Choosing the right ethernet cable
Do you actually need Cat6?
For gaming specifically, the honest answer is: any modern ethernet cable (Cat5e or above) is more than capable. Latency and jitter aren't meaningfully affected by cable category — that's mostly about maximum bandwidth, and even Cat5e comfortably handles far more than your internet connection provides. Where cable quality actually matters for gaming is more basic: a damaged, kinked, or very cheap cable can cause intermittent connection drops, which absolutely will hurt your session.
That said, if you're buying new cable anyway, Cat6 is the sensible modern default — it's not meaningfully more expensive, has better shielding against interference, and future-proofs you for anything else you might connect over that cable later.
Quick comparison
| Cat5e | Cat6 | Cat6a | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max speed (typical home run) | 1 Gbps | 1–10 Gbps | 10 Gbps |
| Cost | Cheapest | Slightly more | Noticeably more |
| Good enough for gaming? | Yes | Yes | Yes (overkill for most) |
| Worth it if buying new | Only if budget is very tight | Recommended default | Only if you specifically want 10Gbps networking |
What actually matters more than the category label
- Solid vs stranded core: solid-core cable (rigid, single wire per conductor) is better for permanent in-wall runs; stranded (flexible, multiple thin wires per conductor) is better for patch cables you'll move or flex often (e.g. router to PC on your desk). Don't use solid-core for a cable that gets regularly unplugged and moved — it's more prone to breaking at the connector over time.
- Shielded (STP) vs unshielded (UTP): unshielded is fine for the vast majority of home setups. Only worth paying for shielded if your cable run has to pass very close to a major interference source (power cables, large appliances).
- Buying pre-made vs bulk: pre-made cables are quality-tested at the factory and are the safer choice unless you specifically need a custom length or have to feed the cable through a small drilled hole (see the wired-vs-wireless guide for how to make your own).
Further resources
- Cat5e vs Cat6 comparison guide — deeper technical comparison if you want the full spec differences