I thought Ethernet cables were all the same. I was very, very wrong

The different Ethernet standards explained! BY DOMINIC BAYLEY

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If you've been browsing Ethernet cables online, you may have seen they come with names like CAT 5, CAT 6, CAT 7, and CAT 8. And no, we're not talking about the feline kind of CAT...meow! So what does all that mean, and is there any difference between these various Ethernet cables?

DEFINING CAT IN ETHERNET CABLES

The CAT label in Ethernet cables stands for “category,” which denotes its standard and specification. You can tell which category the cables belong to by the number suffix each one has.

The main difference between the different categories is the rated performance of each. They also have different wire configurations and other variations in how they are made, like how tightly they are wound, and some have inner plastic tubing.

Just like USB cables, Ethernet cables get faster and more efficient with each successive generation released. That's great news for gamers looking for faster and more reliable cables for lag-free network gaming.

CAT AND DATA TRANSFER SPEEDS

CAT 5 and CAT 5e (fave.co/444vtav) cables are an early generation of Ethernet cable dating back to the early noughties. CAT 5 cables provide data transmission speeds up to 100Mbps at 100MHz, whereas CAT 5e cables are slightly superior, providing speeds up to 1,000Mbps at 100MHz. That means CAT 5e cables tend to be a little more stable and less prone to lag than CAT 5 cables.

Both CAT 5 and CAT 5e cable types are quick enough for most household or work-related network needs, whether that be to hook up multiple PCs or external devices like printers. They're widely used by small offices, schools, and colleges for things like hubs, switches, and routers.