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If you're looking to upgrade your AMD-based computer, be it a desktop or a laptop, to Wi-Fi 7, the Qualcomm NCM865 chip, currently available via the ready-made MSI HERALD-BE NCM865 PCIe add-on adapter for desktop, is the answer.
This Wi-Fi chip also supports Intel-based computers, but in this case, you're better off with the Intel BE200, which is more readily available for a machine with an E-key M.2 slot.
With that, let's find out how the new chips expand our Wi-Fi 7 upgrade options.
Qualcomm NCM865-based MSI Herald-BE: A desktop solution that works for laptops, too
As mentioned, the NCM865 Wi-Fi 7 chip, which is based on Qualcomm's FastConnect 7800 family first announced in mid-2022, is currently unavailable as an E-key M.2 chip. Instead, in the U.S., you can get it via the MSI Herald-BE PCIe add-on card.
This card is basically a generic PCIe adapter housing an NCM865 chip. It is ready to be installed inside a desktop computer with an available PCIe slot. Use it that way, or you can remove the chip and install it on a machine with an E-key M.2 slot.
Eventually, you'll likely be able to buy just the chip itself the way you do the Intel BE200, which is generally cheaper than getting the whole PCIe add-on adapter. The point is that if you have a desktop computer, the MSI Herald-BE NCM865 is a no-brainer. But if you have a laptop, it will take some work, and you might have to spend more than necessary.
For now, expensive or not, this Qualcomm NCM865 card is the only Wi-Fi 7 upgrade option for some.
Qualcomm NCM865 vs. Intel BE200: Hardware specifications
| Qualcomm NCM865 | Intel BE200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Third-party PCIe adapter (MSI Herald-BE PCIe) | Third-party PCIe adapter, E-key M.2 chip |
| Wi-Fi Standard | Tri-band BE5800 | |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | |
| Wi-Fi Bands | 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz | |
| Channel Width | 20/40/80/160/320MHz | |
| MLO Support | Yes (Windows 11 24H2) | |
| Platform | Intel and AMD (out of the box) | Intel, AMD (hit or miss depending on the BIOS version) |
| Operating System | Windows 11 | Windows 11, Windows 10 (no 6GHz band) |
A non-choosey Wi-Fi 7 add-on hardware upgrade
Unlike the Intel BE200, which, in my experience, only works issue-free on Intel-based computers, the Qualcomm NCM865 supports both Intel and AMD platforms right out of the box. Other than that, physically, it shares other requirements with the Intel BE200 counterpart. Specifically, your computer needs the following:
- It's a desktop or laptop computer with an NGFF 2230 M.2 E-key slot explicitly designed for Wi-Fi adapter cards. Or
- It's a desktop computer with an available PCIe slot.
- The computer must run Windows 11. You can upgrade your unsupported machine using this guide.
That said, if your computer currently has Wi-Fi 6 or 6E, chances are you can upgrade it to Wi-Fi 7 using this Qualcomm NCM865.
The upgrade process is exactly the same as that of other Wi-Fi 6/6E/7 cards, including the Intel BE200. Specifically:
- Buy the adapter and download the Wi-Fi software driver via this link, as well as this Bluetooth driver, if you care about this portion of the hardware.
- Open your computer's chassis and install the new Wi-Fi 7 chips using the E-key M.2 slot (if available) or a PCIe slot (desktop-only). In the latter case, optionally connect the included Bluetooth cable to an available USB pinhead to use the card's built-in Bluetooth support.
- Close the computer, turn it on, and install the driver(s). Note that the Qualcomm NCM865's software driver is currently unavailable via Windows Update and needs to be installed manually, as mentioned in this post.
Mission accomplished!
Qualcomm NCM865 Wi-Fi 7 Chip's Rating
Pros
Adds Wi-Fi 7 to a computer with up to 320MHz channel width; supports both Intel and AMD platforms
Flexible application via E-key M.2 or PCIe adapter
Backward compatible with Wi-Fi 6E and older broadcasters
Cons
Limited availability; Windows 11 (and later) required
No USB option
The result
In my trial with a few computers, both AMD and Intel machines, the Qualcomm NCM865 proved to be similar to the Intel BE200 in performance. The latter tend to negotiate more often at a higher connection speed, likely because it's better supported on the broadcasters' side.
Both chips will give you a real Wi-Fi 7 experience, though neither's current software driver supports Wi-Fi 7's MLO. That generally needs to wait until Windows 11 24H2 is available. Still, they are plenty fast, with sustained real-world Wi-Fi rates often in high Gig+ and even multi-Gigabit realms.
Unsure which to pick between the two? Again, the Qualcomm NCM865 is the only option for an AMD machine. Otherwise, the Intel BE200 is much more readily available and, hence, potentially more affordable with faster shipping.
I highly recommend that people download the driver from Gigabyte instead of MSI. The Herald drivers are older, and could not connect to 6E networks. The speed wasn’t great either.
Gigabyte’s solution has three different iterations with different cards, so make sure it’s V1.0.
I found, once installing the Gigabyte drivers, WiFi 6E connectivity worked, the speeds were faster for up and down, and the bluetooth connection was better.
Thanks for the input, Nick.
This review saved me a lot of trouble. I purchased a Beelink SER8 with an AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS chip and intended to replace the pre-installed Intel AX200 with an Intel BE1750x Killer Series WiFi card, which is basically a souped-up BE2000.
When I came across your review, I had already bought the BE1750x, but the mini-PC hadn’t arrived yet. After reading it, I sent the BE1750x back for a refund and purchased the MSI Herald-BE PCIe adapter card with the Qualcomm WiFi card. It was less expensive than the BE1750x! I also downloaded the drivers you linked to and had them ready when the card and mini-PC arrived.
The Qualcomm NCM865 runs smoothly in the Beelink SER8, and I’ve had no connection issues with WiFi or Bluetooth. Subsequent reviews of the system indicate that the pre-installed AX200 performs terribly, so I’m even more pleased that I found your article! I’m a satisfied subscriber!
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Thanks for the support, Ron.
Dong,
I just upgraded my laptop using the instructions you referenced in the article. I need to test more, but I am finding connections working better. I have a 2022 ASUS G14 Laptop. Setup was easy, but the connectors were tricky. I was able to get them connected. I also haven’t tried the Bluetooth connections with the laptop yet.
I am very happy with the performance so far!
Now I need to purchase WiFi 7 routers to replace my WiFi 6 routers.
Thanks for posting the instructions!
Nice work, Huley. You can consider one of these.
I tend to lean towards ASUS routers!
I will let you know once I get a pair of them and get my network up and running!
Thanks again for your help and advice!
Are you able to test it with Linux? I’m wondering if the current outgoing kernel used by Fedora 40 will work out of the box, without requiring to downloading/compiling/copying files. And of course, also performance in Linux.
No, Nikki. I’d wait till there’s official driver software. Generally, Linux can be tricky.
Hi, did you somehow manage to get Bluetooth to workon Win11? I bought the same MSI card and put the M.2 chip in my Elitebook 845 G10. Wifi7 works great. BT is also displayed but I can’t get a connection (mouse, keyboard, nothing…). I would be happy if you could tell us about your experiences. Thanks in advance
You need to Bluetooth driver instead of the one included within Windows. Download link is in the post.
Yes and no, you probably need updated Microsoft bluetooth drivers but it only worked for me when I installed the Qualcom drivers (I missed to download driver when I loaded the WiFi drivers) … {…}
That’s the same driver I linked in the post, Cliss.
I just spent some time on this myself. The posted driver is for Intel. The one needed is: Qualcomm Bluetooth Driver 3.0.0.909 for Windows 11. Mine was showing as generic which didn’t work at all.
You’re correct Charles. Thanks! I updated the link withe right software. I didn’t test the Bluetooth part of the chip, by the way.
Lol when I asked you if you intended to test this and you refused. But I guess the temptation is too strong to resist! 😉
Now you own me $50. 🙂
Awesome review, really glad you covered this. I just ordered these a few weeks ago on Amazon after searching forever. I’m expecting them early April. Can’t wait to see what MLO does with these. Keep up the good work!
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From where did you order? Amazon.com is shipping immediately.