Side-by-Side Comparison
Ethernet Cables
Cat 5 vs. Cat 5e
Comparing 2 standards across 11 specifications. 6 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Cat 5
Cat 5e
Category 5 (Cat 5) is a legacy twisted-pair copper cable standard defined in ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A. Rated for frequencies up to 100 MHz, it was the foundational medium for 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps) over distances up to 100 meters, utilizing two of its four twisted pairs.
Category 5e (Cat 5e, Enhanced) is an Ethernet twisted-pair copper cable standard defined in TIA/EIA-568-B.2. Rated for frequencies up to 100 MHz, it introduced stringent electrical crosstalk specifications, enabling reliable 1000BASE-T (1 Gbps Gigabit Ethernet) transmission up to 100 meters across all four pairs.
Specification Comparison Table
11 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Frequency Bandwidth
|
100 MHz | 100 MHz |
|
Max Channel Length
|
100 m | 100 m |
|
Wire Pairs
|
4 pairs | 4 pairs |
|
Standard Connector
|
8P8C (RJ45) | 8P8C (RJ45) |
|
Typical Shielding
|
U/UTP (Unshielded) | U/UTP (Unshielded) or F/UTP |
|
Channel Classification
|
ISO/IEC 11801 Class D | ISO/IEC 11801 Class D |
|
Max Bandwidth / Data Rate
|
100 Mbps | — |
|
Active Pairs (100BASE-TX)
|
2 pairs | — |
|
Max Data Rate (1000BASE-T)
|
— | 1 Gbps |
|
Max Multi-Gig Rate (802.3bz)
|
— | 2.5 Gbps |
|
Active Pairs (1000BASE-T)
|
— | 4 pairs |