Gigabit Ports?

[Sir. Crackerjam]

I would suggest doing a bit of research on your router, because some do have a 10mbit internet designated port, which would obviously cut your speeds.

Also, cat6 is unnecessary, unless you're using the cable primarily for VOIP, and other UDP protocols (UDP protocols send information and assume it was recieved correctly, TCP protocols use error checking, I could go more in-depth but I don't want to bore you, most things do use TCP). A standard cat5 will do fine, and if you're worried about interference you can always get a shielded version. I have a feeling cat6 is more expensive, but I'm not sure.

[Sir. MatDef]

For the love of god, do not buy from ibuypower! Their computers are poorly built, and the customer support is even worse, stay as far away from them as you can.

For the cable question, just buy here:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/su...02&cp_id=10232

Now you can't afford not to buy cat6.

[Sir. TheHeartSmasher]

$22.43 is pretty good for 100Ft. of pre-made CAT6

[jagblade]

Alright, this is new stuff to me. Never heard of this Cat5/6 thing before. But looking into it (not sure if I'm right) it's a network cable that regulates my transfer speed and bandwidth? Also to explain again, I won't be using LAN or a router. I'll be running a line into my Motorola cable modem and then straight into my computer.

[Sir. Crackerjam]

Cat stands for category, and 5/6 is just the version of the IT regulation standard for types of ethernet cable (networking cable). Basically, ethernet cable is made of smaller cables, twisted around each other in a cable housing. The only difference between the different catagories is the number of twists per unit of length (which isn't directly proportional to the category number). More twists reduce interference between the different wires.

Also, it's generally a good idea to have a router, they have features that help protect your computer from bad things on the internet. And they help if you decide to get a wireless laptop, or an extra computer.

Oh, and it looks like cat6 is the way to go, there's no point in paying the same price for a lesser quality cable.

[Sir. TheHeartSmasher]

Normally these are some of the setups:
Cable Modem -> Router -> Firewall -> Switch that the computers connect to.
or
Cable Modem -> Router with built-in Firewall -> Switch that connects the other computer connect to.
or
Cable Modem -> Router with built-in Firewall -> Then different computers connect to the router.
or
If the cable modem can act as a router with built-in firewall
Cable Modem -> Computers
or
Cable Modem -> Computers with Firewall software

[jagblade]

Thanks heart, now I understand it a bit better. I do Have the D-Link Xtreme Gaming Router if that works.

[jagblade]

Update - Going to be going with the last setup given by Heartsmasher. I'll be putting some firewall software into the new gaming PC I'm ordering so now all I need to know is this. Would I run the Cat6 cable from my modem to the gigabit Ethernet port on my new PC? Or do I require a router to use it?

[Sir. Crackerjam]

You can run your internet directly into your PC if you don't want to put a router in between, without any issues.