XPS 8950, Killer 1675x, Tri-band?

Question

I'm looking to upgrade my router, and was considering Tri-band, but it isn't clear whether the stock 1675x supports it. I tried Googling, but the results were inconclusive.

The service manual indicates:

> Killer E3100G Ethernet controller,

> WiFi 802.11ax support,

> Bluetooth 5.2

> (only) 2.4 GHz/5 GHz frequency bands are supported

I'm wondering whether the documentation is incomplete, and the stock 1675x supports tri-band, or not.

DELL-Cares · Accepted Answer

Thank you! We have received the required details. We will work towards a resolution. In the meantime, you may also receive assistance or suggestions from the community members.

Update = The Dell OEM 0K1R3 Killer 1675x only supports 2.4 GHz/5 GHz frequency bands.

And Ye Shall Find · Answer

Answer: The 1675x is only Dual Band. Don't confuse with AX1675

ispalten · Answer

What router are you looking at?

As far as I know, most have only 2 band frequencies, 1 2.4Ghz, and 2 5Ghz SSID's. Having 2 5Ghz bands allows one to put the AC and N devices on one 5Ghz, and the AX's on the 2nd 5Ghz band.

There is a NEW 6Ghz now coming out, and routers like this one, https://www.netgear.com/home/wifi/routers/raxe500/, calling it 6E, one of each band. Are you getting one like this or are you thinking ahead to the future?

On my Killer adapter, AX1650i on my 8940 does show on the Killer Control Center WiFi Analyzer a 6Ghz option. So I assume it can handle it?

ispalten · Answer

By the way, this link, https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/211485/intel-killer-wifi-6e-ax1675-xw/specifications.html, says it IS pre-certified for 6E, so I'd think it would work, or when there is enough 6E routers out there, s/w updated to make it work.

And Ye Shall Find · Answer

Thank you ispalten. The link didn't work for me, but I've found that googling 1675x brings up specs for the AX1675, which was the source of my confusion from the start. From what I can see, they're different cards. The AX1675 is Tri-band, while the 1675x is a cheaper version installed by Dell which is only Dual-band.

I'm looking to upgrade my router (currently not Wi-fi 6) which is why I'm researching the card, so I can't verify anything on that end.

ispalten · Answer

Hmm, that link I posted didn't work for me either?

I went to INTEL.COM and did a search for 1675. They have 2 lists, and x/w and an i/s. Both of those are 6E units.

I'll try the links again:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/211486/intel-killer-wifi-6e-ax1675-is/specifications.html?wapkw=ax1675

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/211485/intel-killer-wifi-6e-ax1675-xw/specifications.html?wapkw=ax1675

Dell's driver is the same for those as well as my AX1650 that has the 6Ghz band?

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-ba/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=mmmh1

I'd think they'd all support it?

And Ye Shall Find · Answer

Thanks Irv. Yes, your links point to the Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 6E AX1675, but if you Google "killer 1675x", and scroll down a bit, Alibaba has a link a link for a Dual-band device ( https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002944790161.html ). I can't tell whether Dell is just sloppy with their notation, or my device is, in fact, only dual-band.

Under the driver link you posted, and "Compatible Systems", my XPS8950 is not shown. The link for my driver (different version than yours) is: https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=100nn&oscode=wt64a&productcode=xps-8950-desktop

I wish you are right, and I could take advantage of the 6 Ghz option, but I'm skeptical.

ispalten · Answer

@And Ye Shall Find wrote:

Thanks Irv. Yes, your links point to the Intel® Killer™ Wi-Fi 6E AX1675, but if you Google "killer 1675x", and scroll down a bit, Alibaba has a link a link for a Dual-band device ( https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002944790161.html ). I can't tell whether Dell is just sloppy with their notation, or my device is, in fact, only dual-band.

Well, you see, that link above mentions 6E, in the heading and specs, "Wi-Fi CERTIFIED* Wi-Fi 6E "

6E is the 6Ghz band. See https://www.pcmag.com/news/what-is-wi-fi-6e, so how can you do that without supporting 3 bands?

@And Ye Shall Find wrote:
Under the driver link you posted, and "Compatible Systems", my XPS8950 is not shown. The link for my driver (different version than yours) is: https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=100nn&oscode=wt64a&productcode=xps-8950-desktop

I wish you are right, and I could take advantage of the 6 Ghz option, but I'm skeptical.

Here is where it gets 'murky'.

First, the link you posted DOES have my 8940 as the same driver. However, I can't determine what I really have now, and Support Assist doesn't think I need an UPDATE for that card? Essentially, the 8940 and 50 both use the SAME driver for a variety of cards it seems, and will be cross listed in a few links I guess?

Even worse, the Intel site.

Check THIS out, https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/19779/intel-killer-performance-suite.html which is for the PERFORMANCE SUITE for the card. I think I installed it?

Again, it appears I do NOT have this version? Both Dell's Support Assist doesn't find I need an update (other than the BIOS 2.4 which I'll not install due to an Nvidia display lockup problem) nor does the Intel Driver and Support Assistant think I need an update.

The only reason could be this in the notes:

Notes:

Some drivers from this package may not have been updated and are the same as the previous package. You need to install this package in order to update any version of the drive mentioned above.

So I might not need it?

Confusing to say the least.

Do you have the system? Does it show a selection for the 6Ghz band like mine does?

If not, maybe someone else how has the 8950 can post if they see it or not?

Tesla1856 · Answer

Not sure how much you want to spend ... but any recent model Netgear Nighthawk Router will work fine with that WiFi card. $150-$200 should get you something pretty nice.

The router and WiFi card negotiate for the fastest mutually-compatible protocol and connection.

And Ye Shall Find · Answer

Hi I just noticed the Description for the Killer adapter (in Settings --> Network & Internet --> Wi-fi --> {MyRouter}) has been updated to show 'Killer(R) Wi-Fi 6E AX1675x 160MHz Wireless Network Adapter (210NGW)'. This and the Killer app (per Irv's comments above) both point towards this being tr-band capable. If / when I get a tri-band router, I'll confirm.

And Ye Shall Find · Answer

It's a bit confusing (to me, at least) but it seems that while the AX1675x is Tri-band, from a MU-MIMO perspective, it is only 2x2. I guess this means it will communicate with the router over 6 GHz, but 'simultaneously' communicate with only other devices over 5 GHz *or* 2.4 GHz, but not both. Am I making sense?

Mluna20 · Answer

Hi, I have a wifi 6e router. My samsung phone and tablet can connect to 6e. For my 8950, device manager description for ax1675 includes 6e. However I am unable to see 6e and the killer intelligence center shows only 2.4 and 5.0 and not 6.0.

I looked at the current configurations for the xps 8950 and it shows wifi 6e support.

Confusing.

Mark Luna

redxps630 · Answer

probably a driver issue. Intel also shows 6 GHz in spec for ax1675.  https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/211486/intel-killer-wifi-6e-ax1675-is/specifications.html

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XPS 8950, Killer 1675x, Tri-band?

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