Evaluating the value of upgrading your router for CAT7 support depends on your network needs and current setup.
Evaluating the value of upgrading your router for CAT7 support depends on your network needs and current setup.
You already have sufficient performance over your current setup. Upgrading for CAT 7 won’t add much value since you’re already using it with your PC and have more than enough bandwidth. Spending extra on a new router may not be necessary unless you plan to expand further or need future-proofing.
It's actually another solid reason. My mom is using an ISP router in the living room, and if I purchase a new one, I could pass it to her so she gets better Wi-Fi in her area. I just wish I could at least get something useful from this too.
If it's on the same network, I'm hoping you're set up in Access Point mode.
You might want to explore MashAI from Asus. Other brands likely offer similar features such as access points, but here multiple routers connect to enhance performance. A CAT7 cable enables faster connections with routers that utilize it, making even CAT6a sufficient. However, these are just means to achieve higher speeds. The actual source of those speeds comes from your ISP or ISR device. To boost speeds further, you'd need to contact your ISP and request higher rates, which may involve additional costs or a change in your current plan. Typically, homes receive around 1Gb as standard or maximum; exceeding that usually requires significant investment. Generally, I believe at most households achieve up to 1Gb unless they have routers and cables capable of supporting 700Mb/s. If you're paying a fixed price for a 700Mb/s connection, no router or cable will improve it. In homes with such speeds, you might reach 1Gb, but if your plan only supports 700Mb/s, upgrading either the cable or router would be necessary. Better routers can also enhance WiFi performance.
Cat 7 holds only ISO certification, not TIA certification, which is what really counts for Ethernet. More importantly, Cat 5e supports up to 2.5 Gbps, Cat 6 reaches about 5 Gbps, and Cat 6a goes even higher at 10 Gbps. There’s a Cat8 cable rated for 40 Gbps, but it’s mainly used in data centers and isn’t practical for everyday use. Your ISP’s gear is likely stuck at Gigabit speeds, so sticking with Cat5e should suffice. Higher speeds only make sense if you need ultra-fast local connections or your provider offers speeds beyond Gigabit. For instance, your ISP provides 1.2 Gbps down and 35 Mbps up, but they often add a 20% boost across all tiers when bandwidth is available.