I have been having issues recently with my wireless G router where I have been needing to reset it (power it off and back on) almost daily. The router is a Linksys WRT54GS and is several years old. I suspect my recent problems are probably age of equipment related. At any rate I'm considering making the switch to wireless N in the hopes that it will improve overall speed.

I have cable internet service from Comcast and the telephony box and wireless router are located downstairs. I have a PS3 in the same room as the router that is connected wirelessly. We are currently not streaming video on the PS3 but may want to do that in the future. I also have 3 PCs and an XBox that are connected. These are in different rooms and on a different floor of the house. The 3 PCs have Linksys Wireless G cards that I know I will need to replace.

Based on the hardware list above, which specific router should I be considering? I feel most confortable with Linksys if for no other reason it is the brand I am most familiar with. I am assuming I will need to physically remove the wireless G cards from the PCs. If this is the case, should I get wireless N cards rather than the USB adapters?

Any advice is appreciated.

I like to avoid USB whenever possible so I would get cards - unless your computers are very new and support the new USB3.0 standard.

One thing to remember is that wireless access points (WAPs), including those located in routers do not do well in mixed wireless setups. By mixed I mean where they have to support both 11g and 11n devices. They all toggle down in speeds to support the 11g devices. So the solution is to have two WAPs.

Alternatively, you can get a Simultaneous Dual-Band Wireless N Router, which actually has 2 WAPs in the device - and a hefty price tag too.

Also, just to clarify - there is no such thing as a wireless router. That is a marketing term that is technically inaccurate. A router connects two networks - that's it. So when you buy a "wired" router, what you are really getting is a router plus a 4-port Ethernet switch in the same case. A wireless router is just a router, plus a 4-port Ethernet switch, plus a WAP - all located in a single case using a single power supply. Three separate, discreet network devices, that just happen to be located in the same box to save space and money.