How long can an IDE cable be?

hevnsnt

Lifer
Mar 18, 2000
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I know the SFF-8049 standard limits the cable length to 18". But has anyone ever used anything longer reliably?
 

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
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Are you sure it's 18. I'm pretty sure they come in 24, but not positive. Check with newegg. etc.
 

Analog

Lifer
Jan 7, 2002
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much of it will depend on the quality of the circuits on the sending and receiving end. If the designers build robust circuits on both ends, one could envision longer cables. If however, you happen to have shoddy design, you may run into problems.
 
Jan 31, 2002
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Originally posted by: yellowfiero
much of it will depend on the quality of the circuits on the sending and receiving end. If the designers build robust circuits on both ends, one could envision longer cables. If however, you happen to have shoddy design, you may run into problems.

Yeah, like premature ej- Oh, you're actually talking about IDE cables here. :p

- M4H
 

Thump553

Lifer
Jun 2, 2000
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Using 36" and a 24" inch rounded IDE cables (from SVC) on an ESC motherboard for several months with absolutely no issues. I think longer than 18" may be beyond the original standards allowed though.