Does longer than necessary CAT6 cable slow a network down?

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kathayes

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Jul 7, 2012
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I need to extend the length of some CAT5 cable coming out of a wall, so I'm going to get some couplers and add CAT6 cable to extend its length, though I'm not sure how long I will need yet so I may just buy some cables now without knowing the exact lengths needed.

1. Are there any reasons to connect CAT6 cable to the couplers that will be extending CAT5e cables? Will the CAT6 cables just run at CAT5e speeds since that is what they are connecting to?

2. Will having an extra 2-3 ft of extra slack make any different with performance? Does it slow it down in any way?

Thanks!
 
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^What he said. Go with Cat5. You will see no speed difference with Cat6, you'll only pay more. As for length, 2-3 feet will be no speed difference at all. Bad things only happen when you start going over 100 feet. I ran cat 5 through my attic and I ran into problems, but that's where you start getting into 10base/100base stuff, which you won't have to worry about.



Also, you can actually buy large spools of cat5 with no ends, and buy ends...
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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1. Your network 'speed' depends on the capabilities of the slowest device in the chain. Only buy Cat6 if it is the same price as Cat5e. You will see no speed difference with Cat6.

2. As long as it is under 100 meters, there is no difference. 10 feet or 150 feet....you will see no difference.
 
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Danny Moody

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Jun 25, 2014
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^What he said. Go with Cat5. You will see no speed difference with Cat6, you'll only pay more. As for length, 2-3 feet will be no speed difference at all. Bad things only happen when you start going over 100 feet. I ran cat 5 through my attic and I ran into problems, but that's where you start getting into 10base/100base stuff, which you won't have to worry about.



Also, you can actually buy large spools of cat5 with no ends, and buy ends and make the cable yourself, that way you can make the cable as long/short as you want, but it takes some know-how and possibly extra money if you're only going to make one cable.

 
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