Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 (Gig+) With Bluetooth require USB Header?

Hi All

Just wondering

Does this M.2 card require a USB Header on the motherboard as I know some WIFI/Bluetooth adaptor requires USB HEADER?

Many thanks

 

You mean this one?

No, it doesn't require a USB header. If your device already has an existing m.2 WiFi card you should just be able to swap them around.

 

sweet that is what I thought and found it thank you very much

 

Does your motherboard have a m.2 2230 compatible slot? Easy trap to fall into as most models don't and many people just assume their m.2 slot/s on their motherboard take 2230 cards. I have two m.2 slots on my motherboard and both don't take 2230 cards (solved with a cheap adapter that plugs into the USB header on the motherboard ).

 

Yeah I was warned by the shop when I picked up and was able to return it thanks

 

M.2 2230 is just the size of the card and doesn't tell much about the slot compatibility. Even if you have a M.2 2230 compatible slot but is keyed M, the AX200 will not work in it as it is keyed E+A.

As a very general rule any M.2 slots situated under the CPU and parallel with the PCI-E slots are your storage M.2 slots that will be keyed M or B. Hence M.2 WiFi cards (keyed E or E+A) will not work in M or B keyed slots. More info here about M.2 key ID's: here.

Unless your motherboard already came with a pre-installed WiFi card (motherboards/laptops 4th gen or older will be mini PCI-E form factor - different to M.2 altogether) then you'll need a M.2 E key to PCI-E adapter. Sorry if I didn't explain it earlier.

 

Ahhh that's what I meant and you're 100% right - 2230 is fine but the AX200 is keyed different (as you explained) to most mainstream motherboards, hence needing the adapter.

I should clarify my wording too in my post above - the cheap Ebay adapter I used to solve the key issue plugs into the existing m.2 slot on my motherboard but then the adapter has a wire out of it which you need to plug into a USB header slot on your motherboard too.

This was the adapter I used - for some reason, I keep stupidly building the family PCs with micro ATX boards (they always seem to be on sale) so using the other PCIE slots on the board is out as the stupidly large graphics cards that I always seem to buy, covers the PCIE slots.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/384822247209

 

What is the built-in wifi built into my motherboard thanks
h170n -wifi

 

Intel 8260NGW, E+A keyed.

Your M.2 WiFi module slot is E keyed so the AX200 should have been a direct swap after unplugging the antenna connectors. Do not use the M.2 slot located on the rear of the board for the WiFi card- this is M keyed for SSD.

 

Buggar I was correct the first time haha

 

Thank you no regrets the place I brought the 1st m.2 WAS FOR CARD ONLY NO ANTENNA