[EvanDuke]

Hi! I’m faced with the problem of choosing an Ethernet cable for my network in 2025. I currently have Cat5e, and frankly, I’m not sure whether it’s worth changing. I’m planning to upgrade my Internet tariff to 1 Gbps and add a couple of new devices in the near future, and here’s the question: is it worth changing the cable to something more modern, for example, Cat6 or Cat6a? It’s important for me to understand the difference between them and what the replacement will ultimately give – improved speed or connection stability. Has anyone even tested the difference between these cables in practice? I’d be glad to hear any advice, especially if you’ve already updated the cable in your network!

[tbes50203]

Hi! I just recently upgraded my cable to Cat6, so I can explain a little about the difference between these types and when it is worth making the switch. Many people ask the question, How long can and Ethernet Cable be? Let me start by saying that Cat5e is, of course, a completely working option, but it was developed in the early 2000s and is suitable for Internet speeds up to 1 Gbps. If you have no plans for further improvements in Internet speed or network scaling, then Cat5e will suit you just fine. But if you want your network to be ready for future changes, you should think about Cat6 or Cat6a. Cat6 is a more modern cable that supports speeds up to 10 Gbps, but at a distance of up to 55 meters. This cable already provides more stable data transmission, especially over long distances. For example, if you have large rooms or you are laying cable through several walls, then signal losses may occur on long sections with Cat5e, and Cat6 will work more efficiently. However, it is worth noting that when using Cat6 over long distances (more than 55 meters), the speed may drop.

[thiefcrazy98]

Interesting topic! I also recently had to change the cable, because the old one could not cope with the new network requirements. I went with Cat6, and you can really feel the difference. Although for me it was more a question of connection stability than gigabit speeds. The problems with Cat5e started when I started connecting more devices and, for example, using 4K streaming. Yes, if you do not have plans for high-speed Internet, then Cat5e will still be good, but if you want to be on the safe side for the future, Cat6 is what you need.

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