When to Choose Cat8 Over Cat7 for Your High-Speed Networking Needs
The Monoprice Cat8 cable represents a specific tier of Ethernet performance that exceeds standard Cat7 specifications, offering 2GHz bandwidth and 40Gbps throughput. Buyers should understand that this 24AWG, 5-foot cable is engineered for short-run, high-density applications where maximum future-proofing matters more than cost efficiency.
Key Considerations Before Buying
- This cable's 40Gbps rating is theoretical maximum under ideal conditions; real-world speeds depend heavily on your router, network card, and switch capabilities.
- The 24AWG thickness provides superior shielding and durability but makes the cable less flexible than thinner-gauge alternatives for tight spaces.
- At just 5 feet, this cable is specifically designed for connecting adjacent equipment like a gaming PC to a router or a NAS to a switch, not for whole-room runs.
What Our Analysts Recommend
For Cat8 cables, verify the 2GHz frequency rating and look for robust, foil-and-braid shielding (S/FTP construction) to prevent crosstalk at high speeds. The connector quality is critical—gold-plated, snag-free RJ45 ends should fit securely without wobble, as poor terminations will bottleneck performance regardless of cable specs.
Cat 7 Cables Market Context
Market Overview
The Cat7/Cat8 cable market is increasingly segmented between budget cables with questionable certification and premium offerings like Monoprice's Entegrade Series that meet stringent ANSI/TIA standards. Consumers face confusion as many 'Cat8' cables lack proper shielding for their rated speeds.
Common Issues
The most frequent complaints involve compatibility issues with older equipment, overly stiff cables that strain ports, and exaggerated speed claims from manufacturers using inferior copper-clad aluminum conductors instead of pure copper.
Quality Indicators
Genuine high-performance cables feature printed length and category markings along the jacket, pure bare copper conductors (not CCA), and separate foil shielding for each pair plus an overall braid. The Monoprice cable's 24AWG specification indicates substantial, quality copper content.
Review Authenticity Insights
Grade B Interpretation
A Grade B authenticity rating with only 10% estimated fake reviews suggests this product's 4.78 Amazon rating is reasonably reliable, though slightly inflated. The adjusted 4.50 rating after removing suspicious reviews still indicates strong genuine satisfaction.
Trust Recommendation
Focus on the verified purchase reviews mentioning specific use cases like 10GbE NAS setups or reducing latency in competitive gaming, as these provide concrete performance evidence. Be slightly skeptical of reviews claiming full 40Gbps speeds without detailing supporting hardware.
Tips for Reading Reviews
Prioritize reviews that discuss installation experiences with the stiff 24AWG construction or compatibility with specific network hardware, as these reflect real technical engagement. Reviews mentioning long-term reliability over months of use carry more weight than initial impressions.
Expert Perspective
This Monoprice Entegrade cable represents a premium, over-engineered solution for most home and small office users. Its true value lies in exceptional interference rejection and future-proofing rather than immediate speed gains, as few consumers currently have equipment capable of leveraging its full 40Gbps potential. The high 4.50 adjusted rating from verified purchasers suggests it delivers on build quality and reliability promises, though the 5-foot length limits its application scope. For connecting high-performance devices in electrically noisy environments, this cable provides headroom that cheaper Cat6a alternatives cannot match.
Purchase Considerations
Consider this cable if you're building a 10GbE network today and want infrastructure that won't need upgrading for 25GbE or 40GbE future deployments. However, if your equipment tops out at 1GbE or you need longer runs, more affordable Cat6 or Cat6a cables would provide identical performance at lower cost.
Comparing Alternatives
Shoppers should compare this against Monoprice's own Cat6a offerings and other certified Cat8 cables from brands like Cable Matters, paying particular attention to shielding construction and conductor material claims.
