ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP Mobo - poor wifi

[Puncr0c]

Even though my previous PC had a separate wifi card, i chose the ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP mobo and figured having the wifi builtin would keep my case neater and free up a precious PCI slot (there aren't many on the P5B anyways).

I set up the PC over xmas and tried out a few games (BF2142 and COD2). At first, the wifi seemed to work fine, but then I noticed regular lag spikes about every 50-60 seconds or so. In BF2142, this would manifest itself as everyone (including my player) warping around suddenly (and mostly resulting in my death ). In COD2 I switched on the lagometer and sure enough a block of full yellow lagout bar would appear for about 2 seconds (and my ping would shoot up whilst this was happening).

So I tried fiddling with the settings and channels etc, but it was the same. I then tried a long CAT5 cable straight into the router to make sure it wasnt something else, and sure enough that worked perfectly. I decided to try my old Belkin wireless card in my new rig - hey presto, everything's fine.

Funny thing is, I still notice with the COD2 lagometer that I get little spikes of lag every 50-60 seconds, but they're just tiny blips that dont affect the gameplay - its almost as if the card can just handle it better or something.

I guess if you're not using the wifi connection for gaming or any other constant data streaming, then u probably wouldn't notice.

Anyway, the moral to this thread is - the Asus P5B on-board wifi sux, don't consider this a feature if you intend to buy this particular mobo. Everything else seems fine about the mobo though, so I'm still happy with my purchase.

[shaithis]

The REAL moral of the story is:

Wireless isn't for gamers.

Wireless Keyboards, mice and network connections will never get between me and my games

[HoldenBurn1000]

The REAL moral of the story is:

Wireless isn't for gamers.

Wireless Keyboards, mice and network connections will never get between me and my games

I 100% agree with the Wifi connection not being for games but a decent wireless keyboard and mouse and work just as well. My flat mate has a wirless logitech mouse and it is mm perfect in every game he plays.

[shaithis]

I always have the batteries fail at precisely the wrong time, hence I vowed never to use them again.

[HoldenBurn1000]

Fair comment. But on the mouse it has the quick swapp recharge batteries. takes about 2 seconds to change so not that bad.

Anyway back on point I suggest goin wired for the connection if it is possible. I have had to run a 30ft RJ45 for this reason! CSS sucks with lag! As does anything.

[EtheAv8r]

I am going to be trying a HomePlug this weekend- to save having to get 3 bedrooms wired whisch will probably be a 'no no', and comparing it with WiFi, which is in place already.

[IAmATeaf]

What type of wireless card is the Belkin, PCI or USB external? As the WiFi on the P5B is connected to the USB AFAIK.

[Puncr0c]

The Belkin's a PCI card - do u think that could've made any difference?

I agree about the statement about wired versus wireless products in general - they're more hassle than they're worth. Unfortunately in my house, the phone line is on the opposite side of the house and it would be far too impracticle to get a wire over.

I'm with you on the mouse and keyboard front - I think wireless peripherals only have a purpose if you genuinely work away from your actual pc or monitor - for example sitting back in a comfy chair or whatever. If the mouse and keyboard is on the desk with the PC, its almost a waste of technology just to save the hassle of 2 relatively thin wires. Plus with the horror stories you hear it almost seems pointless.

[CrazyMonkey]

I do agree with WiFi sucking for gaming but as said some of us have to use it as its far to difficult or silly to get it wired.

My wireless lasermouse has been a treat since i got it, doesnt miss a beat. Only thing is sometimes ill load into windows and it will forget my mouse for a while then it takes around 2 mins to come back.

It did have a charger for it but i lost it :S

[DannagE]

I also had problems with the wifi on the P5B when playing BF2142 and other games. In the end I stopped using it and wired myself in again. It might be worth checking on the Asus forums when I get home to see if there is a driver problem.

Dan

[pmanington]

I had a similar problem but after a week of moving the antenna round i now get a decent signal all the time. It does seem to be very sensitive though so I do hope ASUS update the drivers soon.

[finlay666]

Anyway, the moral to this thread is - the Asus P5B on-board wifi sux, don't consider this a feature if you intend to buy this particular mobo. Everything else seems fine about the mobo though, so I'm still happy with my purchase.

mine is absolutely fine, pings less than 50 on uk servers, rarely lagging bacuase of me

did you have it configured properly? the starting mode does suck quite badly...

you could always replace the antenna as its a bit poor unless touching something big and metal like my desk lol

[Puncr0c]

Yeh I tried everything - moving the antenae around, tweaking all the config options etc.

My ping was fairly stable (around 40-50) most of the time whilst playing online games, it was that it would just spike every 50-60 seconds and i'd completely drop out for about 2 seconds. So the games where still playable and I would imagine some people may even learn to live with it, but I just found it irritating (especially cos I had wireless working fine in my old PC).