Gigabit switches, buy the cheapest or is there a difference

snowdog · 26 Oct 2012 at 05:26

Hello,

I need one or 2 gigabit switches to get enough cabled LAN connections at home everywhere I want. I remember reading something a while ago that there is barely ANY difference between switches, even the el cheapo ones were 910 mbit at worst...

Is this true? Should I just go out and buy any el cheapo unmanaged 5 port gigabit switch for 10-15 and will it not lag the network down ?

CaNsA · 26 Oct 2012 at 06:29

Depends on what goes on in your network.....

Are you gaming all over the house?
If it is just general web usage and media streaming then I would imagine any old GB switch would do.

dbmzk1 · 26 Oct 2012 at 07:43

Get the cheapest you can find, it will make no difference unless you're trying to transfer files from like 50 PCs all at once etc.

I've got 2 of these and they are fantastic, though they were a bit cheaper when I bought them...

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-011-TP&groupid=46&catid=2316&subcat=

Banzai_Joe · 26 Oct 2012 at 08:00

Yeah, you certainly don't need managed ones for a home network.
What i did for mine was stick a 24-port 3com gigabit switch in the loft and then cabled down into each room, terminating in a wallplate that housed 1 x RJ-45 and 1 x coax (for tv distribution too).

But, i use those tplink ones at work for when our desks don't have enough ports in the floor. They work fine. I certainly recommend them for home use.

Duke · 26 Oct 2012 at 08:32

A lot on here don't have issues with the cheap switches, but personally I spent a bit more and went for the HP Procurve desktop switch.

Banzai_Joe · 26 Oct 2012 at 09:02

Duke said:
A lot on here don't have issues with the cheap switches, but personally I spent a bit more and went for the HP Procurve desktop switch.

Yep, good switches but well overkill for home use.

booyaka · 26 Oct 2012 at 11:47

I've got a Netgear GS105UK Gigabit and a HP 1410-16G 16 Port Gigabit Switch in my house and can't fault either. Super fast transfer speeds between server and pc's etc. Very very good.