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So my roommates and I (5 of us total) are looking for a new router. We all play online games (I'm going to be using my laptop as a bridge) and was wondering what a good router would be under like $100. Also, what is the difference between the Linksys WRT54G and the WRT54GL? We had an older Linksys 2.4Ghz 54Mbps router that worked fine (I didn't use my computer as a bridge at the time). Any suggestions are fine. Thank you!

--Matt

Here is a link to show the difference in the two

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrt54g

 

Well, my first suggestion is that you get a good switch to compliment your router so that you don't have to use your laptop as a bridge.  If you're playing FPS, then using your laptop as a bridge is always gonna leave you a half step behind everyone else.

The difference between the WRT54G and the WRT54GL is the amount of flash memory that they have.  The WRT54GL has twice the amount of flash memory which is what the firmware is stored on.  This allows for greater flexibility if you want to run third party firmware.  I am personally a fan of Tomato firmware.  Runs very well on the WRT54GL, and gives you a lot of additional features and control over the router.  You can adjust the wireless signal strength with Tomato to 3 to 4 times what Linksys sets the signal strength by default.  

I personally find that the WRT54GL is worth the extra $10-$15.

If you want to go a little higher end, the D-Link DIR-655 is getting some pretty good reviews on Newegg, and is on sale at $99.99 with free shipping.  You'll be a whole penny under budget!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127215

Cool. thanks for the suggestion and links. i'll have to try to convince my roommates to spend the extra cash. i'm sure they will, it's not much. thanks for the info on the firmware stuff too!

So, a little noob question, but... how exactly does the switch work... router ---> switch ---> computer or w/e you're using? If so, can I use the wireless capability while the switch is connected?

The switch just adds ports to your network.  You run an ethernet cable from the router to the switch and you have an instant extra 4-8 ports.  Yes, wireless will still work, but if you're gaming, you'll want to avoid the wireless if possible.  Wireless isn't awful for gaming, but wired is better.

oh, alright. that's what i was thinking. thanks for all the info, but one of my roomates decided to buy a router, since he works at best buy and we ended up getting a netgear wpn824