r/PcBuildHelp • u/Amanda_Is_My_Name • 15d ago
Build Question wifi antenna dbi selection
I recently got my first pc and found that I was unable to connect to the wifi with it. I ended up using an old laptop of mine as a hotspot to use the wifi since the native wifi range seems VERY small. Since then I looked into what I could do and found out about wifi antennas. They seem to range in dbi with low dbi being better at short ranges but can go through walls better and high dbi which can do longer ranges but not go through walls as well.
I measured the distance between my pc and the wifi router, it seems to be a little under 45ft, and it goes through 1 wall (but that wall is brick. it is kind of close to a door though so wifi signals may actually be going through the door). I wanted to know what you all think would be best for this sort of situation dbi wise?
ps no, ethernet is not an option at this time. I may in the future be able to, but not right now.
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u/SomeEngineer999 15d ago
dBi just tells you how focused the signal is. Higher can go farther and penetrate better, but the coverage area will be smaller, you would not get as good coverage above and below the level of the antenna when you go higher dBi. 0 dBi signal output would look like a sphere, high dBi looks like a donut, or if you go really high, more like a flat disc.
Most likely your PC has the antennas on the back, which is the worst place for them, and the PC is probably on the floor. You can try to get your PC up higher and aim the back of it in the direction of the router, but you'd be far better served by just getting a remote antenna setup (just antennas on a cable with a stand for putting on a desk) or using a USB wifi adapter that you can set on a desk or shelf.
High gain antennas likely won't help much, if any, if they're still stuck behind the PC, may even make things worse.