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Cable Matters 1Gbps 8-Pack Snagless Cat 5e Ethernet Cable, 5ft, Black | 24 AWG Bare Copper, Gigabit Ethernet, Cat5e Cable, Cat5e Ethernet Cord
Cable Matters

Cable Matters 1Gbps 8-Pack Snagless Cat 5e Ethernet Cable

Bottom line: The Cable Matters 1Gbps 8-Pack Snagless Cat 5e Ethernet Cable: 24 AWG bare copper conductors, not copper-clad aluminum, for full gigabit throughput; main trade-off: 5ft only, too short for wall-to-desk or between-room runs.

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By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For retro PC hardware and period-correct parts, synthesises manufacturer documentation, community compatibility lists and marketplace listings rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ 24 AWG bare copper conductors, not copper-clad aluminum, for full gigabit throughput
  • ✓ 8 cables per pack covers a whole switch panel in one order
  • ✓ Snagless molded boots stop RJ45 tabs catching in dense port rows
  • ✓ 350 MHz bandwidth, meets or exceeds TIA/EIA 568-B Cat 5e spec

Cons

  • ✗ 5ft only, too short for wall-to-desk or between-room runs
  • ✗ Cat 5e tops out below Cat 6/6a for 10GbE over distance
  • ✗ Black only, so no color-coding VLANs or subnets by cable
  • ✗ Eight identical lengths is wasteful if you need just one or two

Manufacturer description

The Cable Matters Cat 5e Ethernet cable 8-pack solves the problem every network build eventually hits: you need four more patch cables and you need them now. Each of the eight 5ft black cords uses 24 AWG bare copper conductors rather than copper-clad aluminum, which is what lets this Cat5e cable hold gigabit throughput across the run instead of degrading under load. Bandwidth is rated to 350 MHz, and the cable meets or exceeds TIA/EIA 568-B Category 5e performance while staying backward compatible with older Cat 5 runs. The snagless strain-relief boots matter more than they sound like they…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Cable Matters 1Gbps 8-Pack Snagless Cat 5e Ethernet Cable using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the retro networking cards category. Cable Matters's retro networking cards lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for retro networking cards of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Cat 5e actually handle gigabit, or do I need Cat 6?

Cat 5e handles full 1Gbps. These are rated to 350 MHz and meet or exceed TIA/EIA 568-B Category 5e. Cat 6 or 6a only matters if you are running 10GbE over longer distances.

Is this real copper or copper-clad aluminum?

Bare copper. The conductors are 24 AWG bare copper, which is what maintains signal quality across the run; CCA cable degrades faster under load and in PoE use.

Can I use these for PoE cameras and access points?

Yes. Cable Matters lists PoE devices among the supported connections, along with PCs, servers, printers, routers, switches, NAS units, VoIP phones, and network media players.

What does snagless mean and why should I care?

The RJ45 connector has a molded strain-relief boot covering the release tab. It stops the tab from catching on adjacent cables when you pull one out of a packed switch or patch panel.

How long are they, and how many do I get?

Eight cables, 5ft each, in black. That length suits patch-panel jumpers and desk runs; measure first if you need to reach across a room.

Key Features

  • High Performance Internet Cable: Cat5e-rated Ethernet cord with 24 AWG copper wire provides universal connectivity for LAN components such as PCs, servers, printers, routers, switch boxes, network media players, NAS, VoIP phones, Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices, and more.
  • Reliable Gigabit Network: Build your home or office network with this Gigabit Ethernet cable. A wired Cat 5e Ethernet cable provides a more reliable and secure connection than a wireless network or standard Cat 5 Ethernet cable.
  • Category 5e Compatibility: This Ethernet data cable is also referred to as a Cat5e network cable, Cat5e cable, Cat5e Ethernet cable, or Cat 5e data/LAN cable. Meets or exceeds Category 5e performance per the TIA/EIA 568-B standard and is backward compatible with Cat5 Ethernet cable.
  • Durable Construction: Gold-plated contacts and strain-relief boots ensure long-lasting durability and a secure connection. Bare copper conductors enhance performance and meet communication cable specifications.
  • High-Speed Data Transfer: This flexible and durable RJ45 cable (RJ45 Ethernet cable, Cat5e network cable, Cat 5e cable) supports bandwidth up to 350 MHz for high-speed data transmission. Ideal for server applications, cloud computing, video surveillance, PoE connections, and streaming HD video online.

Full Specifications

BrandCable Matters
ColorBlack
Gauge24
Model150001-BLK-5x8
Frequency350 MHz
Cable TypeCat 5e
Item ShapeRound
Unit Count40 Feet
Part Number150001-BLK-5x8
ConnectivityWireless
CompatibilitySwitch
Connector TypeRJ45
Number of Pins8
Outer MaterialPolyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Connection TypeWired
Special FeatureGigabit
Connector GenderMale-to-Male
Specification MetEIA, RoHS, TIA, UL
Compatible DevicesPC, Printer, Router, Server
Data Transfer Rate5 gigabits_per_second
Full listing titleCable Matters 1Gbps 8-Pack Snagless Cat 5e Ethernet Cable, 5ft, Black | 24 AWG Bare Copper, Gigabit Ethernet, Cat5e Cable, Cat5e Ethernet Cord

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Cable Matters 1Gbps 8-Pack Snagless Cat 5e Ethernet Cable, 5ft, Black | 24 AWG Bare Copper, Gigabit Ethernet, Cat5e Cable, Cat5e Ethernet Cord is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

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Cable Matters 1Gbps 8-Pack Snagless Cat 5e Ethernet Cable, 5ft, Black | 24 AWG Bare Copper, Gigabit Ethernet, Cat5e Cable, Cat5e Ethernet Cord
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