Why This Cheap Network Upgrade Matters
If you are running out of Ethernet ports on your router or gaming setup, a small gigabit switch can make a big difference. TP-Link is offering a nearly 50 percent discount on its 5 port gigabit Ethernet switch, bringing the price to under ten dollars. That makes it an easy and affordable way to expand your wired network at home.
This compact switch lets you plug in multiple wired devices without needing to replace your router. You get up to four extra Ethernet ports for your PC, console, smart TV or other gear while still enjoying fast gigabit speeds.
What You Can Do With a 5 Port Gigabit Switch
A 5 port gigabit switch is a small box with five Ethernet ports on it. One port connects to your router and the others are used for your devices. In the case of this TP-Link model, that means you can physically connect up to four wired devices to your home network.
Here are some useful ways to use it:
- Gaming setup: Connect your gaming PC, console, and maybe even a streaming box with stable wired connections instead of relying on Wi Fi.
- Home office: Plug in your work PC or laptop dock, VoIP phone and printer so everything has a reliable network link.
- Living room entertainment: Wire up your smart TV, streaming box and game console for smoother video playback and lower latency.
- Small LANs: Set up a few PCs or devices together for local file sharing or light LAN gaming without crowding your main router.
Because it is a gigabit switch, each port can handle up to 1000 Mbps under ideal conditions. That is more than enough for most home internet connections and plenty for tasks like high resolution streaming, online gaming and large file transfers over your local network.
Why A Wired Connection Is Still Worth It
Even with fast Wi Fi, wired Ethernet still has big advantages for gaming and performance minded users. A switch like this TP-Link model helps you get more out of your existing router by adding extra ports exactly where you need them.
Some benefits of using Ethernet where possible include:
- Lower latency: Wired connections usually give you more stable ping times in online games compared to Wi Fi.
- Consistent speeds: You avoid interference from walls, other networks or devices that can slow down wireless links.
- Better reliability: Once a cable is plugged in and working, it generally stays stable for long sessions like gaming, streaming or remote work.
- Offloading Wi Fi: Moving a few key devices to wired can reduce congestion on your wireless network for phones and tablets.
A small switch is also simple to set up. You typically just plug the power in, run one Ethernet cable from your router to the switch, then plug your devices into the remaining ports. No special configuration is needed for basic use.
At under ten dollars, this TP-Link 5 port gigabit switch is a low risk upgrade that can clean up your wiring and give you more reliable connections for your PC, consoles and other home tech without replacing your existing router.
Original article and image: https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/tp-links-five-port-ethernet-switch-is-only-usd8-99-litewave-5-port-is-50-percent-off-lets-you-connect-up-to-four-devices-to-the-internet
