I just came across this thread. Hey, I am a network guy. Get paid for it and everything. ;)
Yes, network cables can be quite different. The constructions specifications deal with the electrical frequences and bandwidth available across the cable, as well as the resistive losses (which effect how far you can run a given cable before non-correctable signal degredation occurs).
General rules of thumb/basic specs for the UTP cables you'll care about or come in contact with for home networking:
Category 5 - useful for 100MB networks; 1GB possible, but only on short runs. You don't want this any more. If you have it in your existing network, you should replace it, unless you plan to stay at 100MB forever.
Category 5e - useful for 1GB networks (and slower). The minimum you want these days, but falling out of favor in lieu of minimal price differential with 6/6a cables.
Category 6 - useful for 1GB networks (and slower). Spec'd for 1GB up to 100m. Can be used for 10GB for shorter runs.
Category 6a - useful for 10GB networks (and slower). 10GB up to 100m. This is what you want. ;)
They have already spec'd a Category 7 for 100GB networks, but it won't be around for a while.
As mentioned previously, a "faster" (higher-capacity) network cable will not necessarily improved your network speed by itself. However, if you are running a lower-capacity cable on a high-capacity network, moving up a better cable will certainly make it "look like" it made your network faster (although all you are doing is removing something that was slowing you down in the first place).
You can always use "faster" cables on slower networks; I recommend:
- Getting the best/fastest cable you can afford -- "future-proof" your network -- if you upgrade hardware later, you'll already have the cabling to support it.
- Maintain shortest/reasonable lengths as possible -- get a crimping tool and learn how to stamp your own ends, and cut all cables to length.
- Buy in bulk and make your own cables. Retail-store made-to-length cable is over-priced and usually a waste of money.
- "Big name brand" cable (Monster, etc) is a waste of money.
- Don't skimp on connectors -- if you installing in-wall cabling, etc, get the very best connectors you can afford.
- Invest in the cable tester if you want to take your networking seriously -- run cable tests and bandwidth analysis every few months and replace connectors or cables that are damaged.
Really-specially to the OP's question --
I recommend upgrading your hardware to 1GB, and replacing your cables with at least Cat 6.
If you want to stay with 100MB, 5, 5e, 6 or 6a will all work, but if you are buying new cable, I would buy no less than 5e (6 or 6a if possible). With the cost of GB network hardware, though, I'd really recommend moving to GB.
Network cable must be stamped with spec identification; it can usually be found every foot (useful for measuring) along the outer shield of the cable. If your cable is not stamped, you can test it with a network test meter to verify, but I'd personally just throw it out and buy something you know is spec'd correctly.
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