Cat5e or Cat6?

[Avidius]

I have no idea what I'm doing with Ethernet cables. I was wondering how to tell if my mobo could support Cat6 or if I should even get it. Also, some article I read said something about data rates. Does this mean I will have to pay more if I use the 1gbps that the Cat6 offers? Please help me.

 

[PsyKhiqZero]

Cat 5e and Cat 6 are for the most part interchangeable. The cable itself is pretty much the same, it's the equipment (router, switch or network adapter) that will determine what speed it uses. A network adapter will always connect at the lowest speed possible. For example. If you have a gigabit nic (network adapter) on your PC and you attach it to a router that only supports 100mbps, then the link will be 100mbps.

The connection between your modem and your service provider is fixed by your service provider. Nothing you will increase that speed or incur any cost. Ethernet connection will only effect the speed at which your devices talk to each other and not the speed in which the access the world wide web.

 

[audie-tron25]

You'll be alright with a CAT 5e cable, I doubt you'll need more than 1GB/s. Everyone uses CAT 5E anyway

 

[Avidius]

So I could just buy a Cat6 cable and it will still do everything a Cat5e does, correct? Also, I would still like to know if there is a way to ensure my mobo supports cat6 and.

Does Ethernet have a distinct advantage over wireless in gaming?

 

[PsyKhiqZero]

Yes, you can buy cat 6 and it will do everything that cat 5e does. But what I'm trying to say is that cat 5e and cat 6 are identical cables. They just under go different certification. Cat 5e will often run at 1Gbps so long as the hardware is capable. It's just a way to save a little money.

Ethernet is far more reliable then wireless gaming. It also has for lower latency which is more important then raw speed.