Is It Worth Upgrading Your CAT5E Cables to CAT7: An SEO Guide

Introduction

Are you considering upgrading your old CAT5E cables to the more advanced CAT7 cables? This guide will help you understand the pros and cons of this upgrade, the current limitations of CAT5E, and the future developments in Ethernet technology.

Current Limitations of CAT5E

CAT5E cables are a tried and tested option that support up to 2.5 Gbps for cables up to 100 meters and 5 Gbps for cables up to 55 meters. Given these performance limits, there is little rush to upgrade to CAT7 unless you are planning for extremely high-speed applications.

A recent user upgrade experience shows that with KPN Fiber internet, even with CAT5E cables, they achieve an impressive 1MS Ping and 921mb/s download and 928mb/s upload speeds. This indicates that CAT5E is more than sufficient for most network requirements today.

Performance and Compatibility of CAT7

CAT7 cables offer an upgrade with a bandwidth of 600 MHz, which is higher than the 500 MHz of CAT6a cables. However, the benefits of this increase in bandwidth are often negligible for current network applications. Both CAT6a and CAT7 can carry 10 Gbps over the same distance and both produce similar performance levels on tests conducted in the field.

Additionally, CAT7 is not a standardized option at the same level as CAT5E or CAT6a. Most installations that use CAT7 switch to CAT6a patch panels and accessories, making the overall installation CAT6a compliant. This means that while you might have the cables of CAT7, the performance and standardization are often equivalent to CAT6a.

Cost Considerations

CAT7 cables are generally more expensive than CAT6a cables. CAT6a cables cost approximately $250 per 1000 feet, while CAT7 riser cables cost around $400 per 1000 feet. Current testing and usage often do not reveal any significant differences between CAT6a and CAT7 when tested with a Fluke tester.

Future Developments: CAT8.1

For those interested in future-proofing their network, the next upgrade will likely be to CAT8.1. Designed for 25 and 40 Gbps, CAT8.1 patch panels are available but are currently at a price point that may not make them a practical choice for the average consumer.

Conclusion

While it might be worth the extra cost to go higher in capacity when you are setting up a new network, for most current applications, there is no compelling reason to upgrade your CAT5E cables to CAT7. Most users would achieve better value by focusing on upgrading other parts of their network, such as their internet service, routers, or switching infrastructure, which will have a more significant impact on overall network performance and efficiency.