🏆 Winner: Gigabit Ethernet
⚡ Quick Answer
Gigabit is 10x faster (1000 Mbps vs 100 Mbps). Fast Ethernet is obsolete. Always buy Gigabit in 2026.
| Factor |
Gigabit Ethernet |
Fast Ethernet |
| Speed |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1000 Mbps |
⭐⭐ 100 Mbps |
| Future-Proof |
✅ Yes |
❌ Obsolete |
| Cable Required |
Cat5e or better |
Cat5 |
Gigabit Ethernet
Modern Ethernet standard at 1000 Mbps.
✓ Pros
- 10x faster
- Modern standard
- Supports long cables
- Backward compatible
✗ Cons
- Slightly more expensive
- Requires Cat5e or better cable
Fast Ethernet
Old Ethernet standard at 100 Mbps (obsolete).
✓ Pros
- Cheap
- Works with Cat5 cable
✗ Cons
- 10x slower
- Obsolete
- Bottleneck for modern internet
- Not future-proof
The Verdict
Always buy Gigabit. Fast Ethernet is obsolete. Even budget routers and switches have Gigabit now. Fast Ethernet bottlenecks modern internet speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Gigabit for 100 Mbps internet?
Yes. Local network transfers (NAS, streaming) benefit. Plus internet speeds increase over time. Fast Ethernet will bottleneck future upgrades.
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Last updated: April 21, 2026 •
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