cat5 vs cat6

tremmor

Well-Known Member
I have 3 computers in the house and one wireless laptop.
All cables throughout the house are cat 5. With a addition
installed can i run cat 6 into the wall now. I have lots of cat 6 available
and would like to use it up.

another question is whats the max length or limit for a cat 5 or 6.
i was just going to install in the walls and maybe use it later.
I just wanted it to be available with the coax, fiber optics, phone or what ever.
im guessing i can hook up 5 and 6 with coupler
without issues. would i be correct in this decision.
thanks
 
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Either should be fine. CAT6 is designed for gigabit, but it's all essentially the same. The only real difference is more preventative measures to keep crosstalk and interference down.

I've read CAT6 can't be as long, but I think it's more the standards than anything. The better the wire is, the longer it can be...the more data/faster data travels through the wires, the more susceptible it is to interference.
 
Cat 6 is backwards compatible with cat 5, so that won't be a problem. As for the distances, IIRC both are rated at 100 metres for speeds up to gigabit Ethernet, so you should be good.
 
cat5 and cat 6 have a max length of 328 feet. i got a 100 foot cat6 cable going to my room and im getting 30mbps
 
Ok.....thanks. i will use it up and call it a day.
I always heard from hear it was only the quality of the cable.
maybe faster or and longer run.

One thing comes to mind.
Its only cable. no tool now. disappeared long ago.
a loan or what ever. any cheap tool available to hook up.
they are in the stores like $40.00 or $50.00 for the tool.

ive loaned out tools before. Power tools and forget who.
Oh well ..... my fault. won't happen again.
thanks
 
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