Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: How to get Gigabit speed with Cat 5 cable

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Posts
    3,620

    How to get Gigabit speed with Cat 5 cable

    I have recently changed my router with a Cisco router which includes gigabit port. I was already having a gigabit LAN card installed on my computer. But my problem is that I am unable to get 1000 Mbps speed. Under Local Area Connections it is still shown as 100 Mbps. Is it because of my CAT5 cable? How can I get gigabit speed with Cat5 cable?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    4,221

    Re: How to get Gigabit speed with Cat 5 cable

    1000BASE-T is a standard for gigabit Ethernet over copper wiring. Each 1000BASE-T network segment can be a maximum length of 100 meters (328 feet), and must utilize "Category 5" cabling at a minimum. Category 5e cable or Category 6 cable may also be used and is often recommended.

    1000BASE-T requires all four pairs to be present. If two Gigabit devices are connected through a non-compliant Cat5 cable with four pairs, many FCS errors and retransmissions may occur. If two Gigabit devices are connected through a non-compliant Cat5 cable with two pairs only, negotiation takes place on two pairs only.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    991

    Re: How to get Gigabit speed with Cat 5 cable

    Although CAT5 can be used alongwith gigabit devices, it is always recommended to have a higher level of cabling to get the maximum throughput. As per general terms (cable type - best suited for the connection):

    Category 5 - 100 mbps
    Category 5e - 1 Gigabit/sec
    Category 6 - 3 Gigabit/sec
    Category 6A - 10 Gigabit/sec

    So I would advise you to buy CAT5e or CAT6 cable and get the maximum speed.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    551

    Re: How to get Gigabit speed with Cat 5 cable

    1000 Base T was designed for use on standard CAT5 cable, however CAT5E is recommended due to its tighter specifications. You won't be able to go further than 100 Mbps if you continue with your CAT5 cable. Cat5e should be fine if you are using that setup at your home but Cat6 is best in my opinion. CAT 6 is the standard for Gigabit Ethernet and backward compatible with CAT 5 and CAT 5e. CAT 6 provides performance of up to 250 Mhz.

Similar Threads

  1. NETGEAR ProSafe SRX5308 Gigabit Quad WAN Speed Limit
    By The#Gaelic in forum Networking & Security
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 09-03-2012, 07:11 PM
  2. Replies: 3
    Last Post: 03-02-2011, 07:26 PM
  3. Realtek RTL8111C Gigabit chipset (Asus motherboard) + speed slow-down
    By umaymah in forum Motherboard Processor & RAM
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 26-08-2010, 06:03 AM
  4. Gigabit network cable wanted
    By AbhayD in forum Hardware Peripherals
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 01-08-2009, 07:47 PM
  5. Gigabit router or Gigabit switch
    By Sonic in forum Networking & Security
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 05-11-2008, 02:42 PM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Page generated in 1,711,700,581.75440 seconds with 16 queries