ASUS PCE-AC66 Extreme Performance AC Wireless Adapter Unboxing & First Look Linus Tech Tips

The video provides an in-depth unboxing and first look at the ASUS PCE-AC66 Extreme Performance Wireless PCIe adapter. Linus explains the product positioning, clarifying common misconceptions about the 5G naming and emphasizing the card’s real-world throughput potential, up to 1750 megabits per second when combining the 1300 Mbps AC link with 450 Mbps N, thanks to a PCIe-based design. He highlights the card’s beefy cooling solution and the high-grade chipset that mirrors what you’d find in dedicated routers, which is intended to support higher performance and stability than USB-based alternatives. The packaging is shown in detail, including the detachable antennas and the magnetized, adjustable base that enables mounting the antennas in several configurations, either directly on the card or on an external stand. Linus also discusses dual-band operation on 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz, and how the 5 GHz band helps reduce interference from common devices, while acknowledging the need for compatibility with 2.4 GHz networks. The practical installation options are demonstrated, including the two antenna mounting setups and the magnetically attached base, with commentary on ease of use and potential benefits for visibility and signal reach. He concludes with expectations for real-world performance and teases future coverage, including a potential NCIX Tech Tips episode to further showcase the card, while noting the included low-profile adapter for different PC builds.

Topics · technology · hardware · unboxing · wireless networking · pc components