the only "problem" i have encountered with cable length isn't and to end but the distance from the mobo end to the middle connector. the end connector can reach a cd-rom in the top spot, but the middle connector isn't long enough to get to the cd-rom below the top one. since i have a bunch of ide cables and i'm using an ata/66 card, i figured out a way to reach all my drives...but it will probably be easier to start with 24" cables