24" & up IDE cable Signal degradation?

[DDad]

Fixing to build a "kick ass" system using a server case. Biggest question I have (for right now), I am confused over the issue of 24" IDEcables- do they (or don't) suffer from signal degradation, and if so, how much of a performance loss will I see?

 

[RaiderJ]

You may not see any signal degredation, but anytime you have cables longer than 18", you do run that risk. I'm not sure of a way to test to see if you have any errors or not, but I'm sure there is a program out there that does if you look around.

 

[sohcrates]

well, i run 36 inch IDE's for my cd-roms, and have not noticed any difference. I run 24 inchers for my HDD's

 

[Double Trouble]

I use several 36" IDE (80 wire) cables in my case and haven't had any problems..... I don't know if this is true for everyone or not, but it hasn't presented a problem for me.

 

[corkyg]

There always are and always will be exceptions to every rule . . . but the IDE standard for max cable length is 18 inches. If you don't need more, then it is prudent to stay in the standard. Like others, I have used 24-inchers . . . but once I got into ATX cases and mobos, that was no longer necessary because the IDE ports on the mobo are on the upper right thus making for shorter runs. (I use only full tower cases.)