The Future of Wi-Fi: Intel BE200 WiFi 7 Module Review
The latest advancement in Wi-Fi technology comes in the form of Wi-Fi 7, promising faster speeds, lower latency, and improved connectivity. For laptops and PCs, there are currently two options to upgrade your device: the Intel BE200 or Qualcomm NCM865. They are essentially the same, but there are some issues with what devices they support.
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Intel BE200 vs AX210 Specification
| Feature | Intel BE200 | AX210 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | Q3'23 | |
| Weight (in grams) | 3.07+/-0.15G | |
| Supported OS | Windows 11 / 11, Linux | |
| Antenna | 2x2 | |
| TX/RX Streams | 2x2 | |
| Bands | 2.4 | 5 |
| Frequency Support | 320 MHz | |
| Max Speed | 5.8 Gbps | |
| Compliance | FIPS | |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | |
| Board Form Factor | M.2 2230 | M.2 1216 |
| Package Size | 22mm x 30mm x 2.4mm |
The Intel BE200 WiFi 7 Module
Multi-Link Operation (MLO) Support
“Multi-Link Operation (MLO) is a significant feature in Wi-Fi 7, allowing devices to transmit and receive data across multiple frequency bands simultaneously. This boosts throughput, minimizes latency, and enhances reliability.”
MLO Support
Compatibility & Installation
The Intel BE200 does not support AMD-based systems. It should work on most Intel systems.
Compatibility & Installation
WiFi 7 6GHz Performance
Performance testing of the Intel BE200 and Qualcomm NCM865 on the 6GHz band showed the following results:
- Qualcomm NCM865: Zyxel NWA130BE: 2376 Mbit/sec, EnGenius ECW536: 3262 Mbit/sec
- Intel BE200: Zyxel NWA130BE: 2460 Mbit/sec, EnGenius ECW536: 3312 Mbit/sec
WiFi 7 6GHz Performance
Price and Alternative Options
The Intel BE200 is available to buy now from various resellers on Amazon:
- Intel BE200 Module is priced at £40
- Ubit WiFI 7 PCIe expansion card with BE200 is available for £40 (but a 30% voucher is available on the page at the time of writing)
The only WiFi 7 alternative is the MSI Herald-BE NCM865, which is a PCIE card that uses the Qualcomm NCM865. This is currently only available on the Amazon US store and is priced at $50. Shipping it to the UK would cost $8.13. This works out at around £45.
Price and Alternative Options
Overall
Both the Intel BE200 and Qualcomm NCM865 offer superb performance and advanced features expected from WiFi 7 modules. The choice between them depends on specific needs and system compatibility. The Intel BE200 is more versatile in terms of supported operating systems and can be bought as a standalone module or integrated into a PCIe card. In contrast, the Qualcomm NCM865, only available within the MSI Herald-BE NCM865 PCIe card, is currently the only option for users with AMD systems.
Overall
Summary
The Intel BE200 performs exactly as expected and performs just as well as the Qualcomm NCM865. Though only issue is that it is disappointing that it does not support AMD-based systems
Pros and Cons
- Affordable
- Superb performance
- AMD systems are not supported
