switch for multitasking

I do have 5 computers. I am running 5 vm sessions on each computer . Computers do have good hardware, having 10/100/1000 lan port on them. But my switch is only 10/100.
All vm ware sessions are linked with each other for data processing.
I found them slow.
My question is that by using 10/100/1000 switch, would I b able to get fast good result. and also I am using cat5e cable . If I use gigabit switch do I need to use cat 6 cable also.
plz help me.

 

Cat 5e cable is fine for gigabit. What VM program are you using? If you are using Microsoft Virtual Machine, then all of your VM computers will have virtual 100Mbit network cards assigned to them. However, switching to a 1000Mbit switch will allow for 10 VMs to use the network from each computer at once.