Can CAT3 Be Used For Ethernet? | Is it possible?

Ethernet cables have been in the household for quite some time. Even though technology has evolved to wireless connections, the wired one cannot be replaced. So we have moved on from the older Cat3 to the latest Cat8. 

Although unpopular now, Cat3 ethernet cables were the first of their kind to deliver speedy internet. Well, for its time. But talking in the era where live streaming, twitch, and high-speed video calling are the thing, can cat3 be used for ethernet in your home or workspace? 

To that question, it totally depends on your needs. If you are a pro gamer, streamer, or do heavy file transfers, Cat3 ethernet is not for you. But for regular browsing here and there, a little Youtube from time to time is fine for a Cat3 ethernet. Let’s discuss more about it and what you should use, shall we? 

Can I Use CAT3 for Ethernet and Get 100 Mbps?

Cat3 have been used in a lot of households and offices back in the 90s. But with Cat5 and Cat6 in the market, they slowly faded away. You will still find some houses with Cat3 if you’re lucky. 

The question here is that can you use them as ethernet cables and extensions? Yes, most certainly you can. But keep in mind, they won’t give you a speed over 10 Mbps. 

As they were made that way and the internet wasn’t fast enough back then, they worked fine. But with more available speed and tech updates, Cat3 has become a bit backdated. 

So if you are aiming to get 100 Mbps with a Cat3 cable, you won’t. Although some come leveled as 100 Mbps, they do not deliver over 10 Mbps due to their wire construction. You will notice Cat5, Cat6, and above has more than 3 and sometimes 6 wire construction. This is due to the high-speed transfer rates. This allows high-speed streaming, gaming, and broadcasting easier. 

Can You Stream With CAT3 Cable Ethernet?

Sadly you cannot stream efficiently, or at all with a cat3 cable. Let alone browsing a good size website needs a lot of speed to load these days due to its size and functionality. 

What you can do with cat3 cable is check mail, browse relatively low-key websites, and buffer stream Youtube. 

To give you a clear idea about which Cat cable provides and what type of speed, here is a chart. This will help you upgrade or stay on the type of ethernet cable you are using. 

Type and Category	Max. Speed
Cat3	10 Mbps
Cat5e	100 Mbps
Cat6	1000 Mbps
Cat6a	10 Gbps
Cat8	40 Gbps

Should I Upgrade My House CAT3 Ethernet Cable?

If you are not much of a net freak, occasionally check your mail, and like cable TV rather than Netflix and chill, you can keep your Cat3 ethernet in place. 

But if you are an ambitious gamer, live streamer, or Netflix jamming person, going for a change would be good. You can easily change your Cat3 cable even if it is inside your wall. Or a hired professional can do it for you pronto. We suggest you go for a Cat6 ethernet cable. 

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQs)

What is the Cat3 cable used for?

Cat3 cable is used mainly for telephone and low-speed internet. Their combination of two or more wires makes them unable to cope with the latest technology of the internet, hence the slow speed. 

Is Cat3 still used?

Yes. You will still find Cat3 being used in 10BASE-T network systems and telephone lines. 

Does cat type matter Ethernet?

Yes. Cat type tells you the speed you can get from your ethernet cable. If you have high-speed internet, you have to go for a better cable like Cat6 or Cat6a. Otherwise, a less speedy line won’t require such an updated ethernet cable. 

What’s the difference between Cat 3 and Cat 5?

The main difference between Cat 3 and Cat 5 is the speed they can deliver. Cat 3 can only deliver 10 Mbps while Cat 5 can up to 100 Mbps depending on their quality.

Conclusion 

To conclude, we suggest you upgrade your Cat3 cable to a more reliable one. Although you are not a frequent user, you might need it on a rainy day. And it’s always good to stay updated. Who knows, you might even like to stream some Netflix or get into gaming.