The internet is by far one of the most popular methods of communication for personal and professional use. When you are interested in having a network installed where you can have access to Ethernet, you’ll have to make the choice between CAT5 and CAT6 cable. There are a wide variety of differences between the two, especially in terms of information processing speeds and convenience of use. Typically you can talk to your installation technician to determine which type of cabling would be the best for your network, though having background information about the two can also help you to make the right choice. Below are some of the most prevalent differences between CAT5 and CAT6 cable.
Understanding CAT5 Cable
The first thing to know about CAT5 is the fact that it was the original type of cabling used when Ethernet was first implemented. This means that it is one of the most obsolete types of cabling that you can choose from, but it can also be the least expensive. The main concern that many people have with CAT5 cable is the fact that it is outdated and inconvenient to use for modern day applications.
CAT5 Ethernet Speeds
One of the main things to consider when choosing between cabling is the speed that you’ll get on your Ethernet with each type of cabling. CAT5 offers 10/100 Mbps, which is incredibly slow when compared to CAT6. There’s a high probability that your network won’t be able to handle a lot of information which is something that is difficult to deal with, particularly if you are consistently using apps, trying to play video games, or even stream media. The maximum bandwidth that you’ll be able to get with CAT5 is 100 MHz but even speeds close to 100 MHz can be difficult for the cabling to handle.
It is advised that you avoid using CAT5 cabling at all costs, unless you are in a position to where you need Ethernet installed on a budget and won’t require reasonable amounts of information processing on your network.
What is CAT5e?
If you’ve done some research into CAT5 cabling, you might have heard about CAT5e. It is essentially an upgrade from CAT5 and is most commonly used for modern installations. The main benefit to CAT5e is that it helps to reduce the amount of crosstalk that you’ll experience with your network. Crosstalk can be difficult for businesses to deal with, especially if other buildings that have networks installed in the same area surround them. Crosstalk is essentially comprised of signals and electrical interference that can negatively affect the way that your network works. It is a single step above CAT5 but it can handle up to 1000 Mbps at 100 MHz.
Understanding CAT6 Cable
If you talk to any modern day installer, they’re going to tell you that CAT6 cable is your best bet because it truly is. Although it can be a little bit pricier than CAT5, it is well worth the money because you’ll get the perfect amount of speed and reliability that you need on a regular basis. This particular type of cable is designed to handle up to 10 gigabits and Ethernet speeds of 250 MHz, making it more than 2x better than CAT5e and substantially improved when compared to CAT5. When you have CAT6 cable installed you will also be able to take advantage of an internal separator that is used to isolate signals from each other. This means that there is 0 chance of being disrupted by crosstalk and electrical interference.
One of the main reasons as to why more people are opting for CAT6 cable is because it gives them the ability to prepare for the future. Imagine all of the data that you use on a regular basis today and compare it to 10 years ago. Over the years your Ethernet is going to have to be able to handle more and more data processing without failing. CAT6 gives you the ability to future-proof your network so your network is prepared for even heavier tasks.
It’s also important to note that although CAT6 is the most modern and reliable type of cable that you can find, it isn’t something that is going to be substantially more expensive than other types of cabling. In fact, it only has a slight price increase, which makes it easier for residential and commercial property owners to use to their advantage. You’ll also find that the majority of network installation technicians prefer to work with CAT6 cable and most companies won’t have CAT5 cable available for you to use.
If you’re looking for reliable uptime and an ample amount of speed, CAT6 is by far your best bet. With the ability to drastically improve your network and be prepared for the future, it’s the best investment you can make.
