Is there such a thing as a better ethernet cable?

I picked up a Belkin ethernet cable and read the back of the package. I have to admit what they wrote on the back about the cable was impressive and made it sound like I would get better speeds by using there cable. It also cost a few dollars more than a generic ethernet cable.

Is it possible the Belkin cable will give better speeds?

 

Unlikely. There is such a thing as cheap-no-frills ethernet cable, and there is such a thing as everything-but-the-kitchen-sink ethernet cable, and the latter will most likely perform better than the former, mainly because the former will more likely than not have wiring that will fail rather quickly. However, once you get out of the bargain basement bin, ethernet cable is generally ethernet cable, and Belkin products are (usually) no exception.

 

Cat5 has different grades and generally this is what a network cable is made with but for the average home network your not even close to pushing the limits of cheap Cat5.

I wouldnt get some hand made 3rd world cable though lol, just go to monoprice.com and enjoy the money I just saved you with that link.

Oops nevermind you already have a cable well go see the money you could have saved

 

I make my own cables, more money saved, LOL.

Anyways.. with poor cables, you might get packet loss thus reducing your bandwidth. Just don't get those ultracheap cables and you're fine

 

Good prices....bookmarking that one.

Belkin products by definition are lower performance....but even they cannot screw up a cat5 cable....I think.

 

I used to make my own, but the eyes just aren't what they used to be.....can't get all the little wires in all the little holes. Any one want my crimping tool?

 

Yes please, send it to me. I'll PM you the address.

 

That's the first time you've visited monoprice.com?!?

 

yep---i didn't get the memo

 

Personal rule of thumb:

once monster starts making a specific cable, I start buying the cheapest ones available.

 

I have made great use of my crimping tool to make custom cables you cant find anywhere else

Who else here has RJ45 --> USB or RJ45 --> Gamecube

I dont think there is much money to save in making your own cables, but the good thing is getting exactly the right length that you need.

 

Me? LOL

 

db9-rj45 = cisco console cable

 

....don't think that was quite where he was going with his question.....a great conversation starter though...drag it out and throw it on the table and everyone says,,,,what's that for?

 

I'd just thought I'd share what Tom's Hardware had posted... Gigabit ethernet cables all have the same limitations (namely hard drive read & write speed), so it is unlikely that a certain cable will perform much better than any other cable. Just buy one that seems to be of good quality.

 

Even regular Cat 5 cables support gigabit network speeds. So in the case of speed, better cables won't speed things up.

For computer to computer transfers, the best upgrade you can do is upgrade your OS to at least Vista SP1 or Server 2008, which both support SMB 2.0.

 

Hyper Terminal, FTW.