F5F Stay Refreshed Power Users Networks Can you plug in several PCs into one Ethernet cable?

Can you plug in several PCs into one Ethernet cable?

Can you plug in several PCs into one Ethernet cable?

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Syrows
Member
60
08-17-2026, 12:15 AM
#1
Hey, here is what I have: two computers sitting really far apart. There is a long wire connecting the router to the room where they are placed. Can I run that same long wire to give both of my computers full-speed internet access without getting another one?
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Syrows
08-17-2026, 12:15 AM #1

Hey, here is what I have: two computers sitting really far apart. There is a long wire connecting the router to the room where they are placed. Can I run that same long wire to give both of my computers full-speed internet access without getting another one?

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Curelines
Junior Member
48
08-17-2026, 01:07 AM
#2
switch
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Curelines
08-17-2026, 01:07 AM #2

switch

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iStrafeRunner
Member
169
08-17-2026, 01:05 PM
#3
Does any switch work?
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iStrafeRunner
08-17-2026, 01:05 PM #3

Does any switch work?

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UnicornAnthony
Junior Member
40
08-17-2026, 02:36 PM
#4
Mostly yes, if you look really closely there is some junk. Here is a link where you can buy them: Amazon.com They sell both switches that go fast. For two or three dollars less you can get name brand ones and speedy 10/100 ports. If you are super cheap you can find one with just five ports for ten bucks. I'd pay the extra five dollars to have a well-known brand with gigabit ports. It really only matters if your internet goes over 100mbps, but for that small price difference it's worth getting better stuff. Switches don't get old and these boxes are easy so you could probably use them ten years from now.
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UnicornAnthony
08-17-2026, 02:36 PM #4

Mostly yes, if you look really closely there is some junk. Here is a link where you can buy them: Amazon.com They sell both switches that go fast. For two or three dollars less you can get name brand ones and speedy 10/100 ports. If you are super cheap you can find one with just five ports for ten bucks. I'd pay the extra five dollars to have a well-known brand with gigabit ports. It really only matters if your internet goes over 100mbps, but for that small price difference it's worth getting better stuff. Switches don't get old and these boxes are easy so you could probably use them ten years from now.

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_ReflexLegend_
Member
112
08-26-2026, 04:16 AM
#5
Is this slowing down my internet? I just ran a speed test and got 361.3 Mbps for downloads. My goal is that both computers are using the whole network at full capacity so one can play games while the other streams video.
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_ReflexLegend_
08-26-2026, 04:16 AM #5

Is this slowing down my internet? I just ran a speed test and got 361.3 Mbps for downloads. My goal is that both computers are using the whole network at full capacity so one can play games while the other streams video.

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DazDaZz_
Junior Member
41
08-27-2026, 04:44 PM
#6
Each gadget on a gigabit switch can pull in 350Mbit of data. But if two gadgets are up at the same time, they only get 350Mbit total instead of adding up.
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DazDaZz_
08-27-2026, 04:44 PM #6

Each gadget on a gigabit switch can pull in 350Mbit of data. But if two gadgets are up at the same time, they only get 350Mbit total instead of adding up.

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Xindis_
Member
249
08-31-2026, 10:42 AM
#7
If you're using Cat 5 cables that are long, make sure to plug in a PoE switch instead of just relying on the Ethernet ports.
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Xindis_
08-31-2026, 10:42 AM #7

If you're using Cat 5 cables that are long, make sure to plug in a PoE switch instead of just relying on the Ethernet ports.

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LuigiXGames
Senior Member
426
09-05-2026, 09:37 AM
#8
PoE isn't necessary.
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LuigiXGames
09-05-2026, 09:37 AM #8

PoE isn't necessary.

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loxgirlfriend
Member
209
09-07-2026, 03:25 AM
#9
Here is the cable I am using: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WD017GQ?ref...ZWEK3&th=1 Sorry, I didn't post before because I just got home. My internet company says my speed is 600Mbps.
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loxgirlfriend
09-07-2026, 03:25 AM #9

Here is the cable I am using: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WD017GQ?ref...ZWEK3&th=1 Sorry, I didn't post before because I just got home. My internet company says my speed is 600Mbps.

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Lightingmin
Junior Member
41
09-07-2026, 09:09 PM
#10
Ethernet cables don't need Power over Ethernet by themselves. A decent quality wire, like Cat 5 or 6 (copper), usually works fine if it's at least 328 feet long for most things. Just check: how far does your ethernet cable go and what is POE? You can easily find other similar links to read here.
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Lightingmin
09-07-2026, 09:09 PM #10

Ethernet cables don't need Power over Ethernet by themselves. A decent quality wire, like Cat 5 or 6 (copper), usually works fine if it's at least 328 feet long for most things. Just check: how far does your ethernet cable go and what is POE? You can easily find other similar links to read here.