Setting up WiFi on Gigabyte Z170X UD5, Sierra?

[bhuether]

Hi, been a whle since I set up my Sierra system. That was a few years ago, and I recall then there were only certain WiFi cards named as being supported.

Curious if things have changed. Are there USB based WiFi adapters known to work well? Or are PCIe cards better?

Thanks

 

[UtterDisbelief]

Hi, been a whle since I set up my Sierra system. That was a few years ago, and I recall then there were only certain WiFi cards named as being supported.

Curious if things have changed. Are there USB based WiFi adapters known to work well? Or are PCIe cards better?

Thanks

Hi there.

I moved your thread to the Network sub-forum.

Broadcom still offers the best all round compatibility although some more rarely used models have been deprecated by Apple.

For the most recent macOS versions they also dropped support for Atheros chipsets. Some people have found ways to reinstate that compatibility but it is only ever going to be a temporary fix.

PCIe based Broadcom cards are still the best option as they have great compatibility and include Bluetooth too. You need these for Continuity and Handoff. Airdrop too it seems, though some have, I've heard, reported success with other combinations.

As for USB adapters, they are usually only wifi - no BT so you need a separate adapter - but you can use certain TP-Link models with their own beta Mac drivers, or the Open Source Realtek driver developed by an independent coder.

Finally a lot of Intel wireless adapters, the ones that usually come with wifi enabled motherboards, are now supported through the efforts of another independent coding team.

 

[Edhawk]

PCIe Broadcom cards are the best option for native support, as UtterDisbelief said.

But you can also use some Intel WiFi/BT cards now using some new kexts and/or apps - https://github.com/OpenIntelWireless/itlwm.

You need to have a compatible Intel card, a list of which can be found here - https://openintelwireless.github.io/itlwm/Compat.html

Not all Apple features work with an Intel Card so a Broadcom card that Apple use would be a better option.

But if you already have a compatible Intel card and are not looking for all the Apple functions to work, then you might be better served using the intel card.

 

[bhuether]

Thanks for the quick replies! Currently in Moscow, there are a few chain stores here that sell computer related stuff. Are there certain Broadcom cards that are fairly new and recommended?

 

[bhuether]

Just read here:

[README] Common (some unsolved) Problems in 10.12 Sierra

The problems listed here are likely to be experienced by anyone installing macOS Sierra 10.12 on a laptop. This is NOT a troubleshooting thread. Please do not ask questions regarding your specific problem in this thread. Open a separate thread instead. Only if you have a question regarding the...

www.tonymacx86.com

Since I am running Sierra, is this to say that even Broadcom cards will require the mentioned darkvoid patch?

thanks!

 

[Edhawk]

Fenvi T919 is the most commonly used pre-built card, which will work in El Capitan and newer - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07VCCZS54/?tag=tonymacx86-21. You should be able to find the same card in Russia.

All my Broadcom WiFi/BT cards are original Apple cards fitted in to a PCIe adapter, like this:


Where the PCIe adapter and Apple Broadcom card were bought separately

The Bluetooth module requires a spare USB2 motherboard header connector for it to work. This Header also needs to be included in the system USB Port Configuration.

All I need to use is AirportFixup.kext and that only so the correct country code is used by my system(s). No need for any patches in the config.plist or any other WiFi/BT related kexts.

The post you linked is from 2016. Things have moved on since that post was created. It is also aimed at Laptop users, who have a more limited range of WiFi/BT cards they can use. You won't need to follow that guide.

 

[bhuether]

Thanks - will look into Fenvi option. And if I understand, even with Intel, if I buy a card whose chipset is listed here

Compatibility | OpenIntelWireless

Documentation for OpenIntelWireless

openintelwireless.github.io

then there are instructions to make it work?

thanks

 

[bhuether]

As far as Intel variants, I see this 9560 intel card:

Wi-Fi модуль Intel 9560NGW купить в Москве | Бытовая электроника | Авито

Wi-Fi модуль Intel 9560NGW: объявление о продаже в Москве на Авито. Wi-Fi модуль Intel 9560NGW

www.avito.ru

Does the NGW matter? On the compatibility list I see some cards where NGW is specified. For 9560, it is listed just as 9560.

thanks

 

[Edhawk]

NGW stands for 'Next Generation Wireless', so I don't think the NGW addition to the card name matters.

What matters most is the Generation of the card and the Key type.

• There are three 9560 cards in that compatibility list, Gen1 and Gen2 cards are supported.
• The Gen3 card is unsupported at this time.
• It is a E key CNVI card, that matters, as your motherboard needs to have a compatible connector for the card.
• Or you need to use a PCIe adapter that works with the Intel card.

I still think you would be better served getting hold of a Fenvi Broadcom card such as one of these:

Fenvi AC1200 - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T9JD93Y/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Fenvi T919 - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VCCZS54/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

 

[bhuether]

NGW stands for 'Next Generation Wireless', so I don't think the NGW addition to the card name matters.

What matters most is the Generation of the card and the Key type.

• There are three 9560 cards in that compatibility list, Gen1 and Gen2 cards are supported.
• The Gen3 card is unsupported at this time.
• It is a E key CNVI card, that matters, as your motherboard needs to have a compatible connector for the card.
• Or you need to use a PCIe adapter that works with the Intel card.

I still think you would be better served getting hold of a Fenvi Broadcom card such as one of these:

Fenvi AC1200 - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T9JD93Y/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Fenvi T919 - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VCCZS54/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Seems with the Fenvi I have to wait 3-4 weeks via AliExpress to Moscow. I see there are TP Link Archer cards readily available here like T5E that have Broadcom chipsets. Maybe those are doable?