networking/router/nic question(s)

[IFMU]

i may have talked my roommate into getting a router upgrade.
at present we have the highest possible tier (at least to my knowledge) generically available to standard consumers.
at present, again, we have the modem, a linksys 10/100 (standard router) and a 10/100/1000 linksys switch

we have 4 active PC's running, more or less non-stop. (soon to add in at least 1 more)
we have 3 phones that are also used on our wi-fi.
there are 3 (soon to be 4) WoW players, 1 heavy torrent'r and more or less typical use otherwise online.
i have an external drive.
~ from this drive there are 3 PC's that stream video from it within the home network.
~ it streams videos to others/family over the intar-weebs. (anywhere between 2 to 6 people (different locations across the USA)
~~ they watch the videos, download/upload random misc, pictures, videos, software, etc.
there are also 2 (sometimes 3) xbox live accounts playing online as well.

overall things run smoothly, but i seem to be getting the router to lock up. (seemingly at random) appears that this is happening more and more likely/common. a simple re-set (pull power, wait 10 seconds) then everything seems fine until it happens again.
there are also on occasion where th network lags up pretty bad as well.

hardware, special modem to allow for increased speeds.
standard linksys router
linksys switch, (capable of 10/100/1000)

now I am thinking of trying to get another router and rather than the norm, go for a gigabit.
i am somewhat limited on budget, but am willing to spend a bit more now and get something that will last and cover what is done, rather than get a 'just for now' fix.

to date i've been pretty much primarily linksys/cisco, but have had minimal experience with belkin and netgear. i've had bad luck in the past with d-link. never really had much, if any experience with other brands.

i would be ok with going with a different brand, but i have zero idea where to start.
i need suggestions on a gigabit router, preferably wireless capable and a minimum of 4 ports. as mentioned previously i've a switch i can run to for extra wired connections.
price tag, i would like to stick to somewhere between $50 to $125, obviously the lower the better, but i am a firm believer in you get what you pay for.
hopefully i didn't blabber too much but gave you the info needed to be able to answer any possible questions, but am sure i missed something.

(oh, as a note, i am aware for the PC to be able to use the full capabilities it would need a 10/100/1000 ethernet on each PC. i know 1 or 2 of the PC's have that onboard, while the others i am unsure. i've been told an intel nic may be best for that aspect.)
any suggestions on appropriate routers/nics would be appreciated to.

Tons of thanks appreciated for any assistance!

[EniGmA1987]

I really like my Cisco/Linksys E4200. It works well and handles very high bandwidth. It has 4 gigabit LAN ports, a gigabit WAN, and wireless N in both 2.4 and 5GHz up to 450mbps. It is slightly out of your budget, I think it goes for somewhere around $150.


Through wireless N, 5GHz, on just a two antenna little USB card, I have achieved actual download speeds of 140.86 mbps.

[IFMU]

thanks for the input.
i'm not the one actually buying it, my roommate is. the higher the price tag the harder it will be for me to be able to convince her that it's worth the cost,
if i can keep it within the prices i listed, it won't take much more convincing. once it starts going up, it starts to get harder.

but thanks again.

[Bobsama]

What about a Linksys E2000 or D-Link DIR-655? Both are reasonably rated routers for, at the moment, $70 & $80 respectively on Newegg.

[rogard]

You tried out mikrotik? then use your current router as an AP only?

[quicksilver98]

Go Linksys E2000 and Flash it with DD-WRT (www.dd-wrt.com) You can then set all of your QOS, and do a whole lot more. I'm a network and security consultant, and it's what I use at home with no issues whatsoever.

[CaptMorgan]

Go Linksys E2000 and Flash it with DD-WRT (www.dd-wrt.com) You can then set all of your QOS, and do a whole lot more. I'm a network and security consultant, and it's what I use at home with no issues whatsoever.

Just saw this thread- can any wireless router run this? This is basically a custom UI, might make things so much easier

[Bobsama]

Just saw this thread- can any wireless router run this? This is basically a custom UI, might make things so much easier

No. Some manufacturers have DD-WRT support (partial or full) but most don't. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...DD-WRT&x=0&y=0

[madman2233]

YES! Mikrotik is amazing. the RB750GL has more features and outperforms my $400 Cisco 881. We are standardizing our 150+ customers all on mikrotik.