wired devices connected, such as MacBooks, gaming consoles, and desktop computers, will provide significantly enhanced performance and dependability for activities like online gaming, media streaming, and file sharing. However, what some might overlook is that wired Ethernet cables, akin to wireless networks, come with their limitations. Not every cable is equivalent, and indeed, some cables can restrict bandwidth or internet speeds.
Ethernet cables are categorized by a “Cat” rating, representing their category. The Cat rating indicates the generation, with older generation cables only supporting lower speeds. For instance, Cat5 cables have a maximum capacity of 100 Mbps. In comparison, Cat5e or Cat6 can achieve up to 1Gbps, and Cat6a can reach speeds of 10Gbps, illustrating a considerable difference. Additionally, there are Cat7 and Cat8 cables, which are intended for large operations such as data centers or businesses focused on digital activities with high traffic.
Here’s the challenging aspect, though. The lowest-rated cable in a connection dictates the maximum speed for the entire setup. For instance, if you use a network switch to connect two cables, one being Cat6 and the other Cat5; despite having the higher bandwidth cable, the speed will only reach the lower 100Mbps limit. The oldest and slowest cable will create a bottleneck effect. A common sign of sluggish internet over a wired connection is the use of an outdated, slower cable. The positive aspect is that it’s simple to verify. Most cables clearly indicate on their shell or jacket what category rating they possess. Cat5 will be marked accordingly, in contrast to Cat5e, Cat6, and so on.
