Which Ethernet category.

[OP_Chief]

I have Google Fiber ( Only in about 4 cities in America) Which is Gigabit internet. I get speeds of about 900 up and 900 down. Only thing it, I feel like either my pc, or my Ethernet cables are holding me back a little bit. Sometimes, when I have multiple tabs open, my pc disconnects from the web. Is that just my pc, or is that a slow ethernet cable?
Btw, what's the difference between Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat7?

 

[PsyKhiqZero]

If you have multiple tabs open and you PC is disconnecting, I would wager you have a PC problem. Unless all the tabs we're doing something bandwidth intensive then keeping mutiple tabs open should have little to do with network connection or speed. Routers do have a connection speed between the switch (ethernet ports on the back) and the WAN (internet) On crappy routers this speed can be pretty low and can cause connection issues if stressed. I would get a new router if you think your being limited in some way.

Cat 5e and cat 6 are usually physically the same cable. cat 6 just undergoes a different certification process for gigabit speed. Cat 7 is for commercial applications and as a result is much better shielded.

 

[Shaun o]

From cat 5E up to Cat 7.

The quality and purity grade of the copper in each wire connection is more pure, or a higher overall copper content.
Along with shielding used around each cable and the quality of it.
Changes the amount of data and speed information can be signaled down the cable.
Also with a more pure copper content, the cable can be much longer than other cat numbers of cable in distance.
Every cable has a finite length when using copper, the longer it is the more resistance is built up to the signal being sent and generated down the line, and why from Cat 5E onward they have a maximum length specification in meters from end to end. If too long you get lower speeds and the signal weakens due to resistance of the copper in the cable.

 

[OP_Chief]

If you have multiple tabs open and you PC is disconnecting, I would wager you have a PC problem. Unless all the tabs we're doing something bandwidth intensive then keeping mutiple tabs open should have little to do with network connection or speed. Routers do have a connection speed between the switch (ethernet ports on the back) and the WAN (internet) On crappy routers this speed can be pretty low and can cause connection issues if stressed. I would get a new router if you think your being limited in some way.

Cat 5e and cat 6 are usually physically the same cable. cat 6 just undergoes a different certification process for gigabit speed. Cat 7 is for commercial applications and as a result is much better shielded.

When I have multiple tabs open, I'll have multiple YouTube tabs loading videos, and multiple NewEgg tabs open loading computer parts. So I could be eating Bandwidth.(BTW I don't really know what Bandwidth is, so if you could explain it to me, it'd be much appreciated, sorry I'm a newb 😛 ) I have a feeling it is my pc though. I'm running an intel Core 2 Duo @3GHz and I only have 2gb of 800MHz DDR2 Ram. On top of that, I have a EVGA 8800 Gts. A 320 MEGABYTE GDDR3 Graphics card (Stone Age) lol It must be my pc. Either that or my router. But I don't think Google would give their customers a router not capable of Gigabit internet, When there internet is gigabit XD. I Think I'll just get a Cat6 cable just because there pretty cheap. And When I build my new pc, I shouldn't have any problems. *Knock on wood*

 

[PsyKhiqZero]

1. Bandwidth is just another way of saying speed. The task your describing should not be using anywhere near your max speed so yes it's probably your PC.
2. Look up the make an model of your motherboard. IF it supports a quad core you should try to pick on up on ebay. They're pretty cheap. Also get more RAM. What OS are you running
3. I didn't know that google gave you the router. I'm assuming google has much better service then comcast. (us non-google fiber having peasants wouldn't know..) so i will give them the benefit of the doubt that it's not the router.

 

[OP_Chief]

1. Bandwidth is just another way of saying speed. The task your describing should not be using anywhere near your max speed so yes it's probably your PC.
2. Look up the make an model of your motherboard. IF it supports a quad core you should try to pick on up on ebay. They're pretty cheap. Also get more RAM. What OS are you running
3. I didn't know that google gave you the router. I'm assuming google has much better service then comcast. (us non-google fiber having peasants wouldn't know..) so i will give them the benefit of the doubt that it's not the router.

My motherboard IS in fact quad core ready, but I'm saving up right now to buy this Moster PC (http://pcpartpicker.com/p/9CFDRB) So when I upgrade, I UPGRADE MAJOR XD . My Ram is an issue. I started out with 6GB of 800mhz ddr2 ram ( 2X2GB and 2X1GB) but my Ram has just been going bad. I would get Blue Screens everyday, so I ran Memtest and I got memory issues, so I just chucked the bad ram. I'm down to my last 2gb stick right now. And My OS is a non genuine copy of windows because I cant' afford a real copy at the moment 🙁 So that might play a major role in the issue.
And about Google Fiber, It's advertised as the fastest Internet In america. And when I say it's fast...IT'S FAST! Words cannot explain it unless you experience it for yourself. I downloaded Left 4 Dead 2 from Steam in about 20 minutes. That game is about 8 Gb's. Google Fiber started In Kansas City (Current Location) Austin TX, and some town in Nevada I believe. But they are expanding as we speak! Be on the lookout, they might be in your town before the year is up! They have signups when they come to your neighborhood. They'll mail you an Advertisement sheet with plans. I pay $70 a month for 900 up and 900 down speeds. If you get the chance to apply for it, get it!!! You'll never regret it.
But I think when I build my new Stormtrooper Enthusiast (My new PC's name lol) It will fix my internet problems I hope. 😀

 

[jsmithepa]

Go ahead, buy a CAT6 cable and see if it makes a difference, as you said, not expensive at all. Of course you will have it hooked up DIRECTLY to the router/switch and not going through a "wall" cable of which is unknown. Try another browser.

The fastest Internet is Internet 2 but is not available to the general public, yet.