My home pc setup consists of a 3.1ghz quad core pc linked to a Netgear draft n router and then linked to my freecom media centre in my lounge via 10m of cat5 cable. My question is, would I have a faster network if I ran a dedicated network card for the media center and used the standard ethernet port for the router? When I stream dvd's or HD media from my pc, the media judders a bit from time to time. For the sake of a few quid, would I get any benefit. Also is there any difference in makes/models of networks cards and can any be reccomended?

Do you mean compared to the motherboard one?

If so what make/model number is your motherboard or what NIC device is present on it.

It's unlikely a PCI network card will outperform a built in card capable of 1GB. I'd be more concerned about the wireless network holding things up.

If you are talking about not going via the router and just going direct, there may be a tiny bit of a benefit but if the router has a switch not a hub it shouldn't be noticeable.

Yes i did mean the motherboard ethernet. My Mobo is a Foxconn P965 with a 1gb newtork. Thanks for the other advice, I don't use the wireless aspect of the router at the moment and only use it for internet connection and to connect in series to my media box

Nothing noticeable. Putting in a network card might take the load off the CPU but the load is negligable anyway.

You'd probably see more of an increase by using shielded cat5E and making sure you have no tight corners or kinks in the cable.

I'd agree if your NIC can do 1GB it will be fine with 100MBit.

I'd look at turning the wireless off on the router if you are not using it at all and checking the quality of the cable.