Cat5e or Cat6

[#1]

I've just upgraded to full fibre with an existing Plusnet 2 router.  It originally came with a Cat5E cable, for use with regular broadband, but the installer says he mainly sees Cat6.  I need to buy a new 10m cable.  Any advice on which one I should get?  Thanks!

[#2 · Accepted solution]

@neilb2 

They are both rated at the same speed. Cat5e is more flexible. Cat6 has more sheilding and is more a business cable where significant amounts of data are being handled.

Capacity wise think of a dual carriageway against a moterway.

Brian

[#3]

Thanks, Brian!

[#4]

@neilb2 

I should have added to make certain you get a good quality solid copper core cable. Buying cheap ones is not recomended.

Brian

[#5]

@neilb2 Don't waste your money on Cat6 you'll gain nothing whatsoever  , Cat5e is fine up to 1Gbps, especially in a domestic setting. 👍 Stick with what you have and save time, effort and money. 

[#6]

Patch leads between PCs and switches are usually stranded copper, so the cores can withstand repeated movement without fracturing.

Fixed infrastructure cables between sockets fixed to walls should be solid copper.

[#7]

@RichardB 

I was thinking of cheap cables that use steel or aluminium for the core with a copper plating. Pure copper cables, whether stranded or solid, are better.

Brian

[#8]

Indeed Copper Covered Aluminium (CCA) Ethernet cables should be avoided.

[#9]

@RichardB 

And CCS - Copper Covered Steel

Brian

[#10]

To second this I am using Cat5e in 1Gb switches perfectly. I terminate my own cables I bought a 305m box so I can feed through small holes for the wired elements of my network. I have some approaching 20m in length still solid at 1Gb. I have modern switches, older switches may be more fussy.

[#11]

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This topic has been moved from Full Fibre to Tech Help