Network cables.

Briton · 24 May 2011 at 14:55

I'm just about to install a wired network and was wondering whether it was worth using CAT6 cable. Is a home network likely to have any benefit from that in the near future or should I save the pennies and use CAT5?

shine · 24 May 2011 at 14:57

Save the pennies - get cat 5 or 5e, you won't need 6.

Briton · 24 May 2011 at 14:58

OK...thanks.

hellarda · 24 May 2011 at 15:00

personally I'd go for cat6, as its not that much more and is much more future proof

quickshot89 · 24 May 2011 at 15:33

cat5e works for 1000T-base when its 10 meters or less from memory

Dist · 24 May 2011 at 17:17

quickshot89 said:
cat5e works for 1000T-base when its 10 meters or less from memory

Well for a start 1000Base-T is gigabit ethernet, Cat5e supports that over the full 100m length. 10GBase-T requires Cat6a for full 100m runs of cable, but Cat6 or Cat5e can still do 10GBase-T but only over very short lengths, too short for cabling that will be going inside of walls.

If you want to future proof then go ahead and get Cat6a if you think the price is worth future proofing, but keep in mind that 10Gigabit home devices are a LONG way off as not only are the prices for current 10Gb devices very high, but also there is little in the home environment that could even take advantage of such speeds.