Round cable questions

[Flightsim]

I need to buy some new case fans for my computer, but I am also considering buying round cables. Do round cables really help improve airflow and lower the temperature inside a computer case? How do you know what cable length to buy: 18 inch or 24 inch? Does it matter what length you buy?

 

[corkyg]

A lot depends on your layout - where your HDDs are located. I have rounded cables in my full towers, and my drives are all above in the 5.25-in bays (mobile racks). The rounded cables block less of the air flow into the power supply in that case. They are also shielded (better EMI protection.) But, the main reason I use them is because they look nice. I use yellow for the FDC, blue for IDE1, and red for IDE2. That makes changes and checks visually easy.

As for length, the IDE standard is 18-inches. You can probably go 24 and not have any problems, but I say use the shortest that fit.

Most ATX mobos have the controller plugs on the right upper side. Some older AT boards had them in the middle, and that caused a lot of congestion in the CPU area.

 

[amdskip]

Most people against rounded cables say they don't improve airflow. These people are the ones who know how to fold regular ide cables so that there is good airflow inside a case. Some people buy rounded cables just because they are too lazy to make their flat cables look nice and organized. A lot of it is just personal preference and they look pretty darn sweet when used

 

[CubicZirconia]

A lot of it is just personal preference and they look pretty darn sweet when used

IMO, that is the only actual difference. Rounded cables look a lot better than regular ide cables. They didn't improve air flow in my case, or at least not enough to drop temps.