When it comes to using network cables, be it setting up at home or for a multi-machine system in a professional setting, people tend to debate on the right cables to use, and with good reason to. One of the things that comes up during such debates is whether the network would be more efficient with the use of either a Cat5 (Category 5) cable or a Cat5e (Category 5 enhanced) cable.
While both cables can plug into the same ports thanks to the RJ-45 (the piece at the end of ethernet cables that allow them to connect to an ethernet jack), there are a few subtle differences that determine which cable is more functional than the other.
Let’s look at a few features of both Cat5 and Cat5e cables to help you decide which one you should be using for your network setup. Read now.
Network Speed
CAT5 cables are ideal for network connections under 100Mbps. They are also more susceptible to crosstalk, the interference you can at times experience between wires inside the cable. This means CAT5 cables will find it challenging to transmit data even up to 100Mbps.
CAT5e cables, on the other hand, can work with speeds up to 1,000Mbps or 1 Gigabit. So if you’re looking for a smoother, faster experience, you should consider using a CAT5e cable.
CAT5 Cables Are Older
CAT5 cables are older and as such, were designed to handle data speeds of up to 100Mbps. If the CAT5 cable is shorter, you may get a higher speed but this is not always guaranteed. CAT5e cables were a design improvement of CAT5 cables hence why they can support faster data speeds without experiencing crosstalk.
Bandwidth
The bandwidth of a medium of transfer is basically its data-carrying capacity. The higher the bandwidth, the faster data is transferred across a network. CAT5 cables are rated at 100Mhz whereas CAT5e cables are rated at 350Mhz. This makes CAT5e cables convenient for use in networks that intend to operate at high ethernet speeds.
Pricing
The prices of both kinds of cables vary according to seller, manufacturer, and length. Ideally, the cables should cost around $0.15 to $0.25 per foot. However, CAT5 cables are not as common as they used to be because of the development of more advanced ethernet cables.
Buying either solid or stranded cabling also determines the cost of the cables. If you don’t plan on spending too much, then you should go for stranded cabling as it should be much cheaper.
Choosing Between the CAT5 and CAT5e Cable
Every single component in an IT system can prove to be the difference between peak and average performance. What most people fail to realize is that what will work for the IT functions of one industry will not necessarily work in another.
It’s advisable that you use a CAT5e cable when installing a complex network system but for a simple home network, the hardware and connection commonly used in residential setups should work with a CAT5 ethernet cable.
Just remember that your network speed is not the same as your internet speed. Your internet provider is what determines the speed of your internet service so the difference in cable use will not improve the loading speed of the pages you visit.
