Ethernet Connection Slows Down Through Router

Hello all,

MY OS is Win 7 and my download throughput drops significantly when I use a wired connection through my router. The router is an old NetGear WGT624 v4 and it is has four 10/100 mbps ports. I am up to date on firmware and I have changed every possible option to no avail. My results are consistent as identified below:

PC ethernet connection wired directly to ISP modem: 53 mbps
PC ethernet connection wired directly to router 10/100 port: 36 mbps

My upload speeds are consistent (10mbps) when using either of the above connections.

My thought was that a router with 10/100 mbps ports should be able to handle the 53 mbps download speeds without considerable latency (is that the right word?) but I guess not.

Anyway, my real question is: Will a Gigabit router with 10/100/1000 ports solve that wired latency issue?

Thanks,

plsrepli

PS Here's the router I'm looking to buy. Its about 30 dollars cheaper at MicroCenter than NewEgg:
EnGenius Technologies ESR-9850 300Mbps Wireless N Router with Gigabit Switch ESR9850 - Micro Center

UPDATE: Found a newer version 2 of the above router at NewEgg for $39.99 w/free shipping:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833168113