should I get a Cat 6 or Cat 7 Ethernet Cable?

Zombie_hunter99

Commendable
Mar 8, 2016
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0
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Hi everyone, I was wondering if I should get a Cat 6 or Cat 7 Ethernet Cable. I will be using the ethernet cable to play online games, using VOIP programs such as Skype or Teamspeak, VOIP in games, streaming music and video, downloading software and drivers and browsing the web. The cable will be running through one wall (that is exposed on one side) through a bathroom and then through another wall into the room with my computers in it. The cable will be running from an ethernet switch that is directly connected to my router. I think that the internet I pay for is 100-200 mbps. The Cat 7 ethernet cable is only around 5-15 dollars more than the Cat 6 cable for the cables that I am looking at. Do I need the extra protection from cross talk and interferences that the Cat 7 cable provides? How much more reliable is a cat 7 cable than Cat 6 cable? I plan on using the cable with a desktop computer with a motherboard from around 2.5 years ago, one laptop from around 1.5 years ago and other laptop from 12-13 years ago. Will I still get good internet speeds when using either of these cables with either the 12-13 year old computer or the more modern one? Lastly I will sometimes be using an ethernet switch that will be connected to the end of the cable, with multiple computers using plugged into it at the same time all using the internet. Thank you, hope you all can answer my questions.
 
Solution
The problem with flat cable is I don't think any of it is certified cable. The specs say the wire must be between awg 22-24, most those flat cables use much thinner wire. Now they might work but you only have the manufacture saying they do and they might (i doubt it) pass the test on a meter to be certified. They still can never be officially certified because they are made with wire that is disallowed.

The trick with ethernet is it that lots of things work that are out of specs at shorter distances. If you actually tried to run 100 meters it is much harder to accomplish.


Yes there is no problem.
USAFRet makes a valid point. you can even go lower.

I run an old Cat5 without the "e" and I run stable speeds at +500 mbps download without any problems what so ever.
 

USAFRet

Titan
Moderator


They're all "Twisted Pair" (TP)
The Shield(S) is mostly just a wrapper around the wires. Not critically needed.

The main thing is to buy a quality cable, not matter which 'Cat'.
But a reasonable Cat5e is perfect for any residential needs. 1gigabit out to 100 meters.
Anyone that says you need Cat7 is blowing smoke.
 
The problem with flat cable is I don't think any of it is certified cable. The specs say the wire must be between awg 22-24, most those flat cables use much thinner wire. Now they might work but you only have the manufacture saying they do and they might (i doubt it) pass the test on a meter to be certified. They still can never be officially certified because they are made with wire that is disallowed.

The trick with ethernet is it that lots of things work that are out of specs at shorter distances. If you actually tried to run 100 meters it is much harder to accomplish.
 
Solution
see its been a while.

stranded cable is used between the PC and the wall jack. It is mostly used in situations where you need a lot of flexibility. Technically it is not rated to go in a wall but this is mostly because wall jacks are not made to terminiate it. You need special rj45 plugs for stranded wire.

I only use solid cable and it has been plenty flexible. I did have a stranded cable I kept in my laptop bag because it was easier to roll up but I lost it and have been using a normal solid one ever since.