categorys

[pickleton]

Is it worth getting the next category?

 

[Boscoh]

Excuse the ignorance....but....what are you talking about?

 

[fisheye]

my guess would be cat5 etc. cabling...

 

[futuristicmonkey]

It really depend upon what you need it for. If it's used to just connect your pc to a modem, just get 5, or 5e (the price is usually the same). 5=10mbps, 5e=100mbps, and category 6=1gbps. If connecting up a home network, usually 5e will do, as most home users dont have gigabit NICs, or even the ability to max it out. Since the price is usually the same, 5e is your best bet.

Edit: And welcome to the Anandtech forums

 

[Garion]

Originally posted by: futuristicmonkey
It really depend upon what you need it for. If it's used to just connect your pc to a modem, just get 5, or 5e (the price is usually the same). 5=10mbps, 5e=100mbps, and category 6=1gbps. If connecting up a home network, usually 5e will do, as most home users dont have gigabit NICs, or even the ability to max it out. Since the price is usually the same, 5e is your best bet.

Edit: And welcome to the Anandtech forums

Actually, Fast Ethernet (100Mb/s) will run fine on Cat5, and GigE (1000Mb/s) will usually run OK on Cat5e if it's terminated properly. Cat3 is only rated for 10Mb/s, although I've seen plenty of people use it for Fast Ethernet successfully.

- G

 

[spidey07]

To add to Garion's post.

For home use Cat5e is perfect = supports 1000 Base-T.

For permanent installations cat6 is the way to go.

Cat 3 = 10 Base-T
Cat 5 = 100 Base-T
Cat5e = "enhanced" to support 1000 Base-T
Cat6 = designed for 1000 Base-T

At limited distances the difference between cat5e and 6 won't be realized.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: spidey07At limited distances the difference between cat5e and 6 won't be realized.

In otherwords if you put into the walls put CAT6.

If you need few patches get CAT5e.

 

[pickleton]

thanks