 Wi-Fi adapter that provides speeds up to 1.3Gbps on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. It has a high-power design that can clear up dead zones with 150% greater coverage. Like Asus PCE-AC88, it also has a custom heatsink that dissipates heat for more stable and reliable non-stop operation.
Compatibility
Asus PCE-AC88 and Asus PCE-AC68 have different compatibility requirements. Asus PCE-AC88 supports Windows 10 86×64 and Windows 7 86×64, while Asus PCE-AC68 supports Windows 8.1 (32bit/64bit), Windows 8 (32bit/64bit), Windows 7 (32bit/64bit), Windows Vista (32bit/64bit), and Windows XP (32bit/64bit).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ASUS PCE-AC88 and ASUS PCE-AC68?
The ASUS PCE-AC88 is a Dual-Band 4×4 AC3100 WiFi PCIe adapter with an external magnetic antenna base that allows flexible antenna placement to maximize coverage. It has faster network speeds of up to 2100Mbps on the 5GHz band and 1000Mbps on the 2.4GHz band, supports MU-MIMO technology, and has R-SMA antenna connectors for compatibility with aftermarket antennas.
The ASUS PCE-AC68, on the other hand, is a Dual-Band 3×3 AC1900 WiFi PCIe adapter with an external magnetic antenna base that allows flexible antenna placement to maximize coverage. It has network speeds of up to 1300Mbps on the 5GHz band and 600Mbps on the 2.4GHz band, and has a 5th generation 802.11ac chipset that provides dual-band connectivity.
Do both ASUS PCE-AC88 and ASUS PCE-AC68 support Windows operating systems?
Yes, both adapters support various Windows operating systems. The ASUS PCE-AC88 supports Windows 10 86×64 and Windows 7 86×64, while the ASUS PCE-AC68 supports Windows 8.1 (32bit/64bit), Windows 8 (32bit/64bit), Windows 7 (32bit/64bit), Windows Vista (32bit/64bit), and Windows XP (32bit/64bit).
Do the ASUS PCE-AC88 and ASUS PCE-AC68 come with heat sinks?
Yes, both adapters come with custom heat sinks that effectively dissipate heat for improved stability and reliability.
Can the antennas of the ASUS PCE-AC88 and ASUS PCE-AC68 be attached directly to the PCIe card?
Yes, the ASUS PCE-AC88 and ASUS PCE-AC68 come with external magnetic antenna bases that allow flexible antenna placement. The individual antennas of the ASUS PCE-AC88 can also attach directly to the PCIe card for compact installation.
Which adapter has better coverage?
The ASUS PCE-AC88 has better coverage as it has a Dual-Band 4×4 AC3100 Wi-Fi with speeds up to 2100Mbps (5GHz band) and 1000Mbps 2.4GHz band. It also has an external magnetic antenna base that allows flexible antenna placement to maximize coverage.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, both Asus PCE-AC88 and Asus PCE-AC68 are excellent Wi-Fi adapters that offer high-speed internet and coverage. Asus PCE-AC88 has a more advanced feature with MU-MIMO technology, which can be beneficial for households with multiple devices. However, it is only compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 7. On the other hand, Asus PCE-AC68 has broader compatibility and provides up to 150% greater coverage. Ultimately, the choice between these two Wi-Fi adapters depends on your specific needs and preferences.