Take a look at our
ThinkPads.com HOME PAGE
For those who might want to contribute to the blog, start here: Editors Alley Topic
Then contact Bill with a Private Message
ThinkPads.com HOME PAGE
For those who might want to contribute to the blog, start here: Editors Alley Topic
Then contact Bill with a Private Message
Which WiFi for T520
-
mdclow
- Freshman Member
- Posts: 85
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 2:33 pm
- Location: West Bloomfield, Michigan
- Contact:
Which WiFi for T520
I am planing my purchase of a T520 (1600 x 900 & Nvidia GPU). Which of the Wifi options should I get? I have no idea of the features/performance of any of them.
ThinkPad b/g/n
Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 (2x2 AGN)
Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3 AGN)
Intel Centrino Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250
ThinkPad b/g/n
Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 (2x2 AGN)
Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3 AGN)
Intel Centrino Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250
Michael Clow
ThinkPad T530 2359-CTO: i7-3520M (up to 3.60 GHz) 16GB RAM, 250GB Samsung 840 SSD, 15.6" 1600 x 900 LED, NVIDIA NVS 5400M Graphics with Optimus Technology
ThinkPad T60: 8744-5BU T7200(2GHz), 4GB RAM, 256GB Crucial C-300 SSD HD, 15.4in 1680x1050 LCD
ThinkPad T530 2359-CTO: i7-3520M (up to 3.60 GHz) 16GB RAM, 250GB Samsung 840 SSD, 15.6" 1600 x 900 LED, NVIDIA NVS 5400M Graphics with Optimus Technology
ThinkPad T60: 8744-5BU T7200(2GHz), 4GB RAM, 256GB Crucial C-300 SSD HD, 15.4in 1680x1050 LCD
Re: Which WiFi for T520
I went with the ThinkPad card mainly cause I'm cheap. It's a Realtek card. I mainly just use it for internet purposes and for that it works fine. I'd say the 6250 card only has value if you plan to use WiMax.
ThinkPad L14 - 2.1GHz Ryzen 4650U | 16GB | 256GB | 14" FHD | Win11P
ProBook 470 G5 - 1.6GHz Core i5 | 16GB | 2.2TB | 17" FHD | Mint
ProBook 470 G5 - 1.6GHz Core i5 | 16GB | 2.2TB | 17" FHD | Mint
Re: Which WiFi for T520
I went with the Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3 AGN). I also am cheap (according to my wife) but prefer to label myself as frugal.
I also have plaster walls in the house and wanted to ensure good signal on my deck, which is the farthest point from my router. The 6300 works hands down better than any previous wifi card in any of my personal Thinkpads or work Thinkpads. It's probably a less than $40 option - I'd personally consider it money well spent.
Thinkpad L14 gen 2 | AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 5850u | 64gb RAM | 1tb SK Hynix P31 Gold | Intel AX210
Desktop: AMD Threadripper 1950x | 64gb RAM | 512gb Samsung 970 Pro + 1tb Crucial SSD | Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | Dell S2721DGF
Previous Thinkpads: A21m, R40, X61, T410, T420, W520
Desktop: AMD Threadripper 1950x | 64gb RAM | 512gb Samsung 970 Pro + 1tb Crucial SSD | Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | Dell S2721DGF
Previous Thinkpads: A21m, R40, X61, T410, T420, W520
Re: Which WiFi for T520
+1.wolfman wrote:The 6300 works hands down better than any previous wifi card in any of my personal Thinkpads or work Thinkpads.
-
sir_synthsalot
- Sophomore Member
- Posts: 201
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2010 10:52 pm
- Location: Canada
Re: Which WiFi for T520
I know it's not exactly a scientific test but I got an extra bar on my home network upgrading from the Realtek card to the 6300. It also detects more networks with the 6300 card. Because the 6300 uses 3 antennas and the Realtek card only 1 I think you do get better signal. I'm not sure what other performance differences there are.
I'M DONE WITH THINKPADS, JUST DONE!!!
Re: Which WiFi for T520
I have a W520 w/the 6300 card. Hands down the best reception I've ever experienced on any of my machines. Good luck and enjoy.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
-
mdclow
- Freshman Member
- Posts: 85
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 2:33 pm
- Location: West Bloomfield, Michigan
- Contact:
Re: Which WiFi for T520
Thanks for the info. To me it looks like the 6300 is the way to go.
Michael Clow
ThinkPad T530 2359-CTO: i7-3520M (up to 3.60 GHz) 16GB RAM, 250GB Samsung 840 SSD, 15.6" 1600 x 900 LED, NVIDIA NVS 5400M Graphics with Optimus Technology
ThinkPad T60: 8744-5BU T7200(2GHz), 4GB RAM, 256GB Crucial C-300 SSD HD, 15.4in 1680x1050 LCD
ThinkPad T530 2359-CTO: i7-3520M (up to 3.60 GHz) 16GB RAM, 250GB Samsung 840 SSD, 15.6" 1600 x 900 LED, NVIDIA NVS 5400M Graphics with Optimus Technology
ThinkPad T60: 8744-5BU T7200(2GHz), 4GB RAM, 256GB Crucial C-300 SSD HD, 15.4in 1680x1050 LCD
Re: Which WiFi for T520
I can agree with that. I have never had the reception I'm enjoying with this T520 and the 6300 card.WA2SI wrote:I have a W520 w/the 6300 card. Hands down the best reception I've ever experienced on any of my machines. Good luck and enjoy.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
T440p Win 10 Pro 8 gig memory 500 GB ssd
T520 W7 Pro 8 GB memory
A31/p XP Pro 1 GB memory
A30/p XP Pro 1 GB memory
TP600 Win 2K 288 mb memory
701C Win 98 Don't ask
T520 W7 Pro 8 GB memory
A31/p XP Pro 1 GB memory
A30/p XP Pro 1 GB memory
TP600 Win 2K 288 mb memory
701C Win 98 Don't ask
-
SaberX
- ThinkPadder

- Posts: 1046
- Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2005 6:22 am
- Location: St John's , Newfoundland , Canada
Re: Which WiFi for T520
My buddy just got the T420s with the lowest wi fi card, the realtek card. It does have 3 antennas on it with 3 wires connected to it.sir_synthsalot wrote: Because the 6300 uses 3 antennas and the Realtek card only 1 I think you do get better signal. I'm not sure what other performance differences there are.
It's very poor card for wi fi.My buddy is looking at getting the Intel 6300-N.
On another note, i just got a T410 with wi fi intel 6200-N card and it's great.It picks up wireless singles that that other laptops could not...
Bill Wheeler
Great White North
Thinkpad T61 , T60p , T430
[Donor]
Re: Which WiFi for T520
I'm extremely happy with my 6205, but the 6300 is notably better under the right conditions (my buddy has an otherwise-matching T520 with 6300). The 6205 is still way better than what most computers have.
HP EliteBook 8460w/Scientific Linux 6.5
-
sir_synthsalot
- Sophomore Member
- Posts: 201
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2010 10:52 pm
- Location: Canada
Re: Which WiFi for T520
My Realtek card had only two connectors but I think when people say it uses 3 antenas that refers to MIMO technology and not the physical number of antenas. The Realtek card is 1x2 MIMO and the Intel 6300 card is 3x3 MIMO.SaberX wrote:My buddy just got the T420s with the lowest wi fi card, the realtek card. It does have 3 antennas on it with 3 wires connected to it.
It's very poor card for wi fi.My buddy is looking at getting the Intel 6300-N.
On another note, i just got a T410 with wi fi intel 6200-N card and it's great.It picks up wireless singles that that other laptops could not...
I'M DONE WITH THINKPADS, JUST DONE!!!
Re: Which WiFi for T520
Remarkable Intel technology -- my previous card picked up only signals!SaberX wrote:... intel 6200-N card and it's great.It picks up wireless singles ...
Re: Which WiFi for T520
Thinkpad BGN is even better at signal capturing compared with 6205N according to my experience.
And WIDI/mywifi is pretty lousy at least in my instance.
You don't have to pay extra money for a worse card.
And WIDI/mywifi is pretty lousy at least in my instance.
You don't have to pay extra money for a worse card.
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
-
T520 vs T420: Did I Choose the Right One?
by londonwhite » Thu Jan 15, 2026 2:21 am » in ThinkPad T400/T410/T420 and T500/T510/T520 Series - 8 Replies
- 10721 Views
-
Last post by deickos
Sat Apr 04, 2026 11:32 am
-
-
-
FHD IPS for T520
by TP_ » Mon Feb 16, 2026 1:25 am » in ThinkPad T400/T410/T420 and T500/T510/T520 Series - 3 Replies
- 6599 Views
-
Last post by dcfbf
Mon Feb 16, 2026 3:41 pm
-
-
-
FS: T520 FHD $70 continental usa
by TPFanatic » Wed Mar 04, 2026 5:56 pm » in Marketplace - Forum Members only - 0 Replies
- 4451 Views
-
Last post by TPFanatic
Wed Mar 04, 2026 5:56 pm
-
-
-
ThinkPad T520 coreboot
by mcq » Wed Apr 08, 2026 10:27 am » in ThinkPad T400/T410/T420 and T500/T510/T520 Series - 0 Replies
- 533 Views
-
Last post by mcq
Wed Apr 08, 2026 10:27 am
-
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 40 guests






