The higher bandwidth frequency does allow for faster data transfers, so if you plan on downloading or uploading large files, the extra bandwidth the Cat 7 gives you may be worth it. Both support speeds up to 10,000 Mbps, but the Cat 7 supports 600 MHz of bandwidth compared to the 500 MHz of Cat 6a. Upgrade to Cat 7 if: You want a cable that supports slightly higher bandwidth and will cost you around the same price as a Cat 6a cable.Ĭat 7 – a little higher bandwidth than Cat 6aĬat 7 cables are the latest generation of Ethernet cords available but have little to offer compared to Cat 6a aside from slightly higher bandwidth.You want a cable that likely won’t be outdated in two to three years. Go with Cat 6a if: Your internet plan speeds are higher than 1,000 Mbps.It’s also safe to say this cable will support your high-speed internet connection for years to come, even as faster cable and fiber-optic internet speeds become available. Though probably more than the average user needs, Cat 6a cables will deliver a fast, reliable connection. Plus, all Cat 6a and higher cables feature a shielding designed to eliminate crosstalk almost entirely Upgrade to Cat 6a if: You have an internet plan with speeds above 1,000 Mbps or anticipate getting a faster plan in the future.Ĭat 6a – 10x the speeds, double the bandwidthĬat 6a (Cat 6 “augmented”) gives you a big jump in both speeds and bandwidth over the Cat 5e and Cat 6, supporting up to 10,000 Mbps and 500 MHz.Go with a Cat 6 if: Your internet plan speeds are 1,000 Mbps or less and you want higher bandwidth for faster downloads and uploads.Not all Cat 6 cables come with this feature, however, so look for “STP” or “shielded twisted pair” when shopping for Cat 6 cables. This is a thin protective barrier around the wires inside the Ethernet cable which further protects them from crosstalk and interference. The higher bandwidth helps reduce download and upload times, especially if you are transferring files from one computer to another via a Cat 6 cable.Īnother potential benefit of Cat 6 cables is shielding. Standard Cat 6 cables support the same speeds as Cat 5e but give you more than double the bandwidth. Upgrade to a Cat 6 if: You want higher bandwidth and the option of a “shielded” cable, which reduces crosstalk and signal interference.Ĭat 6 – higher bandwidth, possibly shielded.Go with Cat 5e if: You want an affordable cable that will do the job. This is the most common type of Ethernet cable because it supports speeds up to 1 Gbps and typically costs less than Cat 6 or Cat 7 cables. Cat 5e supports up to 1,000 Mbps and is built to reduce crosstalk - unwanted transfer of signal between the cables - for a more consistent connection. Low-cost and capable of supporting gig internet, Cat 5e (Cat 5 “enhanced”) replaced Cat 5 as the Ethernet standard. A new Cat 5e will be much easier to find than a Cat 5 cable and will support faster speeds if you decide to upgrade your internet plan in the future. Upgrade to Cat 5e if: You need a new cable.Go with Cat 5 if: You already own a Cat 5 cable and your internet plan is lower than 100 Mbps.Therefore, even if your internet plan doesn’t offer speeds up to 100 Mbps, a Cat 5 cable will likely not be your best option simply because they are hard to find new. However, as the availability of faster internet continues to rise, Cat 5 cables have become as obsolete as non-HD TVs. Before internet plans with speeds of 100 Mbps and higher were so common, Cat 5 cables were sufficient for nearly every home network.
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