manually rounding cables?

[VizStorm]

Why would you want to make your own rounded cables? You can get great rounded cables for $15 at most.

[singularity2006]

it's called the laziness... :cool:

but that's beside the point. I'm speaking hypothetically. When they first came out, they were too expensive for me so I made my own.... I still use them on my older systems, but I just wonder if that sort of stress on the fibers can cause resistance that is great enough that it would impair disk drive performance.

[Bradf0rd010]

Does one need any other reason than 'Because I can :D' ?

[DeathCarrot]

i know quite a few people who rounded their ide cables and have noticed no change in realiability... i think you should be ok :shrug:

[GregHess]

One of the fundamental problems with rounded cables is interference.

IDE cables are normally arranged with ground wires in specific positions. When you round the cables this upsets the arrangement of the ground spacing, placing data next to data in some cases. This can cause interference and data loss.

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/ide3.htm

Here's an example of the normal layout of an IDE cable.

As stated above, slicing the wires and rounding them yourself, upsets this arrangement.

Certain manufacturers (Like coolermaster) produce rounded cables with ground wires spaced inbetween each data line to prevent interference. Though its not necessary, they even go to such lengths as to coat the entire assembly in alumnium foil, and then ground the alumnium foil to the case with an additional wire. (Talk about shielding).

I have had to replace some rounded cables at work when they caused a raid array to fail due to errors. (It was an IDE array and didn't have the ability to correct the host of errors occuring from a badly designed rounded cable). I've since replaced most cables with teflon coated ATA-133 cables (24 inch) from newegg. The teflon allows the ribbon to hold its form and allows for very intricate folding and tucking, resulting in even better airflow then a rounded cable would allow in a similar situation. (Because you can tuck the cable completely out of the way, as opposed to having a large cylindrical object in the airflow's path).

Remember that the ribbion cables are also limited in length. Their specification calls for no more then 24 inches from mboard to master...many ide cables (rounded and ribbion) break this specification.

Though many indivduals never encounter problems with rounded cables, or cables beyond the IDE specification length...those same individuals don't run their computer for weeks straight rendering.

[singularity2006]

oooOooOO..... excellent, thanks for the nfO. So I suppose even the rounded ones that I bought could perhaps be junky trash? So i should just got some new ones from newegg? yah?

[GregHess]

They should be fine. Just don't run any sort of raid array with them.

Also remember if you encounter issues, you should still have your default motherboard ide cables as backup.

[singularity2006]

On that note, would I see a performance difference if I used an 80 thread IDE cable as opposed to a 40? For some stupid reason Fry's doesn't carry the rounded cables with 80 threads.... just 40. So I've been using a regular rounded 40 thread cable on a drive the should be using an 80. (Seagate Baracuda IV 40GB)

[Carnifex]

Actually the max difference allowed by the ATA spec calls for no more than 18 inches of cable length. This can be an issue, especially with the faster standards such as ATA100 and ATA133.

Some brands of cables that are 24 inches and 26 have been known to cause issues, even in the standard non-rounded type.

I have an Antec Cobra rounded cable that is 26 inches. I use it on my optical drives and I have experienced no issues with them. I wouldn't put it on my harddrives though.

[Carnifex]

crap, missed that question.
Singularity, yes you will see a rather large performance difference in that your harddrive cannot run at it's rated speed on a 40 conductor cable. ATA66 and higher requires an 80 conductor cable to work. Your harddrive is currently running at a max of ATA33, which is slowing you down. Do your self a favor and go online and order some cables. www.xoxide.com has some decent rounded cables for very little money. Compusa carries them as well, although they are more expensive and you figure on paying as much as 20 bucks for a cable. If you have a Microcenter store in your area they also carry a nice selection of cables.

[beaker]

You could just use zip ties to make the ribbon circular. Don't know if thats going to cause issues from interference though.

[GregHess]

Its 18? Shieeeet, I totally missed that. Thanks for the correction.

[singularity2006]

*Gasp..* someone.... just corrected Greg Hess??? :bowdown:

hahhaha... but anyhow....

So am I correct to assume that if I were to use these cables on my 12x DVD ROM and 52x24x52x CDRW, I would not notice a difference? ATA133 should only affect hard disk drives? si?

[GregHess]

Some CD/DVDrom's are ATA-66...I haven't seen any ata-100 or 133 CD/DVD etc etc rom's yet....not that they'd need that type of bandwidth anyway.

Or so ya, you shouldn't notice a difference :).

I could have sworn I read 24 hehe.

[singularity2006]

ah screwed.... I'm an impulsive idiot. >.<

Ordered 2 cables from colorcases.com (i luv their cases though) but they were 20 a piece and damn.... i just realized they are 24"!! >.< Shipping is expensive too!! AagH, I emailed them just now asking to cancel my order.... I hope they're kind.... :cry:

I found shorter cables from newegg that were only $8 of the same type!! d'oH!!

The credit card is the most irritating thing in the world.... *sigh*

and d'oH! I just opened up my case to count up how many conductors are on my cable and it's already 80!! >.< d'oH! Damn, i must have confused my system with my bro's system cuz I work with his often too and one of the two had only a 40 conductor cable!! gaH!! >.<

.... a lil bit later...

oh d'oH! I replaced his cables already!! >.< dang, gotta call up colorcases in the morning... gah..... :annoyed:

[GregHess]

Here's an interesting article on ata-cabling.

http://www.lostcircuits.com/advice/atafaq/

I know the topic's kinda of dead, but new info is still new info :).

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