Cat 5 vs. Cat 8 Ethernet Cable – Which one makes a better cable?

The Cat 5 cable has been around a good deal of time, and it is mostly used for home connections. The Cat 8 is one of the newest entrants in the ethernet cables market. So, is the upgrade worth it?

For a long time, the Cat 5 ethernet cable was the only trusted transmission cable when it came to ‘high speed’ internet transmission. Technology has come a long way, and cables have not been left behind. One of the most recent cables, the Cat 8 cable, came with higher speeds and even a better structural build. So, this begs the question, is newer always better, or should you just stick to your first cable love? Here is a detailed comparison.

What are the differences between the Cat 5 and the Cat 8 Ethernet Cables?

Feature	Cat 5 Ethernet Cable	Cat 8 Ethernet Cable
Maximum Transmission Speed	10/ 100Mbps	25Gbps/ 40Gbps
Maximum Transmission Length	100Meters	30Meters
Frequency	100MHz	2,000MHz
Cable Construction Type	Unshielded	Shielded
Connector Type	Rj45	Class I – Rj45 Class II – Non-Rj45
	Check Price Here	Check Price Here

Cat 5 vs. Cat 8 Ethernet Cables – How do they compare?

Construction and Shielding

Ethernet cables are ideally made to transmit data in the form of electromagnetic impulses from the source, usually a router, to a gadget such as a laptop or desktop computer, or devices such as gaming consoles. This is why every one of them needs a good conductor to complete this transmission. Every ethernet cable has copper wires inside to facilitate the transfer of these electromagnetic impulses.

The Cat 5 cable features an incredibly simple build, and you will notice that it is quite flexible. Inside, each copper wire is covered with a thin layer of soft PVC. This is to prevent the copper wires from coming into direct contact with one another since this would result in interference and crosstalk. After applying the PVC casing, the copper wires, usually 8 in number, are then twisted in twos to form 4 twisted pairs. With the Cat 5 cable, there is no other form of internal reinforcement for these copper wires. This is where the blue outer PVC jacket comes in to cover the loosely twisted copper wires. Since there is not much reinforcement, you will notice that this cable is quite flexible, but it does not last too long, especially when exposed to the sun in an outdoor setting.

The Cat 8 has a more detailed build aimed at giving it lots of strength and durability. Each copper wire also features a thin PVC casing to ensure that they do not come into direct contact with each other. They are then twisted into 4 pairs, and the twist is made quite tight to prevent them from developing crosstalk. Covering each twisted pair of copper wire is an aluminum foil that adds strength to the cable and also ensures that you do not experience any form of interference. On top of this, the cable is reinforced using a braided aluminum shield, then covered with a strong PVC casing on the outside. This kind of build makes the cable quite strong and gives it a good deal of durability.

The Cat 8 cable features a more elaborate build, making it much stronger than the Cat 5 ethernet cable.

 Speed and Performance

As earlier mentioned, the Cat 5 cable has been around a considerable length of time, and newer technology has revolutionized the speed and mode of internet delivery. For this reason, this cable is considered old and obsolete, especially due to its poor build and even poorer transmission speeds. When installed in a home setting, it is able to deliver a maximum throughput of 10/ 100Mbps which is considerably slow. This indicates that it cannot be able to support Gigabit connectivity and high intensity activity such as 4K video streaming and high speed gaming on consoles. When it comes to frequency, it is only able to support a 100MHz frequency which is also quite low.

In comparison, the Cat 8 ethernet cable comes with transmission speeds that can only be described as lightning fast. This cable is one of the newest and fastest in the market, and there is almost no competition against it. When it comes to throughput, the Cat 8 ethernet cable bears the capacity to support a maximum transmission speed of up to 40Gbps. However, this speed is only effective over a distance of 30meters. In matters frequency, this cable brings on board a 2000MHz (2GHz) frequency support, allowing for seamless 4K video streaming and high speed gaming without distortion.

The Cat 8 ethernet cable boasts extremely high transmission speeds and a higher frequency, making it a much better cable than the Cat 5 ethernet cable.

Cat 5 vs. Cat 8 – A comparison overview

Cat 5 Ethernet Cable

This is one of the oldest cables around, and it is no wonder it only bears the capacity to transmit at low speeds.

Having been manufactured decades ago, this cable only has a delicate build that does not last too long, especially when exposed to harsh weather conditions and extreme temperatures. Most cables come shielded, but all Cat 5 cables come unshielded. On the flip side, this cable bears a good deal of flexibility, making it easy to install in tight corners and sharp bends. However, it also cannot handle heavy crisscrossing.

When it comes to performance, the Cat 5 delivers a maximum throughput of 10/ 100Mbps which, in this day and age, is quite slow. Additionally, it comes with a 100MHz frequency, and this is largely the reason why it cannot sustain high speed transmissions.

Pros

• It is quite flexile
• It is quite cheap

Cons

• Breaks easily
• Cannot support high transmission speeds

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Cat 8 Ethernet Cable

This cable is one of the fastest currently, and it is best suited for commercial settings due to its high transmission speeds. One of its most impressive characteristics is its sturdy build that give it good durability and longevity. It is a Shielded Twisted Pair cable that has two aluminum casings inside for strength. As an added advantage, these aluminum casings and aluminum braided shield eliminate all forms of crosstalk that could arise from wire movement. Additionally, the outer jacket is made using heavy duty PVC that gives it strength against harsh weather conditions and heavy crisscrossing.

When it comes to speed, this cable transmits data at a rate of 40Gbps which is impressively fast. With such speeds, activity such as high speed gaming and 4k video streaming will be incredibly easy and you will enjoy smooth running all through. However, this cable can only operate in this manner within a 30 meter distance, and any distance beyond this could result in distortion. To support such speeds, this cable comes with a 2000MHz frequency.

Pros

• Supports extremely fast transmissions
• Comes with a high frequency
• Has a strong build
• Bears a good deal of longevity

Cons

• Cannot transmit over a long distance
• It is quite expensive

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Verdict: So, which one is better; Cat 5 or Cat 8?

The Cat 8 ethernet cable is clearly the better cable since it comes with better transmission speeds, a better build and even higher frequency than the Cat 5 cable. It also boasts better longevity. S

FAQs

1. Can the Cat 5 be connected via the Rj11?

No, it cannot.

2. Is the Cat 8 waterproof?

Yes, the cat 8 ethernet cable is waterproof.