Here's the query first (details below if needed).

I'm FINDING that not all 802.11g/n cards are created equal and I NEED a good one. Opinions and/or observations? Thanks in advance!


Quick rundown of the network as it is and what I need to do.

Presently, my network runs from an Apple AIRPORT Extreme (the first extreme, introduced with 802.11g). The base station is about 30-40 feet from my computers and down 1 level. After building my PC a couple years back, I simply had my mac start sharing it's wireless network through ethernet to my PC. Easy to do because the 2 computers are 3 feet from each other.

Worked great, never a problem. But now, my mac is going to change service to a TV room entertainment computer and my PC needs a wireless card of its own. I bought a D-Link WDA-1320 PCI card and installed that, but the signal is ALWAYS around 30-40% strength (compared to the mac's 85-95%) and internet transfers have plummeted from ~400k/sec with the mac to as low as 15k/sec with the D-Link; an unacceptable difference.

So, compared to the Apple Airport card, this D-Link is a waste of silicone, but Apple doesn't make a PC 802.11g card. Thus, I need to find a quality product, but there don't seem to be any comparisons between these cards (such as one would find on TomsHardware.com). I've considered boosting the network with a 7 dBi antenna, but I shouldn't need to, and I'm afraid that I'd be throwing good money after bad in doing so.

Thank you for your time!