Ethernet Cables

[Vek1313]

What are the differences between Ethernet Cables and how do I know which one I need? It will need to connect to my pc for gaming so I don't know if that makes a difference for it.

[Luc401]

[thekeemo]

Cat 5 for up to 100m

Cat 6 for over 

thats about all you need to know unless your planning on gigabit networking

[Senzelian]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbXe__EtGg4

Damn it, Luc was faster  <_<

[Vek1313]

Cat 5 for up to 100m

Cat 6 for over

thats about all you need to know unless your planning on gigabit networking

How do I know if I need the Cat 6? Is it on the router? Sorry for sounding stupid, I just don't know much about networking and monitors.

[failblox]

Cat 5 for up to 100m

Cat 6 for over 

thats about all you need to know unless your planning on gigabit networking

Cat5e does gigabit as well.

[thekeemo]

Cat5e does gigabit as well.

sorry meant 10Gbit

 

How do I know if I need the Cat 6? Is it on the router? Sorry for sounding stupid, I just don't know much about networking and monitors.

its the same connector

[dalekphalm]

Cat 5 for up to 100m

Cat 6 for over 

thats about all you need to know unless your planning on gigabit networking

I'm sorry but that actually is incorrect information.

 

Just about every Ethernet Cable (Including Cat 5, 5e, 6, and 6a) have a maximum cable length of 100m. While they sometimes will work beyond that length, they are outside the specs they were designed to operate with, and you will usually experience stability and speed issues.

 

Cat 3 = 10Base-T = 10 Mbit Ethernet speeds

Cat 5 = 100Base-T (Fast Ethernet) = 100 Mbit Ethernet speeds (Often shown as 10/100)

Cat 5e = 1000Base-T (also known as Gigabit) = 1000 Mbit or 1 Gbit Ethernet speeds (Often shown as 10/100/1000)

Cat 6 = 1000Base-T/10GBase-T (also known as 10 Gbit Ethernet) = 10 Gbit Ethernet speeds

Cat6a = 10GBase-T = 10 Gbit Ethernet speeds

 

Cat 6 can operate 10 Gbit over a maximum run of 55 meters, but will run Gigabit over 100 meters. Cat 3, 5, 5e, and 6a will all operate at their maximum respective speeds at 100 meters length.

 

Also, keep in mind that there is absolutely no industry specification or regulation for "Cat 6e" cables. These may offer the performance of Cat 6a (thus being higher quality), but because there is no specification, it's up to the specific cable manufacturer on how they make them. Often, especially with cheaper or no-name brands, Cat 6e cables are simply snake oil.

 

Cat 7 cables also exist (For 10Gbit and faster speeds). They are an IEC standard, but they are not recognized by the TIA/EIA industry body, which is usually involved in Ethernet cable specs. Cat 6a are generally used instead of Cat 7.

[thekeemo]

I'm sorry but that actually is incorrect information.

 

Just about every Ethernet Cable (Including Cat 5, 5e, 6, and 6a) have a maximum cable length of 100m. While they sometimes will work beyond that length, they are outside the specs they were designed to operate with, and you will usually experience stability and speed issues.

 

Cat 3 = 10Base-T = 10 Mbit Ethernet speeds

Cat 5 = 100Base-T (Fast Ethernet) = 100 Mbit Ethernet speeds (Often shown as 10/100)

Cat 5e = 1000Base-T (also known as Gigabit) = 1000 Mbit or 1 Gbit Ethernet speeds (Often shown as 10/100/1000)

Cat 6 = 1000Base-T/10GBase-T (also known as 10 Gbit Ethernet) = 10 Gbit Ethernet speeds

Cat6a = 10GBase-T = 10 Gbit Ethernet speeds

 

Cat 6 can operate 10 Gbit over a maximum run of 55 meters, but will run Gigabit over 100 meters. Cat 3, 5, 5e, and 6a will all operate at their maximum respective speeds at 100 meters length.

 

Also, keep in mind that there is absolutely no industry specification or regulation for "Cat 6e" cables. These may offer the performance of Cat 6a (thus being higher quality), but because there is no specification, it's up to the specific cable manufacturer on how they make them. Often, especially with cheaper or no-name brands, Cat 6e cables are simply snake oil.

 

Cat 7 cables also exist (For 10Gbit and faster speeds). They are an IEC standard, but they are not recognized by the TIA/EIA industry body, which is usually involved in Ethernet cable specs. Cat 6a are generally used instead of Cat 7.

what about cat 4? is that a thing

[failblox]

How do I know if I need the Cat 6? Is it on the router? Sorry for sounding stupid, I just don't know much about networking and monitors.

Cat 6 pertains to the category of a cable, not the router. Cat 5 can transfer at speeds up to 100Mb/s, Cat5e can transfer at speeds of 1Gb/s (gigabit internet), and Cat 6 also transfers at speeds of 1Gb/s, but it is certified to transfer at 1Gb/s whereas Cat5e is not. There is basically no difference between Cat5e and Cat6 though, and Cat6 is more expensive so just get Cat5e.

You'll know if the cable is Cat5/5e/6 depending on what it says on the packaging on the cable, and it'll also be printed on the cable itself.

 

Edit: As dalekphalm has mentioned, Cat6 also does 10Gb/s, but that doesn't really matter unless you actually have 10Gb networking devices in your house.

[Vek1313]

Ok so still how do I know what connector I need?

[dalekphalm]

How do I know if I need the Cat 6? Is it on the router? Sorry for sounding stupid, I just don't know much about networking and monitors.

 

Cat 6 is used for both Gigabit and 10-Gigabit ethernet speeds. Odds are, you don't have any devices capable of 10-Gigabit speeds, so don't worry about that.

 

If you are just running patch cables from the router to your PC, over the floor (eg: not running them through your walls), then Cat 5e cables will suffice. However, if there is no price difference to upgrade to Cat 6 or Cat 6a (Entirely depends on regional pricing where you live), then you might as well get the better cables.

 

With that in mind, you won't see any speed differences between Cat 5e, Cat 6, and Cat 6a, since all of your devices will support a maximum speed of Gigabit (10/100/1000), which all three types of cables support anyway.

[Vek1313]

How do I know what cable I need from the router? What is the compatibility of it with the routers?

[dalekphalm]

Ok so still how do I know what connector I need?

 

They all come with the same connector: 8P8C (Also known more colloquially as RJ45):

 

If you're buying patch cables (eg: pre-made from the store), then you don't need to worry about connector type.

[failblox]

How do I know what cable I need from the router? What is the compatibility of it with the routers?

Generally all consumer grade ethernet cables will be compatible with each other. They all use the RJ45 connecter so don't worry about compatibility with your router.

[Vek1313]

The cable will need to be routed through the floor to my room above it, there might be a wall that it would have to go through though. I just figured to get a cable as it is a cheaper option than a wireless adapter so the WiFi range would still be the same through the house.

[dalekphalm]

what about cat 4? is that a thing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category_4_cable

 

It is, but it was mostly just used for Telephone routing. It was briefly used for computer networking, but very quickly Cat 5 came out which was simply better in every way.

 

You would never find a circumstance where you would need to use Cat 4.

[dalekphalm]

The cable will need to be routed through the floor to my room above it, there might be a wall that it would have to go through though. I just figured to get a cable as it is a cheaper option than a wireless adapter so the WiFi range would still be the same through the house.

 

If you're going to go through a wall, then you'll want to ensure that the cable is shielded, solid core, and wall rated (Unless you're just going through from one side to another for half a foot or something).

 

You'd be looking for cables called SSTP (Shielded Solid Twisted Pair). This is especially important if there are any power cables running through the wall near where your cable will go through.

 

If the wall is empty near your hole, and it's a very short distance through the wall (eg: in through one side, right out through the other side), and you're not going to properly mount everything with wall-plates, etc, then a regular cable will be fine.

 

SSTP cables are available in all of the Category types we've discussed above (Such as Cat 5e or Cat 6).

[Vek1313]

If you're going to go through a wall, then you'll want to ensure that the cable is shielded, solid core, and wall rated (Unless you're just going through from one side to another for half a foot or something).

You'd be looking for cables called SSTP (Shielded Solid Twisted Pair). This is especially important if there are any power cables running through the wall near where your cable will go through.

If the wall is empty near your hole, and it's a very short distance through the wall (eg: in through one side, right out through the other side), and you're not going to properly mount everything with wall-plates, etc, then a regular cable will be fine.

SSTP cables are available in all of the Category types we've discussed above (Such as Cat 5e or Cat 6).

So is this a good one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812119502

[dalekphalm]

So is this a good one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812119502

 

Yep, that's a pretty good price for a 25 foot Cat 6a too.