It is a well-established fact that compared to a Wifi network, LAN or Ethernet cable provides faster and reliable network connection. What is a LAN cable? It refers to the wires intended to carry data in computer networking.
A good Ethernet cable for gaming allows you to enjoy an ultimate gaming experience consistently with zero lag or any interference in the connection.
Choosing a reliable and high-quality cable for Ethernet connections can be baffling as all cables may look the same, but they perform differently. Network cables also differ in size, price, speed, and security.
If Ethernet cables for a Playstation or Xbox is what you’re looking for, then you should think twice before buying any odd cable. Now let’s go through a few tips and suggestions we cooked up to find you the best LAN cable(s) for your ideal gaming experience.
Length of Your LAN Cable
It’s probably not that apparent at first, but the cable length plays a vital part in providing a stable connection to the internet. The shorter the cable length, the better. A Longer cable means the signal has to travel farther, and do more work to provide a good connection. That means slower data processing and transfer speeds, in short, shorter is better, that is unless you enjoy having a laggy connection.
Another big issue with long cables is what to do with all the extra length, hide it under your bed? Sneak it under the rug? A longer cable means more clutter in your room and a less tidy living space. Long cables also increase chances of kids or pets getting into trouble, biting or destroying the cables. A short cable means its right where it needs to be, next your gaming console or PC and no where else.
The Newer the Better
Old Ethernet cables are still bumping around online and in stores. If you think the older cables work fine, think again. Why? Because using old Ethernet cables, that aren’t mean for higher speed internet services, will be the surest way to lagtown and slow internet speeds. It’d be like driving a monster truck through a straw. Some cables aren’t even compatible with today’s modern tech, making it less likely you’ll achieve the speeds you most desire.
Choosing the right Category Cable
Category cables (Cat for short) are perfect for gaming connectivity. If your gaming experience depends on frequent downloads of games to install, or update, you want to invest in this type of cable for a smoother connection. As we mentioned before, keep an eye out for the newer cables, as you’ll see a lot of Category cables on the market, but only the newer models can handle the breath of modern day broadband speeds.
The standard categories of Ethernet cables vary. Every category has its own cable capacities and abilities. Cat5 and cat5e cables are great for regular computer usage and home applications, nothing fancy, they’re pretty cheap and perform well for a 100 Mbps connection.
Cat6 and cat6a cables on the other hand are recommended for business and professional applications because they can transmit network speeds of up to 10 Gbps, and of course, lastly the most ideal for gaming — cat7 and cat7a cables. These cables offer the highest connection speed possible, making them them the absolute best for your gaming needs.
To fully experience the Cat7 cable capability, you may have to update your network equipment (network switches, wired routers, wireless routers, etc.), and maybe your internet service package, to fully accommodate the features and benefits of these cables. With some minor tweaking, you’ll be able to optimize your connection in no time. Not only that, modern Ethernet cables can support smart homes and save future costs on rewiring.
Equipment Compatibility
One of the things that most gamers take into consideration is that a lot of internet cables are made by the original provider of the equipment (modem, router, etc.). Often times, they are labeled with OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) brand, many gamers may be inclined to purchase the same cables, as they are tested and proven to support the gaming platform. If you really want to know the compatibility of a cable, don’t be afraid to call up Sony, Nintendo or Xbox support.
Proper Wireless Access Point Selection
Apart from Ethernet cables, selecting proper access points rises to the same level of importance. Make sure to do careful and complete research prior to buying your preferred wireless access point so that it fits the standards of your gaming platform. Another thing is the capacity; an essential aspect you must take into account when trying to choose a good access point.
Conclusion
Various Ethernet cables or leased lines are available on the interwebs and in stores. Hence, it is important to be well informed on which cables are going to help you achieve the ultimate gaming experience. Understanding the aspects we talked about above should help with your LAN cable selection and purchase process (or at least point you in the right direction). In the end, as gamers, we just want our gaming experiences to be the best they can be. Choosing the best LAN cable is the first step to making that dream a reality. Happy gaming folks!
Cool LAN related sites to check out:
- https://techau.com.au/%EF%BB%BFhow-to-choose-the-best-ethernet-cable-for-gaming/
- https://www.cablewholesale.com/blog/index.php/2018/07/16/how-to-select-the-best-ethernet-cable-for-gaming/
- https://www.sfcable.com/blog/how-choose-best-ethernet-cable-gaming
So what do you prefer to game with? Ethernet connection or wireless gaming? Do you find there’s a huge difference in gaming with either? Let us know in the comment section below.
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Great tutorial. Much Needed.
Great information about how to choose LAN cable when you select for particularly gaming.