Wireless Network Card choice

Hi guys! Remember me? Long time no see.

Got a question. I'm considering getting the Asus G74SX-DH73-3D gaming laptop...custom job.

In the custom config, I have a choice of getting wireless networking, in ascending order by price:

1. Built-in 802.11a/g/n WiFi Card + Bluetooth
2. Intel Centrino Advanced N-6230 802.11 a/b/g/n + Bluetooth 3.0+ HS Combo Card
3. Built-in Bigfoot Networks Killer N-1102 - Ultimate Gaming Card - NO Bluetooth
4. Built-in Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3 Antennas)
5. Built-in Bigfoot Networks Killer N-1103 (3 Antennas)- Ultimate Gaming Card ---NO Bluetooth.

OK...there ya have it. I am assuming that "Ultimate Gaming Card" assists in improving ONLINE gaming. But my big question: Is Bluetooth nowadays really necessary? Is there that much use for it? Isn't it dying a slow death?

If it isn't, I will probably go for the #5 Killer card ($89). If there is a viable use for Bluetooth, then the #2 choice would appear to be the right one.

Opinions? TIA! :)

Blue tooth I use to download pictures from some cell phones as that is the only way to get them off of the cell phone. Other than that, never had a use for Blue tooth.

I like the idea of external antenna(s) on wireless. The new wireless in laptops do not have the antenna around the screen and it does not take much to make them worthless.

I don't really use BT either, but it might be useful if you wanted to get a BT keyboard/mouse combo. Otherwise, I think you'd be fine without it.

What kind of router do you have? If it's not a three stream router, then the extra antenna wouldn't do much. If you do have a three stream router, then I'd probably just go for #4.

I'm always dubious about these "ultimate mega ultra super gamer" cards. Are there any reviews of those cards that show they are significantly better?

Hey Bistro, I was wondering where you'd got to. Nice to see you back :)

The only use I put BT to on my laptop is to run a nice little mouse that I bought, because I've never much cared for trackpads. If the lapper hadn't come with BT built in, I don't think I would have missed it much, though not having to use one of the 3 USB ports on a dongle is a benefit.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Bl...4415194&sr=8-2

Soooo....it seems the general idea is that...Bluetooth is as useful as a tire pump in a canoe. That was my suspicion, but I wanted to see if there was an angle I didn't think of. Thanks guys!

#5 it is. Now that I think about it,#2 is "OK", but if I'm going to spend this much moolah on a laptop, I might as well splurge for a better wireless.

BTW...it's the Asus G74SX-DH71. One monster of a gaming laptop. Would go for the 3D version, but for some reason 3D capability hasn't piqued my interest.

I would have been around here at VDr more often, but my WoW character got lost in some dungeon and it has taken him all this time to find his way out. :rolleyes: