How to replace the Killer WiFi card with an Intel WiFi card on the Dell XPS 9570

In this video I show you how to replace the buggy Killer WiFi card with the Intel AC-9260 in the Dell XPS 9570. Links below! The replacement card has both wifi and bluetooth on board. Be sure to download the drivers before making the hardware swap.
Intel WiFi Card: amzn.to/2vRaqJ7
Torx Set with T5 driver: amzn.to/2vUPu3O

[@cyberbob2010]

It is crazy to me that everyone has known for YEARS that these Killer cards are terrible and Dell keeps putting them in these machines. This isn't my first Dell XPS 15. I love the design. I love all of the other components. With that said, DELL, PLEASE STOP USING THESE KILLER CARDS. EVERYONE KNOWS THEY ARE AWFUL. Break the contract. Throw out whatever is left in the warehouses. Just stop already.

[@alexclarke6924]

Literally every other major brand uses Intel cards, even on low-end laptops. Stop buying XPS and they will get the message.

[@nicodemogawronski2052]

Just changed the Killer WIFI with the Intel one. Very quick change. Used tweezers to connect back the cables.

[@maddockew]

None of these videos hint at how excruciating it is trying to get those two little wires connected to the new board! :D

[@jul1us_tv]

Try putting them on first and then stick in the new card

[@willworkforliberty]

I used a pair of needle nose pliers. Just make sure they are lined up first before you squeeze.

[@fbgmerk8178]

Are you serious lmfao you’re not going to show us you taking it off? That’s literally all I needed to see 😂 you skipped the most important part 🤦

[@KelleheJ]

The "sticky stuff" on the SSD appears to be a thermal pad. Not sure why Dell would feel the need to put one on the hard drive, however. SSD's don't get anywhere near hot enough for one as far as I'm aware.

[@4Abaddon4]

you are wrong, ssds get very hot

[@traviskronk4347]

Just an FYI to everyone these back plate screws can be extremely difficult to remove, all of my screws were coated in what I originally thought was red loctite but am now realizing it was an anti-seize liquid (didn't work I guess). both of my under plate phillips head screws were seized up and had to be drilled out, and the heads broke off both of them. This was just in a month old laptop. BE VERY CAREFUL REMOVING THE SCREWS.

[@antistyler]

mine were rusty even :D

[@sarabjeetseehra7287]

@willworkforliberty I have three questions for you. First, did you install the intel drivers before you swapped the WIFI cards? Also, while this is probably stupid, what did you uninstall to completely remove Killer remnants from your computer? Finally, how did you uninstall the Killer drivers?

[@willworkforliberty]

I use linux, so I made sure those drivers were installed. I believe both the ath10k(killer) and iwlwifi(Intel) drivers are part of the linux-firmware package on debian based systems. You can use `lsmod`, `modprobe`, and `modprobe -r` to list, add, and remove (respectively) drivers from a linux system. You can check if the intel drivers are there by doing `ls /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/intel/iwlwifi` For windows... I dont know. Sorry.

[@forrestallison1879]

I heard that the main and aux difference doesnt matter at all. Not that I mind doing things to code, just that I heard they are symetric

[@willworkforliberty]

I'm pretty sure you're right. I mention this in one of the replies below.

[@drakolapo773]

Hi i put this wifi card in my dell xps 9560 clean instal windows 10 instal the drivers but the wifi signal constant dropping any help on thart?

[@willworkforliberty]

Sorry not sure. The reason I made this swap was because the stock "Killer WiFi" card kept dropping connection.

[@aliefrap4450]

is this support for xps 9560???

[@tomgriffin8951]

Does the install void the warranty?

[@willworkforliberty]

Probably. (shrug)

[@sarabjeetseehra7287]

I actually asked Dell support about this and they said no, since the whole point of the build is to be able to upgrade your system

[@razzerraw1108]

I have bad flickering on my laptop screen and it's only when I'm on wifi. It's a Dell XPS 15 9570 Core i9. I've placed this new chip inside my laptop a few days ago and I'm still experiencing the same problem. I've noticed if I turn down the transmit power in the device settings, the flicker is reduced but only by a fraction. It's still a little severe but only happens when I'm on wifi. Is there any other options I can change? Any specific drivers I need to install/ Disable? Any other programs I need/ have to delete? So far dell hasn't been of any help to me, I appreciate all the help!

[@willworkforliberty]

I think you should return it. If it wasn't a defective wifi chip then there's probably something more serious going on.

[@steveelwood531]

What am I missing here? After the wifi card was installed, the wires were attached backwards. The Killer card and the Intel card show opposite connections for the black and white wires.

[@willworkforliberty]

That's right. I show this in the video. However, I am not sure it matters.

[@KikoSR50R]

Hi, I want to upgrade the stupid Killer card with an Intel card, but I came across the 9560 and the 9260 and I am not sure which one to buy.. Could you possibly recommend me which one to take? As I read, the interface and the vPro are different. Does it matter? :)

[@willworkforliberty]

I am not certain if the XPS 9570 would support the 9560 Intel wifi chip. From the description on amazon it sounds like it is very hardware specific. I've linked the wifi chip I used in the description as well as here amzn.to/2vRaqJ7

[@thiccrig8761]

Can the V-Pro card be used?

[@willworkforliberty]

Im sure it can, I just didn't need/want V-Pro so I opted to save the money.

[@mikej7476]

I get mine Oct. 23 (hopefully, I ordered it Sept. 10, keeps getting delayed [ parts shortage, screwed up order, etc...] ). Two questions; 1) Why is everyone changing out this card? 1a) Is it just gamers having problems with it? 2) Do you have to disconnect the battery when doing this? I heard the card is shit, but not everyone is having problems with it (I guess connectivity problems?) That's why I'm wanting to find out what people are doing that have the problems with it.

[@willworkforliberty]

I kept having problems where my wireless network connection would drop out, or reconnect to the access point. I did not disconnect the battery when I replaced mine.

[@Thearkillian]

I have the XPS 15 and the killer card, so far I'd say there has been no problems with it...

[@acaleb4758]

if your wifi is slow, try the below before opening up your laptop * Click Windows icon * Type killer * Click Killer Control Center * Click Settings * Under System Settings, toggle Advanced Stream Detect to Off This immediately kicked up my download speed from 64kbps to 30Mbps. How is this info buried somewhere and everyone running around like headless chicken.. friggin dell!! or killer.. dont know who to blame. Let me know if this works for anyone else.

[@mauriojohnson4157]

I dont make sense when you spend $2800 on the xps 15 alone shit Dell need to fix that shit

[@mauriojohnson4157]

The scammers on the ads

[@xtoxicxskorpion5848]

The whole point is that you are showing how you get it in. Now you are just showing a intel card..

[@wanderlust2522]

i know right