is cat5e good for gaming? – answered

A gaming setup needs a lot of attention to detail. Even the type of ethernet cable can make a difference in a competitive online game. But gamers get confused about which one to go for among the different types of ethernet cables. 

CAT5e is one of the ethernet cables that is a great choice for gamers. It’s not as futureproof as the later versions of cables but it is still a great option for an average gamer. It is both efficient and cheap which makes it even more desirable.

Here in this article, we will discuss more the CAT5e ethernet cable and give you a better understanding of whether it is a good choice for gaming.

Will the CAT5e Ethernet Cable Be Enough for Gaming?

CAT5e is the 5^th generation of ethernet cables. The “e” represents “enhanced”. The CAT5e cable offers 1Gbps data transfer speed up to a length of 50 meters and 100Mbps up to a length of 100 meters. It also has a bandwidth speed of 350MHz which is nothing to scoff at.

1. Gaming

For gaming purposes, you will never need more than 100Mbps internet speed from the ethernet cable since games don’t require that much internet speed. Sure, you might experience a bit of lag from time to time because of the internet, but it does not take away from the efficiency of the CAT5e cable.

2. Futureproof

CAT5e is not as futureproof as its successors since it is an old model of ethernet cables. There are better cables now that provide a lot more speed and efficiency than CAT5e. And since wires can be difficult to replace in a home, it is not futureproofed.

3. EMI Eliminating Capabilities

Ethernet cables are almost always subjected to electromagnetic interference. So, the better shielding it has, the better service it can provide. Unfortunately, CAT5e is not that great for EMI-eliminating capabilities. This means that if there is a lot of electromagnetic interference, you will end up with a bad gaming experience since there will be bad latency and reduced speed because of the EMI.

CAT5e is still a great option for a casual and semi-competitive gamer. Even some pro gamers still use CAT5e cable since it seems to cover all their needs.

Alternatives to CAT5e Cable for Gaming

Although the CAT5e cable is a great ethernet cable to go for, it may not fulfill your needs. In that case, you can go for the CAT6 or CAT6a ethernet cable. These are the 6^th generation ethernet cable that offers better performance than CAT5e cables. These are also future-proof since they are the next and upgraded versions of ethernet cables after CAT5e.

CAT6 offers 10Gbps and 1 Gbps data transfer speeds over a distance of 50 meters and 100 meters respectively. This cable comes with a bandwidth of 550MHz which is much greater than what CAT5e has to offer.

CAT6a is even better since it is an augmented version of CAT6; which is what the “a” in CAT6a stands for. It offers a whopping 10Gbps data transfer speed over a distance of 100 meters and also has an enhanced bandwidth of 750MHz.

There’s also CAT7 and CAT8 but you honestly won’t need them for gaming. Those are very pricey and gaming will never need that much internet speed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is CAT5e good enough for console gaming?

Yes, the CAT5e ethernet cable will be just fine for console gaming.

Is CAT5e faster than Wi-Fi?

Yes, CAT5e is an ethernet cable and ethernet is generally faster than Wi-Fi. Ethernet is connected directly to your PC which minimizes traffic. This gives you better and faster internet than Wi-Fi.

Conclusion

In conclusion, any type of gaming PC build will be great with the CAT5e ethernet cable. So, if you were thinking of getting it then you can go for it without thinking too much. We hope we were able to help you understand whether CAT5e is good for gaming or not. If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us in the comments section.