Finding the best ethernet cable for gaming is a top priority for many internet users around the world. At The Wifi Specialist, we are asked about the best gaming ethernet cables all the time. To get the very best gaming experience, with no lag or buffering, you need to have the best ethernet cable.
To make sure you aren’t missing out on any of the fun, the network installation experts at The Wifi Specialist have compiled a list of everything you need to consider when finding the best ethernet cable for gaming. If you have any more questions about ethernet cable installation, contact our team today!
Choosing the correct category of cable
To get the highest levels of performance from your internet, you need to find the best category of network cable for you. Category 8 cables are the most modern and efficient cables on the market. But if you don’t require super-fast speeds for your gaming needs, you should also consider other categories of cable.
If you’re struggling to work out the best ethernet cable for gaming in your household, you should talk to an expert team like The Wifi Specialist. Our specialist internet engineers can help you find and install the perfect ethernet cable. To help you a little more, we’ve broken down all the categories of ethernet cable.
Ethernet cable bandwidth and speed comparison
Depending on the category of ethernet cable you are using, you will experience different internet speeds. Basic Cat 5 cables offer a maximum speed of 100 Mbps and a 100 MHz bandwidth. Upgrading to Cat 5e will give you the same 100 MHz bandwidth, but will upgrade your speed to a maximum of 1 Gbps.
If you use a Cat 6 cable, you will also receive an internet speed of 1 Gbps. However, Cat 6 cables improve on their Cat 5 equivalent by offering a bandwidth of more than 250 MHz. Cat 6a cables offer an even higher level of performance. With a 10 Gbps internet speed and a bandwidth of 500 MHz, Cat 6a cables are an excellent choice for gaming.
If you’re looking for the very best internet speeds, or if your home has multiple gamers online at once, a Cat 7 or Cat 8 cable will be best for you. Both of these cable categories offer a high speed and a bandwidth that withstands even the highest demand, with no lag or buffering.
Cat 7 and Cat 8 cables for gaming
Cat 7 ethernet cables provide a speed of up to 10 Gbps and a bandwidth of 600 MHz. However, for the very fastest speeds, a Cat 8 cable can reach up to 40 Gbps. This combines with a staggering bandwidth of up to 2000 MHz to give you the ultimate gaming internet connection.
If you require category 8 network cable installation for your gaming needs, you should be aware that there are two types of Cat 8 cable. These are Cat 8.1 cables and Cat.2 cables. Cat 8.1 ethernet cables are only capable of providing speeds of up to 20 Gbps. To get the full 40 Gbps, you need to install Cat 8.2 cables.
Other considerations when buying ethernet cable for gaming
With so many ethernet cables available, it can be hard to find the one for you. If you want to enjoy the very best high-definition gaming, you need the right cable. Finding the best ethernet cable for gaming becomes even more important if you have several people in your household who connect to the internet at the same time.
To get the very best from your internet connection, you need to understand the specifications of your network. While speed and bandwidth are usually priority number one, there is far more to consider. If you are unsure about your ethernet cable requirements, the expert team at The Wifi Specialist are here to help you.
Our home internet installation experts will help you with selecting the correct length and colour of the cable. We will also ensure that your ethernet ports are compatible with your category of cable. Find out why these elements are so important below:
Cable length
Finding the correct length of cable is essential to achieving the very best gaming setup. If your cable is too short to reach from your router to your games console or PC, you won’t be able to plug in it. This can lead to you having to rearrange your entire gaming setup in order to connect your devices.
There are equally irritating issues that come from purchasing a cable that is too long. It might seem like a sensible idea to purchase the longest ethernet cable possible, but it can cause problems. With a long cable you will have maximum flexibility, but you may have to deal with messy, tangled wires. Having to step over wires is a dangerous eyesore that you will want to avoid.
Cable colour
Many people overlook the importance of selecting the optimal colour when they purchase a new ethernet cable. It makes sense to prioritise performance, but appearance is also important. A brightly coloured cable may not look good draped through your home. A professional team like The Wifi Specialist can offer many solutions to keep your cabling tidy.
Selecting the perfect colour also offers improved cable management. If you have multiple wires leading to your primary router, it can be useful to have different colours helping you to tell each cable apart. This makes it far easier to test specific connections. It also allows you to quickly identify and follow your cables.
Cable compatibility
If you want to achieve the maximum speeds from your ethernet cable, you need to ensure that your primary router is compatible with your cable category. You might be using a category 8 ethernet cable that can offer a 40 Gbps internet speed. But if your router can only output speeds of up to 20 Gbps, the high-speed capabilities of your cable will be wasted.
You will also encounter the same issues if your ethernet cable is not capable of handling the speeds provided by your internet router. As ethernet cables all have the same connection, it can be easy to make a compatibility mistake. To make sure that you are getting what you pay for from your ethernet cable, talk to an expert team like The Wifi Specialist.
Ready to take your gaming to the next level with Cat 8 ethernet cable installation?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best ethernet cable for gaming?
Category 8.2 cables are the best ethernet cables for gaming. This is because it offers the very highest speeds and bandwidth. A Cat 8.2 ethernet cable provides an internet speed of up to 40 Gbps and a bandwidth of up to 2000 MHz. These high speeds are ideal for enjoying online gaming with no lag or buffering.
Cat 8.1 cables are also powerful enough to support high-definition gaming, matching the 2000 MHz, while offering a 20 Gbps speed. To find the best ethernet cable for your gaming needs, talk to a professional team like The Wifi Specialist.
Are gaming ethernet cables different from regular ethernet cables?
Yes, gaming ethernet cables are different from regular ethernet cables. This is because they need to provide super-fast speeds and incredibly high bandwidth. The best type of ethernet cable for gaming is a Cat 8 cable.
A Cat 8 cable offers a speed of up to 40 Gbps and a bandwidth of up to 2000 MHz. This is perfect for gaming, but unnecessary if you only use your internet-enabled devices for browsing. If you are unsure about what category of ethernet cable is best for your home or business, contact The Wifi Specialist today.
Is Cat 8 ethernet cable good for gaming?
Yes, Cat 8 cable is the best ethernet cable for gaming. With a speed of up to 40 Gbps and a bandwidth of up to 2000 MHz, you will be able to enjoy high-definition online gaming with no lag or buffering. Even if other people are using the internet in the house, a Cat 8 cable will provide you with perfect gameplay.
You should be aware that there are two types of Cat 8 cable, Cat 8.1 and Cat 8.2. Cat 8.1 cables are slightly slower than Cat 8.2, with a maximum speed of 20 Gbps. Talk to The Wifi Specialist to find the best cable for your gaming needs.
Contact The Wifi Specialist today for a quote or to arrange a no obligation survey
Our Happy Clients
I was struggling to get a decent wifi signal down to the garden office until the Wifi Specialists recommended a Point to Point kit. Now the internet is faster in the office than it is in the house. The guys did a great job installing too, keeping all the cabling very neat and hidden wherever possible. Even sorted out the TV aerial cable while they were doing the P2P cabling! Great service, strongly recommend.
Richard G
Couldn't recommend Indy more highly. They helped us implement an effective corporate wifi solution at very short notice. Communication throughout was excellent and we look forward to working with them again.
Francesca M
Indy and Rakki are first class guys, they did a professional job in record time and I ended up with a better router indoors as well as the Access point outdoors which now covers the whole garden. Definitely recommend the Wifi specialists.
John M
I'm absolute delighted with the service provided by The WiFi Specialist in running an ethernet cable out to my garden office. Indy was extremely helpful in discussion the options available to me, and recommending the right approach, and the work was carried out efficiently and with minimum disruption. I'm thrilled to now have a secure connection, and would definitely recommend The WiFi Specialist to anyone looking to improve connectivity.
Simon M
Excellent, knowledgeable, seamless experience with Indy and team. Not to mention my now perfect wifi!
Sarah K
I had been struggling with my wifi signal around my house for a number of years and the situation only got worse as we moved to remote working. After many attempts to get the issue addressed through the local ISP, I (my wife and kids) decided that I needed a specialist to come in. Indy made the whole process very simple from the initial site visit, design guidance and installation. I had my house refurbished a few years ago so adding new cabling around the house needed knowledge and experience. Indy and Rak did a great job at concealing the cat6 cables and provided a professional finish. I now have full wifi signal all around the house, garden and garage. I would highly recommend The Wi-Fi Specialist. Thank you.
Amarjit K
The IT service from this company was exemplary and resulted in a very good WiFi signal throughout the house. Indy was generous with his time and explained the technology well, without trying to sell equipment that would have been unnecessary for a domestic installation. He is friendly, knowledgeable and very professional. It was a great pleasure to work with him.
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