Network Cards and various things...

[arch0nmyc0n]

Anyone got any suggestions about what network card is best? I have all types some seem to work well and other don't. I have a GNet 16 Port Switch.

I'd also like to know; I have all sorts of different cards running on my network Realtek 29 and 39s, an odd 3com, a dlink or two, and a macronix. Would changing all the cards to 1 type of NIC possibly increase the performance? Like let say I made them all DLink 538s, by doing so would there be an improvement in the network? I'm not so much interested in lots of visible differences, miniscule differences are fine (I'm the guy that likes even a 5 ping reduction in a game). Why or why not?

Also, currently I have a WinXP box running ICS. I assume that running it through a router would help increase internet speed? Am I right? Why or why not?

Any sort of network tweaks (registry or otherwise) anyone has that can improve performance?

Basically I want to make the traffic on my network go as smoothly as possible and I'd like suggestions on how to do that... I can give specifics on the entire layout if anyone wants me to...