Can’t fit wifi card because GPU is in the way

39 Comments

  1. CorruptDictator

    You can actually plug the wifi card into the extra x16 slot and it should still work fine if you don’t need it for anything else. Otherwise you can look into something USB.

  2. UlliSenpai

    Do you have another m.2 slot? Put one in there

  3. TheWooSkis

    This is a kinda of out there solution. But if your home wifi supports mesh routers you could get another router and then Ethernet in! It might not be the cheapest solution.

    Alternatively you could get a pci vertical mount for your GPU and move that out the way, but looks pretty tight in there!

    I also noticed there’s a mesh back plate above the GPU slot. With an extender could you put the wifi card above the GPU?

  4. i-evade-bans-13

    you should not be using wireless on a gaming pc.

    wireless is for apple tv and scrolling tiktok

  5. As others said: a 1x pcie riser – but make sure you get one that has a 90° directly after the plug – or it might not fit behind the graphics card.

    Another option is, if you have an pcie enabled m.2 slot, you can fit an laptop m.2 pcie card. – but keep in mind you need to feed the antennas (and cables) somewhere.

    And the final option is USB. But be aware that the tiny adapters in usb-stick size are usually with crappy antennas. I’d go with one with external antennas instead.

    My personal favorite would be the m.2 solution – but that’s me. And I rather would try to have a cable instead.

  6. coffeejn

    Serious question: Why do you want to use WIFI with a desktop? Using a network cable is more reliable than any WIFI connection.
    Do you need the WIFI card for Bluetooth?

    Edit: I’d also check if your motherboard does not have a slot for m.2 wifi card (same as those in laptops) with antenna that sticks out from the back plate. Those are about 20-25$ and work just as well if you have the antenna.

    Could you provide the motherboards model number / name?

  7. You can get an external wifi card which is what I use. It just plugs into a USB slot.

  8. Clever_Angel_PL

    why is the gpu not in the uppermost slot?

  9. Haruko_time_consumer

    Wifi cards for slots this small also fits in the wider ones and remain functional. So try the lower pcie slot

  10. You could also get a router that supports custom firmware like DDWRT. I used this once to connect the router to my Ethernet port and use the router as my wireless network adaptor as it’s an option within DDWRT. Honestly it was the most stable and performant wifi connection I’ve ever had! 

  11. cburgess7

    computer manufacturers really do be designing the most compatibility breaking shit these days, as far as physical compatibility is concerned. “We designed these parts for gamers” *gpu blocks every slot below it*

  12. JumpingCoconutMonkey

    Sounds like a great opportunity to run an ethernet cable and ditch the wifi altogether!

  13. Good lord we are in 2024 and the usb connector isn’t yet redesigned

  14. datbeowulfisreal

    If you want to do any kind of online gaming, there really is no place for anything wireless…

  15. matiegaming

    Do you have one of those 2 golden pins on your io panel

  16. You sure your motherboard does t have it built in?

  17. JamesMackenzie1234

    Put it on the larger black slot below, it will work the same.

  18. brenden1140

    it will fit in that bottom 16x slot as well.

  19. Powerline extenders give you a wired internet connection through existing electrical plug sockets.

  20. 1Pawelgo

    Sucks to be you I guess ¯_(ツ)_/¯. Buy a standard ATX with more PCI-E slots and a bigger case next time.

  21. Liferescripted

    Looks like the B550m doesn’t have a separate wifi m.2 connector or io connector, so you either get a PCIe riser for your current wifi card, or go with a USB wifi card.

    Alternatively you could get a wifi extender that you can plug an ethernet cable into. Or use one of the powerline adapters if your house is set up for it. These would cost the most, but would probably be the most effective and lowest latency options, especially the powerline adapter.

  22. XenoRyet

    This is is why I still like full ATX.

    You could do something like get a riser cable, but that feels a bit silly for a wifi card. Probably just need to get a USB wifi device, or find a way to do wired Ethernet.

  23. kr4ckenm3fortune

    If that board is what I think it is…it should have two m.2 slot…one for nvme and one for wifi.

  24. TimidGoat

    I had this exact problem when I upgraded my GPU last month. I decided my best course of action would be a USB wifi adapter. Got a TP-Link Archer AX1800 and to my surprise I get much better connection speeds from it than I did my Asus PCI-E WiFi card.

  25. Mastasmoker

    Does your motherboard have built in wifi? Just use that or get a usb wifi adapter. Or plug in an ethernet cable.

  26. XplodingMoJo

    You can get an USB Wifi dongle. Got one too on my HTPC, works basically flawlessly.

  27. FinnishArmy

    How does this mother board not have built in wifi

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