PC Hardware → Massive price difference?

I'm looking for a network cable to connect a PC that is roughly 50 feet from my router. I took a look at the cables that were for sale at newegg.com and saw a generic one for $4.99. I then checked my local J & R and saw a brand name Belkin patch for nearly 6 times that price. Has anyone purchased these generic ones before? I mean other than the brand name, are there any differences?

Thanks.

I would say the more expensive cable is probably shielded better resulting in less interference. Here is a link from the For Sale Forum »[FS] Cat5e RJ-45 Cable BLOW OUT! L@@K!
Don't know what quality of cable he was using but his price seems reasonable.

I'm running about 40 feet (down two flights) of Cat5e that I made myself with regular cable from Home Depot with no problems in two years so far. I find Belkin products to be much higher quality than most of the general public needs.

belkin products are charging you outrageous prices for their crappy quality products. Buy the generic and it will do you just as well. Or just go to home depot and buy a roll of cat5 and some plug ends and make your own.

I think that you will be fine as long as you go with CAT 5E.

However, keep in mind that improper installation can adversely effect signal quality. Remember, do not staple it to the wall and no 90 degree bends.

Also keep in mind that most stores make their profits on those accessories. I had a friend who worked at best buy and his employee discount differed based on the product because he ended up paying Best Buy's cost, or close to it. I wanted a cd burner and i ended up getting a 5% discount (which after tax meant i basically saved no money off the sticker price). When I wanted a universal remote, it was priced at $28, and with his discount it was $3. Something to think about when comparing prices among accessories....

said by Margolis:

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belkin products are charging you outrageous prices for their crappy quality products. Buy the generic and it will do you just as well. Or just go to home depot and buy a roll of cat5 and some plug ends and make your own.

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And don't forget the cost of the crimping tool needed to actually join those plug-ends and cables. that alone is enough to keep me from making any yet.

a good pair of pliars does just fine

First, make sure the cables are comparable and equivalent. The usual types are CAT 3, 4, 5, and 6, and some are better than the others. $5 for 50' CAT 5 sounds very good to me. Maybe too good. I just paid $20 for 50' CAT 6 not very long ago, so I don't think $30 for a similar Belkin would be outrageously expensive.

Real geeks crimp their own cable from a bulk spool. Seriously, the best thing to do is go to Home Depot and buy 500 or 1000'... then invest in a crimper and a cheap punch-down tool- it will be fine.

said by Margolis:

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a good pair of pliars does just fine

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You obviously have not ever made a cable. A crimper is the only thing that can get those ends on. And Crimpers are dirt cheap. »www.newegg.com/app/viewp ··· 1c3watch

Go with the generic cable, there is no difference between the cables at all. The belkin might have rubberized ends to look more professional, but the cables themselves are the same, and will give the same results. And its best to make them, you can buy 1000ft of cable with crimper and ends for about $30-40.

I bought 100' coil of it before and after making the 40' cable I needed, I made a bunch of smaller ones that have come in very handy in the last year when I had to hook up my mother's system, add a computer, etc.

said by Octavean:

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I think that you will be fine as long as you go with CAT 5E.

However, keep in mind that improper installation can adversely effect signal quality. Remember, do not staple it to the wall and no 90 degree bends.

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Thanks all. I did purchase the generic cat5e one and its fine. One question though... what are the adverse effects to stapling? Is it that a staple can crush the cable when it pins it to the wall? I'm asking because my old man stapled them to the wall without ever consulting me first.

Thanks.

Aren't father's wonderful?? Stapling can short the cables at the worst and pinch them badly at the least. What should have been done was to get some of those plastic 'covers' that keep the staple from actually touching the cable.

»cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP ··· ry=51187

250 Feet of Cat 5E, a crimper, and 100 plugs for 26.99.

Tom

The problem with stapling and bending the cable a lot is that the wires inside are twisted in pairs. If the pairs become untwisted then you can pick up interference. Stapling is not the best thing to do, but for the most part I'm sure it will be fine. Hook the wires up and if you don't see any problems, like speed issues or packet loss, your good.

said by insomniac84:

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The problem with stapling and bending the cable a lot is that the wires inside are twisted in pairs. If the pairs become untwisted then you can pick up interference. Stapling is not the best thing to do, but for the most part I'm sure it will be fine. Hook the wires up and if you don't see any problems, like speed issues or packet loss, your good.

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I used approx. 80' of cat5e, stapled it with a cable stapler every 8 inches or so and I have no problems with it at all. If you are really concerned with it and what something more astheticly pleasing, you can pick moldings at Home Depot that are designed to "hide" cabling. They come in an off white color usualy but you can paint them any color you want.