5e/6 is minor difference in spec. but cost wise 5e is wayyyy cheaper.

 

i would say at this point, cat6 is a luxury. i mean, if i had the money, i'd run cat 6, but the cost doesn't justify what you get because currently you're not going to notice a difference between the two.

 

I just built a new house - and probably should have went with cat 6, but they just ran 5e, cheaper and more convenient.

 

I think your networking questions were answered above already in regards to router + switch. You're not running a datacenter out of your house so a basic four port router + x port switch is fine. Also, I am with Rick on the 5e vs 6. The performance increase is marginal, if that, and the cost just does not equate. Personally I am a wired network kind of guy myself and only use wireless for the woman's laptop. Why? Well, wireless sucks for media streaming and gaming even if your wireless router is sitting within pissing distance of your console or PC. Blame it on the abundance of wireless devices on the 2.4 spectrum and also the ease of home networking. Everyone and their moms have a wireless N router these days. I mean, if you're in a single detach home then maybe you can get away with it streaming wise, but for gaming wired is always king, at least in my opinion. Why N fucked it up for you? Well, there are 12 channels total, and N shotguns 4 of those channels. So if you have 4 neighbors with N routers.....guess what? By all means I am not a hater of N routers. I am just saying if you want optimum connection for your network then stick with wired Ethernet whenever possible.

 

Router in the main room. Switch from 1 port that goes to all the rooms. Each room have a 3 or 4 port switch, so if you need to have more than 1 thing plugged in you can
5e if you're cheap. 6 if you want to spend a little extra and get better speeds. You'll be happy you did it. Buy a spool of 6 and cut it to size. A lot more cost effective

 

Between cat5e and cat6, the price difference doesnt seem to be that much. Even if the increases are nothing much now, is there the possibility that it might be greater down the road?

I mean laying down ethernet cable should almost be permanent

 

if the prices are the same, or even pretty close, go with 6 and futureproof yourself.

 

This thread has me wanting to upgrade yet again, even though I realllly don't need to

 

5e is 33% more for less than 5% potential gain. if you aren't using a full gigabit switch you wont see any gains over 5e.

 

^werd..