I just went to Wal-Mart to get a cable, thinking it would be 5 bucks, they were about 15 and up. What about computer shops, will they be cheaper?
What's a fair price on a 10 foot network cable?
- Thread starter SAWYER
- Start date
Just go to Home Depot or Lowes. They'll typically be the cheapest around unless you hvae a store like TigerDirect.
AgaBoogaBoo
Lifer
- Feb 16, 2003
- 26,108
- 5
- 81
Cables are where retail stores can make a decent margin selling electronics, and so that's probably not going to come down in price 
waffleironhead
Diamond Member
- Aug 10, 2005
- 7,024
- 526
- 136
They usually start at $5-$7 here for 3 feet. Probably around $7 as mentioned. I got my 25 footer for $12 last Fall.
Crusty
Lifer
- Sep 30, 2001
- 12,684
- 2
- 81
cables are so horribly overpriced at B&M stores it's crazy. if you can wait, just get it at monoprice or even newegg.
Making patch cables is one of the worst things you can do for performance. Solid core cabling is not to be used for patch cables (in fact it is out of category specifications if you do so) and most times it will fail category certification with even experienced installers.
5 bucks for a quality patch cable is a fair price.
mugs
Lifer
- Apr 29, 2003
- 48,920
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I trust that you know what you're talking about, so I'm not arguing with you - but could you explain why solid core cabling shouldn't be used for patch cables when it's fine for wiring jacks? I buy all of my cables from monoprice anyway (I usually put a big order in for a bunch of cables that I don't actually need, and I end up needing them eventually), just wondering.
I'll try to explain it as easily as possible. If you want to get really deep ask the question in networking. It's a very good question that is normally not understood.
Why shouldn't horizontal/vertical cabling (solid) be used in patch cables?
Solid core cabling by design is not meant to be moved a lot. There are bend radius restrictions, tension, etc for proper installation as well as a whole slew of things about the cable that are why we have category specifications. It is by these standards/specifications that allow 90 meters of solid core horizontal cable to function and pass category specs. 5 meters of allowed stranded cabling (patch cords) on each end completes the link.
Basically it boils down to a cable that is not meant to be moved or bent a lot (solid) to maintain it's properties. Patch cords on the other hand do not have such stringent restrictions (stranded, but limited to 5 meters due to extreme loss of need electrical parameters).
If you want to learn more look into EIA/TIA 568.b and the recent EIA/TIA standards regarding category 6 cabling. Most network communication problems are because of poor cabling/physical layer practices. The BIG ONE being putting RJ45 ends onto solid core cabling - aka, making your own patch cables.
Spidey pretty much nailed it.
I'd add that the other usual complication is that most folks don't realize that there are four basic kinds of RJ45-style connectors: two are for flat cable (unshielded, untwisted) like phone / PBX desksets) and the other two are for round UTP ... one is for solid-core UTP, the other is for stranded-core UTP.
If you don't use the correct connector on the cable, it makes for a really suck-ass connection (you understand technical terms, right?)
Beyond that, using cheap, unrated RJ45-style connectors means (by spec) that you cable is unrated .... as the cabling system assumes the rating of the lowest rated component.
Following all of the above, is that someone will invariably say " I do it and it works;" and it's probably true that there is some data getting through. Chances are that the cable is "sub-optimal" (especially "hand-made Cat6" which is automatically out of spec) and performance is degraded to some extent. Exactly how much would require some pretty expensive Lab stuff but, guaranteed (especially done by a non-pro), that it is not as good as a commercially produced cable.
Terminating stranded cable is a major PITA. I'd rather eat week-old raw liver, suck warm worms from a dirty shovel, and vote Democratic than terminate another stranded UTP cable. I've done literally hundreds (and I had a certification-grade scanner to verify them) ... I'd pay double at a drugstore to buy one versus make another one of my own.
In the end, it's not really any cheaper, and there ain't no bragging rights in " Hey Look!! I've created my own suck-ass jumper cable! I bet this baby'll be good for some intermittent drop-outs an a couple {hours|days|weeks}!
Find a nice, inexpensive place and buy one. You'll ultimately be soooooooo happy you did.
FWIW
I'd add that the other usual complication is that most folks don't realize that there are four basic kinds of RJ45-style connectors: two are for flat cable (unshielded, untwisted) like phone / PBX desksets) and the other two are for round UTP ... one is for solid-core UTP, the other is for stranded-core UTP.
If you don't use the correct connector on the cable, it makes for a really suck-ass connection (you understand technical terms, right?
) Beyond that, using cheap, unrated RJ45-style connectors means (by spec) that you cable is unrated .... as the cabling system assumes the rating of the lowest rated component.
Following all of the above, is that someone will invariably say " I do it and it works;" and it's probably true that there is some data getting through. Chances are that the cable is "sub-optimal" (especially "hand-made Cat6" which is automatically out of spec) and performance is degraded to some extent. Exactly how much would require some pretty expensive Lab stuff but, guaranteed (especially done by a non-pro), that it is not as good as a commercially produced cable.
Terminating stranded cable is a major PITA. I'd rather eat week-old raw liver, suck warm worms from a dirty shovel, and vote Democratic than terminate another stranded UTP cable. I've done literally hundreds (and I had a certification-grade scanner to verify them) ... I'd pay double at a drugstore to buy one versus make another one of my own.
In the end, it's not really any cheaper, and there ain't no bragging rights in " Hey Look!! I've created my own suck-ass jumper cable! I bet this baby'll be good for some intermittent drop-outs an a couple {hours|days|weeks}!
Find a nice, inexpensive place and buy one. You'll ultimately be soooooooo happy you did.
FWIW
Originally posted by: ScottMac
Spidey pretty much nailed it.
I'd add that the other usual complication is that most folks don't realize that there are four basic kinds of RJ45-style connectors: two are for flat cable (unshielded, untwisted) like phone / PBX desksets) and the other two are for round UTP ... one is for solid-core UTP, the other is for stranded-core UTP.
If you don't use the correct connector on the cable, it makes for a really suck-ass connection (you understand technical terms, right?
Beyond that, using cheap, unrated RJ45-style connectors means (by spec) that you cable is unrated .... as the cabling system assumes the rating of the lowest rated component.
Following all of the above, is that someone will invariably say " I do it and it works;" and it's probably true that there is some data getting through. Chances are that the cable is "sub-optimal" (especially "hand-made Cat6" which is automatically out of spec) and performance is degraded to some extent. Exactly how much would require some pretty expensive Lab stuff but, guaranteed (especially done by a non-pro), that it is not as good as a commercially produced cable.
Terminating stranded cable is a major PITA. I'd rather eat week-old raw liver, suck warm worms from a dirty shovel, and vote Democratic than terminate another stranded UTP cable. I've done literally hundreds (and I had a certification-grade scanner to verify them) ... I'd pay double at a drugstore to buy one versus make another one of my own.
In the end, it's not really any cheaper, and there ain't no bragging rights in " Hey Look!! I've created my own suck-ass jumper cable! I bet this baby'll be good for some intermittent drop-outs an a couple {hours|days|weeks}!
Find a nice, inexpensive place and buy one. You'll ultimately be soooooooo happy you did.
FWIW
WTF please don't tell me you aren't going to vote for Obama.
Really it baffales me that people even think of voting for anyone but Obama.
Originally posted by: ICRS
Originally posted by: ScottMac
Spidey pretty much nailed it.
I'd add that the other usual complication is that most folks don't realize that there are four basic kinds of RJ45-style connectors: two are for flat cable (unshielded, untwisted) like phone / PBX desksets) and the other two are for round UTP ... one is for solid-core UTP, the other is for stranded-core UTP.
If you don't use the correct connector on the cable, it makes for a really suck-ass connection (you understand technical terms, right?
Beyond that, using cheap, unrated RJ45-style connectors means (by spec) that you cable is unrated .... as the cabling system assumes the rating of the lowest rated component.
Following all of the above, is that someone will invariably say " I do it and it works;" and it's probably true that there is some data getting through. Chances are that the cable is "sub-optimal" (especially "hand-made Cat6" which is automatically out of spec) and performance is degraded to some extent. Exactly how much would require some pretty expensive Lab stuff but, guaranteed (especially done by a non-pro), that it is not as good as a commercially produced cable.
Terminating stranded cable is a major PITA. I'd rather eat week-old raw liver, suck warm worms from a dirty shovel, and vote Democratic than terminate another stranded UTP cable. I've done literally hundreds (and I had a certification-grade scanner to verify them) ... I'd pay double at a drugstore to buy one versus make another one of my own.
In the end, it's not really any cheaper, and there ain't no bragging rights in " Hey Look!! I've created my own suck-ass jumper cable! I bet this baby'll be good for some intermittent drop-outs an a couple {hours|days|weeks}!
Find a nice, inexpensive place and buy one. You'll ultimately be soooooooo happy you did.
FWIW
WTF please don't tell me you aren't going to vote for Obama.
Really it baffales me that people even think of voting for anyone but Obama.
Not with a cocked gun to my head. I'm from Chicago, I know what an Empty-Suit POS, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois Democratic Machine product he is.
But let's not get OT.
I made a quick joke and got buried ... heh
In my defense, I think a regular Cat5e would do him fine, as he would probably have no use for Cat6. Are you guys advocating not making Cat5e cables as well? Or just Cat6?
In my defense, I think a regular Cat5e would do him fine, as he would probably have no use for Cat6. Are you guys advocating not making Cat5e cables as well? Or just Cat6?
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