With the rapid development of Internet technology, the speed of network connection and the demand for data transmission are increasing, the traditional Ethernet cable has been difficult to meet the requirements of high-speed Internet. CAT7 and CAT8, as the latest generation of Ethernet cables, are gradually becoming the mainstream choice for high-performance network cabling due to their excellent performance and higher transmission rates.
This post will explore the key differences between CAT7 and CAT8, their respective advantages, and their applicability in different application scenarios, in order to help users better understand the characteristics of these two types of cables and the factors to consider when choosing them.
CAT7 vs CAT8
CAT7 Cable
CAT7 network cables support transmission rates of up to 10 Gbps, with a bandwidth of up to 600 MHz and a maximum transmission distance of 100 meters, suitable for 10 Gigabit Ethernet. It uses shielded twisted pair cable design, which can effectively reduce electromagnetic interference and external crosstalk, and is suitable for use in data centers and high-density network environments.
CAT8 Cable
CAT8 lan cable is currently the latest generation Ethernet cable and the fastest Ethernet cable on the market, supporting transmission rates of up to 40 Gbps and a bandwidth of up to 2000 MHz, but with a maximum transmission distance of only 30 meters. CAT8 network cable also adopts a shielding design to reduce signal attenuation, providing excellent performance in 30 meter applications to ensure fast data transmission, making it very suitable for use in data centers and high-performance computing environments.
Difference between CAT7 and CAT8 Ethernet Cable
The performance of CAT8 Ethernet cable is significantly better than CAT7 Ethernet cable, with its 40 Gbps transmission rate and 2000 MHz bandwidth significantly improving, making it more advantageous in high demand applications. Besides, CAT7 and Cat8 lan cables have different transmission distance limitations. CAT7 lan cables can maintain a data rate of 10 Gbps over a transmission distance of 100 meters, while CAT8 network cable is limited to a length of 30 meters to achieve optimal network performance with a transmission speed of 40 Gbps. In terms of price, due to the higher technical requirements of CAT8 cable, its cost is also higher than CAT7 ethernet cable.
| Attribute | CAT7 Cable | CAT8 Cable |
| Transmission Frequency | 600MHz | 2000MHz |
| Transmission Speed | 10Gbps | 40Gbps |
| Max. Transmission Distance | 100m (328ft) | 30m (98ft) |
| Common Structure | S/FTP | S/FTP |
What is Better CAT7 or CAT8 Network Cable?
When choosing which network cable to use, cat7 or cat8, users usually choose the latest cable because of its better performance, but this is not the case. When selecting cables, users should evaluate them based on their actual needs. Here are some considerations for reference:
Network Need
If it is a home or small office, CAT7 lan cable is sufficient for daily use. If the speed and bandwidth requirements are relatively low, CAT6 or CAT6A cables can also meet daily network needs. But if large enterprises or data centers require higher performance, CAT8 ethernet cable is undoubtedly a better choice as it can meet the needs of transmitting large amounts of data.
Installation Environment
It is also necessary to consider the actual wiring environment and distance limitations when choosing Ethernet cables. For network or Ethernet connection applications not exceeding 30 meters, the performance of Cat8 lan cable is always better. But Cat7 cable can be used over longer distances.
Future Scalability
Consider possible future network upgrade needs. If network expansion is planned in the future, investing in CAT8 network cables may have more long-term value.
Budget
Users may consider budget and cost-effectiveness when purchasing network cables. Cat8 Ethernet cables are usually more expensive than CAT7 lan cables, and installation and maintenance are relatively complex. In the actual process, it is also necessary to weigh performance and cost according to specific needs, and choose the most suitable network cable for one’s own needs.
Contactar con Gcabling
Gcabling provides a comprehensive range of products and a highly experienced technical team. We not only provide high-quality CAT7 and CAT8 Ethernet cables, but also offer you one-stop home and commercial network cabling solutions and products. If you are looking for reliable and high-performance CAT7 and CAT8 lan cables for your home/office network or data centers, you can find what you need at Gcabling.
