MSI has introduced the Herald BE NCM865, a PCIe wireless networking adapter offering Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity in a compact internal add-on card format. The adapter features both PCI-Express x1 and USB 2.0 host interfaces. In addition to installing the card into a PCIe slot, it can be connected to an available USB 2.0 header on the motherboard using the provided cable to enable the Bluetooth functionality. The base card is equipped with two antenna jacks, a USB 2.0 header, and an M.2 E-key slot to accommodate the WLAN module.
The Qualcomm NCM865 serves as the WLAN module for this adapter, delivering Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) with a maximum throughput of 5.8 Gbps. The controller supports 320 MHz wide channels across the 6 GHz, 5 GHz, and 2.4 GHz bands, as well as older Wi-Fi standards down to 802.11n over the 2.4 GHz band. The Bluetooth component adheres to the latest Bluetooth 5.4 standard and supports multi-link operational topology. Additionally, the package includes a stylish magnetized base antenna module reminiscent of those included with MSI's premium motherboards. Pricing details have not been disclosed by the company.
