I suppose the least expensive would be to try the router in the basement (that is where I have a Linksys WRT54gv5 now). & hope that coverage is adeqaute or better, since I don't have a 2 cable run in place.
If that works, then I could add a switch (Netgear GS608?) to give the additional ports...
I now have a gigabit port on my internet Service and was considering an upgrade to my home network. Tim's reviews and others comments point to the Netgear WNDR3700 as a good choice for wireless.
My problem is, I need more than 4 ports for my local network devices, and for me Internet comes...