Gigabit Ethernet on iMac

[sheppard52]

Hey there people.
I am wanting to just question something really.
I got myself a new Imac last week etc etc found it had gigabit ethernet.
now I know to get gigabit speed you need a cat6 cable. ( I know you can sometimes run gigabit on cat5e)
Anway, I got myself the new cable plugged it all in. went to system preferences to see what it was reading at the 10/100/1000base TX menu.
Went to system prefs, Network, Advanced, Ethernet.
It is telling me its 100Base TX. It is set to automatic. so I set it to manual and change to 1000Base T but it doesnt do anything. well it does, it telling my my ethernet cable is unplugged.
How can I changed it to 1000Base T? as I am not sure if I am even using gigabit speed.
I do not have a router or anything at the moment. its just Imac < > Modem.
Sorry if it was a but long winded! haha

Thanks to anyone that can help!
James

 

[davidwarren]

does the modem support gigabit?

edit--also, unless you have a crazy fast connection, gigabit ethernet won't make a difference modem-->iMac

 

[sheppard52]

does the modem support gigabit?

mmm..not sure. its a Scientific Atlanta 2100

By the way sorry i forgot to put, i have a fast connection 10Mb DSL

 

[nb705]

No, your modem does not support Gigabit Ethernet. And even if it did, you would gain absolutely nothing by using it. It would not speed up your 10mbps connection one iota.

 

[mpshay]

As previously mentioned 100 megabit Ethernet is more than fast enough for your current internet connection. Gigabyte is only going to help if you have 2 or more computer on a local network and move large files between them

 

[sheppard52]

As previously mentioned 100 megabit Ethernet is more than fast enough for your current internet connection. Gigabyte is only going to help if you have 2 or more computer on a local network and move large files between them

which is exacly what I am going to be doing.
I have a rack server 3 windows desktops and this iMac and a 2 family wireless laptops.

 

[spinnerlys]

If the other computers have Gigabit Ethernet too, you should look into a Gigabit Ethernet Switch, otherwise you won't feel a thing of this fast speed.

As your modem is only 10/100 Mbit Ethernet (and maybe the other computers too), your Mac only recognizes the 10/100 Mbit speed, even if the cable is capable of more.

Btw, is English your mother's tongue?