There are a number of methods a computer user can use to choose an internal network card. As noted above, many current computers have internal network cards built in, but people can explore upgrading their connection. Below are some factors to keep in mind when choosing an internal network card.
USB Connection Speed
Before a computer user purchases an internal network card, he or she should determine the speed of the USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection. External Ethernet cards will simply plug into the USB connection and make for an easy installation. If computers have a slower USB speed, it will affect the speed of the internal network card, so computer users should be sure the two sides match.
Wired or Wireless
After the USB connection speed is established, computer users will need to choose between a wired and wireless connection.
If a wired connection is used, the USB Ethernet card should plug into the USB connection of the computer. Wireless Ethernet cards are designed slightly differently, so one cannot use the same Ethernet card for both a wired and wireless connection. Both wire and wireless Ethernet cards can be purchased as internal or external applications. There are also Ethernet cards that can be configured for both wired and wireless networks.
Matching the Letter of the Router with the Card
Routers have labels and the Ethernet card should be similarly labeled. One way to eliminate a mismatch of card and router is to purchase both pieces of hardware from the same manufacturer (see below). If the hardware does not match, a connection may not be able to provide its maximum transfer rate. The labels are generally one of the following: 801.11, followed by a, b, g, or n.