Ethernet Cables, do they make a difference?

@jinjuku what do you mean by 60% reliability?
what kind of tests did you run?

Oh god.... Another flaky digital cable thread....  
They make NO difference. So long as the cable supports the ethernet configuration, it makes NO difference. This stuff is obvious. I can't believe people come here and debate this stuff in a serious way. If you think you're hearing differences in your purely digital cables like your HDMI and ethernet cables, it's PURELY in your head. Go read the actual specifications for these interconnects. I have. Nobody who knows how this stuff actually works would conclude you can hear a difference. The actual "sound" is buried under layer upon layer upon layer of physical layers, electrical layers, and protocol layers. It's being packetized, unpacked, routed, and decoded by millions upon millions of MOSFETs stuck to tiny copper traces through far-less-than-audiophile grade leadless Rohs-compliant solder. And some of you think you can "hear" a difference! Can you hear the difference between different brands of tiny surface mount termination resistors? Can you hear the difference between a .3 and .4 volt LVD bit? Where exactly does your insanity start and end? Are the squirrels on the cable up on your telephone pole injecting noise into your digital signal? Are those audiophile-grade telephone poles? What if the wind blows from the north instead of the west? 
And by the way, I think it's very foolish to hardline anything to a broadband modem that you care much about, ESPECIALLY a coax cable modem. Coax is like a freaking lightning rod. I've been running cable modems since 2001 and I lose one to a lightning strike about every 18 to 24 months. I just had one replaced last week. If you MUST hardline your intranet from a cable modem, by all means get the most robust surge suppression you can find for that coax. I've seen strikes rip through the modem, the router, the switch, and every network card connected to it. Unless you NEED the speed, go wireless. 

@acepilot71
Just as a matter of fact, ethernet doesn't always use TCP/IP because there isn't really a "TCP/IP" protocol. Those are two different protocols for two different layers of the software interface.  In all likelihood, it's using TCP/FTP. 

kosst_amojan

Another flaky digital cable thread....  
They make NO difference. So long as the cable supports the ethernet configuration, it makes NO difference. This stuff is obvious. I can't believe people come here and debate this stuff in a serious way.  If you think you're hearing differences in your purely digital cables like your HDMI and ethernet cables, it's PURELY in your head. Go read the actual specifications for these interconnects. I have

You've just proven your own expectation bias. Congratulations.

Nobody who knows how this stuff actually works would conclude you can hear a difference.

Are you actually claiming to speak for the entire spectrum of all knowledgeable people?

Where exactly does your insanity start and end?

So anyone who questions your claim is insane?

Coax is like a freaking lightning rod. I've been running cable modems since 2001 and I lose one to a lightning strike about every 18 to 24 months. I just had one replaced last week.

There's obviously something very wrong with your installation if you suffer this problem. You might want to call in an expert.

 

@cleeds
Expectation bias??? What planet are you from? I guess I’m biased if that means I assemble equipment according to my intent and it’s design and I expect it to perform to it’s specifications. I’m not like you who cobbles together whatever hocus-pocus I can find with no expectations it will do anything so I can turn it on and be amazed that it does anything at all. Do you think that’s how the world around you works? Go open up your amp and replace all the resistors in it with aluminum foil and bubble gum wrappers. DONT TELL ME IT WON’T WORK. That kind of talk is expectation bias! Don’t tell me that the design doesn’t account for bubble gum wrappers. According to your logic, we can only know it won’t work if when the thing explodes. Any result between catastrophic failure and glorious musicality should be possiblities to you. Anything else would be a biased expectation, even if it’s well founded.
Now go get to soldering and report back!

And by the way, I get my IT advice from a buddy who worked on communications systems for DOD at Langley AFB and Cheyenne Mountain. I'm pretty sure his knowledge and experience beats your Geek Squad guy.