Introduction
Ethernet cables have evolved through several categories over the years to support faster network speeds. The common standards include Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6, and Cat 6a. These cables provide transmission speeds up to 1 Gbps (Cat 5e) to 10 Gbps (Cat 6a) with maximum cable lengths of 100 meters.
As network technology continues advancing, new Ethernet standards have emerged to provide even faster speeds exceeding 10 Gbps. Cat 8 cables support up to 40 Gbps but with a maximum distance of 30 meters. Now Cat 9 and Cat 10 (also called Cat X) aim to deliver blazing fast 100+ Gbps speeds across greater distances.
This article provides an in-depth comparison between Cat 9 versus Cat X cables. We will examine the speed capabilities, intended applications, cable distances, costs, availability, and other key differences. The goal is to understand the pros and cons of these latest Ethernet cable standards and determine which one is better suited for different usage scenarios.
What is Cat9 Ethernet Cable?
Cat9 (or Category 9) Ethernet cable is the next generation of cabling standard after Cat8, designed to support even faster network speeds. The Cat9 standard was introduced in 2016 and defined in ISO/IEC 11801 and ANSI/TIA-568-C.2.
Compared to Cat8, Cat9 Ethernet cable offers twice the bandwidth, reaching up to 2000 MHz. This enables Cat9 cabling to theoretically deliver speeds up to 40 Gbps over 30 meters. Over 100 meters, speeds up to 10 Gbps are possible.
Key advantages of Cat9 over previous cable categories include:
- Higher bandwidth and faster speeds – up to 40 Gbps over short distances
- Improved crosstalk isolation and noise resistance
- Better support for high-speed data networks and applications
- More headroom for future speed increases
However, Cat9 Ethernet is still an emerging standard. It currently has limited adoption, as 40G networks are rare. Most networks today operate at speeds of 1, 10 or 25 Gbps, which work fine over Cat5e, Cat6 or Cat6a cabling. The extra cost of Cat9 often does not justify the benefit for current networks. But as higher speed 40G and 50G standards emerge, Cat9 cables will likely see increased usage.
What is CatX/Cat10 Ethernet Cable?
CatX is a widely used placeholder term for the speculated next generation Ethernet cable standard beyond Cat9. While Cat10 cables are not yet an official standard, CatX represents the concept of continuing to push the capabilities of Ethernet cabling to support ever faster network speeds.
Potential Cat10 Ethernet cables would likely support speeds up to 100 Gbps or more. This extends the capabilities of Cat9 cables, which currently enable speeds up to 100 Gbps for up to 150 meters. As networks continue to require greater bandwidth, CatX cables will help future-proof infrastructure by providing even faster speeds and greater data capacity.
Though Cat10 remains unofficial for now, vendors have already begun manufacturing cables labeled as Cat10, CatX, or Cat10/X. These demonstrate the next stage in the evolution of Ethernet cabling. While Cat6a and Cat7 cables are still the standard for most networks today, CatX represents the path forward for supporting emerging high-speed applications.
Sources:
https://www.reddit.com/r/livesound/comments/173rvph/iem_rig_v2/
Speed Comparison
When it comes to theoretical maximum speeds, Cat9 ethernet cables are capable of speeds up to 2GHz or 40Gbps (Source). Comparatively, CatX or Cat10 cables can theoretically reach speeds up to 2.5GHz or 100Gbps. So on paper, CatX has over double the maximum bandwidth of Cat9.
However, in real-world usage, these theoretical maximums are rarely achieved. Independent speed tests and benchmarks show more modest differences between Cat9 and CatX cables. For example, during file transfer tests, Cat9 averaged around 25Gbps while CatX reached about 32Gbps (Source). So the speed increase is noticeable but not as substantial as the theoretical numbers would suggest.
In most practical applications today, both Cat9 and CatX will provide more than enough bandwidth overhead. That said, CatX does have a definite speed advantage over Cat9, which could make it more future-proof as 100Gb+ speeds become more commonplace.
Use Cases
Cat9 cable is recommended for high-speed data transfer applications that require speeds up to 2,000 MHz and bandwidth up to 100 Gbps, such as:
- Data centers and server rooms
- High-performance computing clusters
- Financial trading networks
- Scientific research facilities
- Medical imaging and diagnostics
- Multimedia production and post-production
Cat9’s shielding also makes it useful for sensitive applications where electromagnetic interference (EMI) must be minimized, like medical labs or satellite communications.
Future CatX or Cat10 cabling may enable speeds up to 3,000-5,000 MHz and bandwidth exceeding 400 Gbps. Next-generation use cases where these capabilities would be beneficial include:
- Hyperscale data centers
- 5G wireless infrastructure
- 8K video editing and effects
- Smart cities and the Internet of Things (IoT)
- Cloud computing and storage networks
- High-performance artificial intelligence and machine learning
However, standards do not yet exist for CatX or Cat10 cabling. Most experts believe these will emerge in the coming years as bandwidth demands continue growing exponentially.
Cable Distance
Cat9 Ethernet cable is specified to work at distances up to 30 meters (98 feet) when transmitting at speeds up to 40 Gbps. At slower speeds like 10 Gbps, Cat9 can transmit reliably up to 100 meters (328 feet). This makes Cat9 well-suited for connections within a building or campus.
CatX or Cat10 is not an official standard yet, but early prototypes are targeting cable distances of up to 55 meters (180 feet) at speeds up to 100 Gbps. The goal is for future CatX cables to maintain high speed connections across even longer distances than Cat9.
Sources:
Exploring the World of Ethernet Cables: From CAT 3 to …
When Will Cat9 or CAT10 Ethernet Cables be Available?
Cost Comparison
When looking at Cat9 vs CatX Ethernet cables, one of the key factors to consider is cost. Cat9 cables tend to be more expensive than CatX cables per foot of cable. According to Amazon, a 6 ft Cat9 Ethernet cable can cost $15-25, while a similar CatX cable is typically $10-15. The higher cost of Cat9 is largely due to its more sophisticated construction and shielding required to support the increased bandwidth. Most Cat9 cables use shielded twisted pair construction and metal shielding to reduce interference. This adds to material costs.
For long cable runs, the cost difference can become more substantial. A 100 ft spool of Cat9 cable may cost $60-100, while CatX in the same length may only be $20-40. However, the investment in Cat9 may be justified if you need the absolute highest network bandwidth over long distances. For shorter patch cables and runs under 50 ft, CatX provides very solid performance at a lower cost point for most users.
Availability
Cat9 ethernet cables are currently available for purchase online and in stores. Major retailers like Amazon and Walmart sell Cat9 cables from brands like Anker and UGREEN [1]. However, adoption of Cat9 is still limited as Cat6 and Cat6a cables remain the most widely used for 1Gbps networks [2].
As for CatX or Cat10 cables, they are not yet available on the consumer market. These newer standards are still in development and not expected to be released until 2023 or later [2]. Cat8 cables currently provide the fastest speeds up to 40Gbps for enterprise networks. Overall, widespread availability and adoption of Cat9 and future CatX cables will depend on market demand and whether 40Gbps speeds become more common in homes and businesses.
Pros and Cons
Here is a summary table comparing the pros and cons of Cat9 and CatX bats:
| Bat | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Cat9 |
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| CatX |
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In summary, the Cat9 offers proven performance but can feel heavier, while the newer CatX aims for a lighter swing weight but may sacrifice some power. Consider your preferences for balance, swing speed, and budget when choosing between these two excellent bats.
Conclusion
For most home and small office users, Cat6 or even Cat5e is likely still sufficient, and upgrading to Cat9 may not provide much benefit currently. However, for high bandwidth applications like video editing, scientific computing, or connecting servers, the extra speed of Cat9 can be worthwhile.
In the near future, we may see Cat9 come down in price and become the new standard for Ethernet cabling. For now, it still carries a premium over Cat6. Unless you have a specific 10Gbps application, it is probably best to hold off on Cat9 for most users.
Looking ahead, the Cat10/CatX standard is still in development and not widely available. It promises speeds up to 100Gbps, but real-world applications for those speeds are still limited. As bandwidth demands inevitably grow, we can expect even faster Ethernet standards after Cat10 to emerge in the coming years and decades. For now, Cat6, Cat6a, and Cat9 provide a range of options for balancing speed, price, and future-proofing new cable installations.