Is Cat5 enough for online gaming?

[damius]

Hello guys, I just asked our local electronics store and asked if they have lan cables and they have cat5. I researched around and found out that cat5 is an old type of lan cable. Is it enough for gaming without lag or stutters due to high ping? thanks in advance guys.

 

[Joseph DeGarmo]

I'm currently using a Cat6 cable, so I would suspect that it is better for gaming. Videos tend to stream better on Cat6 than Cat5e, so Cat6 is more future-proof.

 

[Wolfshadw]

Cat 5 has been the LAN standard for the last decade or so. I'd say probably 90% of all LAN wired homes are using Cat 5 cables. Yes, it's more than enough for gaming. Yes, go with Cat 6 if you can.

-Wolf sends

 

[derekullo]

Both cat 5 and cat 6 can run at gigabit speed.
The only difference is cat 6 is better shielding from interference.
If you run both cables behind your microwave the cat6 will have less interference.

 

[USAFRet]

I'm currently using a Cat6 cable, so I would suspect that it is better for gaming. Videos tend to stream better on Cat6 than Cat5e, so Cat6 is more future-proof.

No, there is no real difference in todays use. Your video does not stream better on a Cat6 over a Cat5e.
Cat5 - 100Mbps to 100 meters
Cat5e - 1Gbps out to 100 meters
Cat6 - theoretically 10Gbps out to 33 meters, 1Gbps out to 100 meters
Cat6a - 10Gbps out to 100 meters

Provided it is installed correctly.

 

[James Mason]

Cat5 will only become a hindrance to you if your internet connection is greater than 1000Mbs.

 

[TNT27]

yes also another difference is that cat 6 is able to carry the information for a longer distance and clarity.

 

[TNT27]

so if you got like a 6' cable cat 5, and another 6' cat 6, you wont notice any difference.
However if both those cables were 100'+ the cat 6 is better and you could easily see a difference.

 

[doubletake]

Just find some Cat5e, the extra cost of going with 6 is in no way worth it and its capabilities will never be used unless you actually plan on running 10Gb links in a home server environment/test lab/whatever.