Cat5e Vs Cat6?

tony58_3

what cabling is better for home network??

CAT5E or CAT6??

its going to be used for things like ps3, aditional computer, etc

i do stream HD films to ps3, which the wireless can never transmit fast enough! so hardwire would be great.

my electrician has reccomended CAT5e,

however after readin on the net a bit, it seems CAt6 is the way forward??

is that correct? are there any real benefits? is the cost alot more??

spectre

cat6 cable is for gigabit networks 1000mbps , unless you have gigabit switches &/or routers then i would go for cat5e, howver if the price is about the same for both then obviously get the cat6
Cat5e will do gigabit speed but on shorter runs of cable

tony58_3

No i dont have a Gigabite Switch, i live in the UK, and on a VM connection of 20Mbps, so hense using relevant equipment. However i wanna make this future proof, broadband speeds have been increasing very fast. from what iv learnt cat5e will only support upto 100Mbps, so wouldnt it be a good idea to install cat6 now? and also if i do install cat6 can i still use a switch that only supports upto 100mbps etc? or is it different types of switches for the 2 different cables??

SOSAGES

the speed of ur local network has nothing to do with the broadband.
i have a gigabit network and i use virgins XXL service.
the two have nothing to do with each other.
i also use cat5e for my local network and it is nice and fast.
taht being said if laying a new cable i would only touch cat6 as it is the future.

spectre

tony58 wrote: »

No i dont have a Gigabite Switch, i live in the UK, and on a VM connection of 20Mbps, so hense using relevant equipment. However i wanna make this future proof, broadband speeds have been increasing very fast. from what iv learnt cat5e will only support upto 100Mbps, so wouldnt it be a good idea to install cat6 now? and also if i do install cat6 can i still use a switch that only supports upto 100mbps etc? or is it different types of switches for the 2 different cables??

cat5e will do 1000Mbps on a houshold network , i know this as thats what i use
however all my cables are all shorter than 30metres in length..

So yes if your future proffing install CAT6 , its not that much more look on amazon for good prices on this.

tony58_3

thanks guys, CAT6 it is then! what makes would u guys reccomend??
or does it not make a difference?

ormus

if its the same price then use the cat6, otherwise there is no point in a domestic setting.
you will never use the cables full potential.

munkypuzzel

As said previously you probably will not use its full potential at home..

Bear in mind Cat 6a is the standard in use, Cat 6 never really happened..
It is much more difficult to work with, thicker, more difficult on the radiuses especially if you use the shielded variety.
Brand Rex is a real good quality manufacturer if you want to do it properly.

Expect the price of 10Gb equpmt to stay relatively unafordable for the near future!

lagi

I run cat5e utp as it was available, i have run at least a couple to most rooms as it has other uses as well, you could output speakers or tv signal through it. You never know if you might need it and a double wall socket is same size as a single.

SplanK

eh.... you can get 1Gb switches for sub £50 these days, infact they are starting to become the norm over 100Mb switches.

1Gb on CAT5E over long runs is still possible - as long as you avoid running it along power cables where it can pick up interferance.... and in most home setups you will hit other limitations - such as the speed of hard discs in PC's - before you hit any limitation on a Gb network

TBH - CAT5E has been around for a long time, and will still be around for a very long time - if you get your hands on a role very cheap - then just use that - for home use especialy - you wont see much difference for a LONG time... if you cant get CAT5E cheap, but can get CAT6a at the same price, then yes - go for CAT6a

tip... if you can - if you want to run one cable for say a point behind the TV.... run 2 instead or even 3/4... will save you having to do it again in the future, or splitting the cable by using either splitters or additional switches! They dont have to be wired up yet and can be hidden away ready for future use.... i wish i did this when i did my first run from behind my TV to upstairs!

tony58_3

SplanK wrote: »

tip... if you can - if you want to run one cable for say a point behind the TV.... run 2 instead or even 3/4... will save you having to do it again in the future, or splitting the cable by using either splitters or additional switches! They dont have to be wired up yet and can be hidden away ready for future use.... i wish i did this when i did my first run from behind my TV to upstairs!

what do u mean?? i was only going to have one coming into the living for the ps3, from the box room (where the bb connection will enter the house)

do u mean to say for other equipment? like TV etc?? gimme examples for what i can potentially use it for?