Need Advice on a new router

[BuckMaster]

I have 3 laptops with wirless G and 2 desktops 10/100. I have cat5e cable to the desktops. I also have the following switch if it matters.

D-Link DES-1026G 10/100Mbps + 1000Mbps Unmanaged Layer 2 Switch 24 Port 10/100Mbps plus (2) Port 10/100/1000Mbps 8,000 MAC Address Table - Retail

my current Linksys WRT54G has gone bad and need advice on a good replacement unit. Im green here being I havnt messed with any of this stuff in years on the router side.

Im wating to know if I should upgrade to a N router now or stay with a G and would it do me any good if so? I know my laptops connect now at 54Mbps and see some routers now days support 108Mbps is that correct? If so will the card in the laptops support those speeds or does the card have to be replaced too?

Also does the cat5e cable support the 1000Mbps speeds if not will support anything over 100Mbps? If i used the 1000Mbps ports on a router and had the nic that supported the 1000Mbps what kind of speed would I get from a cat5e cable if it does support the 1000Mbps or would it just not work at all?

Hope this made since and thanks!!! Im open for any schooling and advice on on a new router model. Also if it matters I mostly stream large movies and copy large files like blu-ray movies.

Thanks!!

 

[JackMDS]

As a matter, of policy, price, and real functionality, my personal recommendation is to stick with a Good 802.11g until a real 802.11n standard would emerge and stabilize.

Top option (as is, or flashes with DD-WRT).

Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833162134

Good alternative for less money (must be flashed with DD-WRT),

Asus WL-520GU - ship. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833320023

Cat5e supports current Giga Networks.

That said (and I quote) "I mostly stream large movies and copy large files like blu-ray movies"

Tasks like this, should be done via cable. Some people claim that when come to Wireless, few Draft_N Wireless can do it better than a good 802.11g.

Research this specific issue YMMV.

 

[Gunbuster]

You need N capability on both ends. So you would need to upgrade the laptops to see any speed or range boost.

Since you need a new router you might as well go to N, it cant hurt anything. It will prolly have gig-e ports on it as well.

 

[BuckMaster]

Thanks guys!