usb wireless adapter vs. internal pci card

[Enemy Down!]

i may be building a desktop soon and i am wondering if i can opt out of the pci card since the micro atx board will be populated with an SLI configuration. there will not be any room left to place a pci card. i have no experience with usb wifi and am worried that it will not be sufficient for a 100% connection rate, especially during gaming.

i have gamed wirelessly on my laptop with it's integrated wifi with no issues for years. it never loses connection and i want to keep it like this if i build a desktop.

i also would like comming out of sleep or hibernation performance to be instant if it's usb instead of re-loading drivers or whatnot.

[psionic98]

from my understanding the USB, though a still a quick point of access, is still slower than pci-e connections or even onboard jacks (even matx usually have integrated)

[Enemy Down!]

i am not planning on transfering files accross the network to other computers. i use a crossover cable and the 1gb ethernet connection between computers for that. i have a 1.5mb down internection connection so i cannot imagine it is slower than this since usb 2.0 is 400mbs+. my main concern is that the usb stick does not lose connectivity at all and that it the bootup comming out of standby or sleep mode is instant like a pci card.

[SamSaveMax]

I would opt for a USB wireless. Quick and easy. Can be removed quickly for use on another computer if needed without an additional expense. BTW, it's just as fast.

[TollhouseFrank]

you'll lose about 5-15% bandwidth vs. internal pci/pcie card at the same distance.... and it obviously won't have the power to transmit as far.... but they are very convenient.