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Round IDE Cables

T

TheRyuu

Diamond Member
Just wondering, do round IDE Cables really make all the difference in the air flow, or cooling of a case? I just got a new computer, and I was going to use the cables that came with my motherboard (not round). Do you really even notice the difference in temps? Is there any difference at all?
 
It will certainly help with airflow. How much difference you'll notice in temps probably varies based on the system. If you really want small cables, go with SATA.
 
Originally posted by: CalvinHobbes
It will certainly help with airflow. How much difference you'll notice in temps probably varies based on the system. If you really want small cables, go with SATA.
Click to expand...

I have SATA dives, but what about the CD/DVD Drives, all of them are IDE. Plus I have an IDE hard drive I use as storage.
 
Depends on the case. I have a Lian-Li PC-60A, and the IDE cables were above the 120mm intake fan, and thus really didn't block that much airflow to start with. I did go with rounded cables just because it makes my case look uncluttered. As for temps, at least in my case, the rounded cables did not change them.

A plus for round cables is that it makes working in my case easier, as they don't obscure as much stuff.
 
u could just do the ghetto way. Fold ur cables longways and wrap electrical tape around them. Thats what I went with and it looks decent enough to not vomit on my case and have chunks of it fly back from my cpu fan.
 
Originally posted by: wizboy11
Just wondering, do round IDE Cables really make all the difference in the air flow, or cooling of a case? I just got a new computer, and I was going to use the cables that came with my motherboard (not round). Do you really even notice the difference in temps? Is there any difference at all?
Click to expand...


If you have a lot of hard drives, it'll make a more noticable difference. It also looks a lot nicer if you have a window in your case. Even if you aren't worried about either of those issues, if you like to route everything nicely to make for a clean install you will like the round cables.
 
I wonder myself if anyone ever made any measurements on that...Seems to be just looks that make ppl go for round cables. I have these big flat nasty IDE tapes and guess that's the last item to have issue with cooling 😛
 
Sorry to resurrect a somewhat older thread - but rather than start a new one, this one seemed to fit my question. Anyone have advice on brands of rounded cable manufacturers? I've heard making a bad choice here can be very troublesome.
 
do not try and cut your IDE cables. Its harder than it looks to try and strip each one perfectly. Also, you do not want an exposed cable if you cut it accidentaly. Best to use tape to fold it.
 
I've heard that some of the generic round cables sometimes just stop working. I had the same problem with the cheap ones that came with my MB, so I had to use my old flat ribbon cables again.

SVC.com has a lot of different round cables for prety good prices. They have some generic as well as name brands. I plan to buy the TT ones because it seems several people here have had good luck with them.
 
Do round cables make a difference? Maybe,depending on how you manage your cables. I for one use flat IDE 's on all builds and if you take some time and patience folding it the inside of your case can look as neat as you want.

Sample
 
Originally posted by: fireontheway
Do round cables make a difference? Maybe,depending on how you manage your cables. I for one use flat IDE 's on all builds and if you take some time and patience folding it the inside of your case can look as neat as you want.

Sample
Click to expand...

Wow, that is very well done!
I for one must not have that kind of paitience because my ribbon cable look like crap.
 
Originally posted by: Ike0069
I've heard that some of the generic round cables sometimes just stop working. I had the same problem with the cheap ones that came with my MB, so I had to use my old flat ribbon cables again.

SVC.com has a lot of different round cables for prety good prices. They have some generic as well as name brands. I plan to buy the TT ones because it seems several people here have had good luck with them.
Click to expand...

I was having major HD and optical drive issues a few weeks back. Changed HDs, optical drives, did everything I could think of. Still didn't fix it. Changed out my round IDE cables to ribbon ones and, voila, problems disappeared.

-Jason
 
Originally posted by: fireontheway
Do round cables make a difference? Maybe,depending on how you manage your cables. I for one use flat IDE 's on all builds and if you take some time and patience folding it the inside of your case can look as neat as you want.

Sample
Click to expand...

Thanks for that tip. I was going to buy round cables for my new A8N32 until I saw that. I have a regular ATX case; I used a similar technique, and ran the cables along the back of the case, sliding the excess cable behind the drive bays, and back out directly next to the appropriate drive.

Helpful Subtip: It was impossible for me to just "wing" this. I used the old cables of the same length as the new, used large paper clips to fold them until I got the pattern right, then copied the pattern on the new cable using more clips. After installation, I removed the paper clips. Here's a pic of the cabling on the finished build: http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/9937/folded10og.jpg
 
Hi, Some IDE connectors can be separated without damage. Cut off a cable and reapply the connector. No stripping is needed. A bench vise makes a decent "squeezer" to reapply the connector. Just make sure it latches. I have been makeing flat cables for many years using new parts and salvaged parts. New is safer. Good Luck, Jim
 
Originally posted by: DrZDO
Originally posted by: fireontheway
Do round cables make a difference? Maybe,depending on how you manage your cables. I for one use flat IDE 's on all builds and if you take some time and patience folding it the inside of your case can look as neat as you want.

Sample
Click to expand...

Thanks for that tip. I was going to buy round cables for my new A8N32 until I saw that. I have a regular ATX case; I used a similar technique, and ran the cables along the back of the case, sliding the excess cable behind the drive bays, and back out directly next to the appropriate drive.

Helpful Subtip: It was impossible for me to just "wing" this. I used the old cables of the same length as the new, used large paper clips to fold them until I got the pattern right, then copied the pattern on the new cable using more clips. After installation, I removed the paper clips. Here's a pic of the cabling on the finished build: http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/9937/folded10og.jpg
Click to expand...


Great job folding the IDE and that's also good idea using an old IDE as a guinea pig.
 
Originally posted by: JimPhelpsMI
Hi, Some IDE connectors can be separated without damage. Cut off a cable and reapply the connector. No stripping is needed. A bench vise makes a decent "squeezer" to reapply the connector. Just make sure it latches. I have been makeing flat cables for many years using new parts and salvaged parts. New is safer. Good Luck, Jim
Click to expand...

Hi Jim that is really interesting,i think my next small project will be making custom length IDEs.Thank you.
 
For optimum performance, the IDE cable should be folded like the one at the bottom of the case. The key is to minimize front-to-back cross-sectional area.
 
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