Networking Cables: Choosing between Cat 5 and Cat 5e

Bandwidth: Cat 5e cables have higher bandwidth capabilities than Cat 5 cables. Cat 5 cables can support bandwidths of up to 100 MHz, while Cat 5e cables can support bandwidths of up to 350 MHz. This means that Cat 5e cables can transmit data at higher speeds and over longer distances than Cat 5 cables.

Interference: Cat 5e cables have better resistance to interference than Cat 5 cables. This is due to improved twists in the wire pairs and better insulation in Cat 5e cables. This means that Cat 5e cables are less likely to experience data transmission errors or interference from external sources.

Cost: Cat 5 cables are typically less expensive than Cat 5e cables. However, the cost difference may not be significant enough to warrant choosing Cat 5 over Cat 5e, especially if you need to transmit data at higher speeds or over longer distances.