also one end doesnt clip in place the main reason for the upgrade.

Look for those with CAT5e or CAT6 printed right on the cable itself.

Reading material at about tech: Introduction to Network Cables

It is fairly unlikely to give you better speed, but the little clip breaking off would be anoying. It being cat5e or cat6 doesn't really matter if you arent going for more than a few feet so you might as well get whatever is cheapest (most ethernet cables sold aren't actually properly rated so do t worry about it) im asuming we are talking about a cable terminated in rj45 (squarish connector with 8 contacts and a clip) as oposed to something similar like rj11 (like rj45 but has 4 contacts, ocationally only two of them will be used)

the cable is not an issue for your speed unless it is receiving interference from other devices it sits close to... which is unlikely... if you had the tool or know an IT guy with it, you can just replace the end that's messed up for $1 or less (depending where you buy the end and if your stuck buying a lot or find a single one for sale).

if you buy a new cable, get a cat5e or cat6. the cat6 is a newer and higher speed capable cable, but both are far higher speed capable than a home network can use anyway. the main benefit to cat6 is when your running lines over a very long distance, as in hundreds or thousands of feet... in a home network cat5 has been the standard for many years and likely will be for many more.