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The best-shielded IDE cables.

D

Demogorg0

n00b
Joined
Jan 21, 2004
Messages
20
I am looking for high-quality rounded IDE cables with the best shielding. I've seen some with a wire that you can connect to ground the grounding wires to the case. That looks good, but I don't know if it makes a real difference. Does anyone have good experiences? Are there some websites that have done detailed tests?

The reason why I ask is because I recently solved some intense IDE performance problems by installing a cable that's above average instead of super cheap and self-rounded. I had no idea that it could make such a difference, so I want to buy a high quality rounded one to resist all of the interference that my cramped mid-tower case can dish out, and of course for maximum performance.
 
Was your new cable shorter than the old by any chance?

If so, you most likely had data reflection and not interference.

IDE spec is 18 inches, anyhting longer and you run the risk of data problems on the IDE chanel teh cable is on.

As far as interference, look at what's inside your case, or look at your window...yep many windows fail to block electrmagnetic emissions. That's why you hear of those storeis about RF controlled appliances acting up sometimes around PCs, it's often teh guys who run witht eh sides off, etc that have those stories.

Shieldded cables are a great start, but for the cable you bolt down...most likely is overkill. ATA spec lead to the 80-pin ribbon for that reason, half the wires are grounds for purpose of reducing crosstalk and EMI issues that seem to be easier to find as ATA transfer rates go up. Just remeber to keep ALL data cables away from anything running off AC. If the only AC lines are outside of your case, you are decent so long as your case isnt all acryilc. Metal cases act as a faraday cage of sorts and for that reason do a great job at isolating the inside from outside interference and vice versa. But if you have a gaping window in your case...that area is a spot where possible interference can be allowed intot he chassis.


BTW pardon my typing...im about to call it a night, and am really too tired to profread :p
 
This is very good insight, because I actually have the side of my case removed since I've been working on my computer so much. And guess what's sitting next to it. The power strip.

For the record, I was using a cheapo unshielded ribbon cable that came with my hard drive, and I switched it out with a good one that came with my Asus "deluxe" mobo. It made a difference, because previously, you could see the distinct rythm of the controller doing retries on the disk access light. It's pretty smooth now.

Either way, I'm buying a rounded cable, and I want to choose one that gives the best possible data integrity and performance.
 
Wow, look at those five star ratings. Looks like it's pretty hard to go wrong with Antec. Thanks.
 
If you are concerned about interference then you shouldn't be using rounded ide cables. It is out of spec and can lead to crosstalk between the lines. No amount of shielding is going to protect from that. I think a regular 80pin ribbon cable would have better data integrity than the most shielded round cable. But since you say you are going to have rounded cables no matter what, I say at least get the power strip away from the computer. That'll probably mess with more than just your ide cables.
 
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