Intel Wireless-AC 9260 M.2 replacing a Realtek RTL 8821CE WLAN Wi-Fi NGFF/M.2

lacamida · ‎02-14-2021

Upgrading from a Realtek RTL 8821CE PCie (1X1) WLAN NGFF/M.2 card in my HP Pavilion 590-p0057c Desktop. I verified tonight that this is a 1 antenna WLAN Wi-Fi card.

I would like to upgrade to the Intel Wireless-AC 9260 M.2 (2X2= 2 antennas).

Can someone help me validate that this Pavilion can/will work with a 2 antenna WLANNGFF/M.2 Wi-Fi card such as the AC 9260? Is there any issue with the card pinouts being different? They both look like they are keyed the same.

Thank you so much!

Michael

REALTEK RTL 8821CE

INTEL WIRELESS -AC 9260

n_scott_pearson · ‎02-15-2021

I am going to give you two answers for this,

For proper performance, you need two antennas. You should be adding a second one as you add this adapter. You can purchase replacement internal antennas on Amazon, amongst other places.
Until you do #1, the single antenna should be connected to the connector marked 'Main'. You will be operating in a degraded mode while set up this way.

Hope this helps,

...S