I have a small network at home where all our computers are connected to a D-Link Dl-624+ Router. I've been having problems with very slow speed between my P3 system and my main system, at best I'm getting 4MBps. The two computers are only about 10 meters apart with the router in the middle.

Its a bit annoying because I transfer a lot of videos and music between these two computers and it takes ages, 4MBps is fine for the other computers on the network but these two need a fater connection.

Some of the cables are cheap crap, so I was wondering if I should just buy good quality CAT6 cable for these two or set up a gigabit system between these two. What do you think?

The cable that runs from my main computer to the switch runs next to a power cord, which I cant avoid, so maybe new cable would speed things up. Would it even run at Gigabit speeds if there is interference?

Hope you can make sense of that, I'm a bit tired.

Thanks for any help.

Mattwizz3 :
My Take of the super P3:

P3 Tualatin @ 1.58GHz
SL-65DVB Motherboard
640Mb PC133 @ 150MHz
Sparkle 6200

For gigabit speeds you need the following things:
gigabit switch/router, cat5/5e/6 cabling and most importantly, each computer needs a gigabit network card in it. If it doesn't then you will not see any improvements. Your P3 probably only has a 10Mb card which will slow everything down to that speed.

I recommend a switch over a router because it's much cheaper and you already have a router. As for having network cables next to power cables, as long as they are decent cables you shouldn'd get any interference.

Finally, check the card on the P3, if it's only a 10Mb try upgrading it to 100MB. They are very, very cheap and will save you the bother of buying everything else.

Hope this helps

The card in the P3 is a 100Mb card. With a 10Mb card I get roughly 750KBps. I already have onboard gigabit on my main computer. I think I will buy better quality cable and see if that improves speed at all. If I do end up going to gigabit, these two computers will be the only ones on it and I will the rest as it is.

Mattwizz3 :
My Take of the super P3:

P3 Tualatin @ 1.58GHz
SL-65DVB Motherboard
640Mb PC133 @ 150MHz
Sparkle 6600

If you plan to go up to Gb standards you will need a Gb router or a Gb switch(much cheaper). If you don't then you'll be stuck at what ever speed the router is set to. Networks run at the slowest available speed, so if your comps are using Gb and the router is only 100Mb, then the whole thing will be running at 100Mb.

I would get a crossover cable and directly link the two PC's with it. Since you're restricted to 100 Mbps by the slowest NIC this will give you your best speed and remove the router from the mix in case it's the problem.

Have you checked to ensure both PC's are connected at 100 Mbps? If not, do so.