Rounded IDE cables: difference in quality?

[Kraid2xd]

I just bought a rounded ATA133 cable from bestbyte.net, and I noticed that the rubber connector guards kept slipping when I was bending them around my case, exposing the wires... Are all rounded cables like this, or did I just buy the crappy kind? Also, rounded cables are a bitch to bend around... not as flexible and foldable as IDE ribbons... is this the tradeoff for better airflow, or is it just bad quality?

 

[kjwise]

I just round my own cables with a little bit of help from Mr. Duct Tape

 

[nihil]

there was a thread about this about 2 weeks ago or so. there's also articles on this out there somewhere. but to some it up there are very very slight differences in quality. but they're not noticeable to humans.

 

[Jeff7]

I prefer the factory rounded ones that use twisted pair - less chance of crosstalk.

 

[mandrake88]

i make my own rounded cables by using 3/8" wire conduit bought from auto parts store.

 

[Bovinicus]

I find the $8 or so is a small price to pay for the space it frees up in the case. It makes the task of changing things inside the computer a much less arduous one.

 

[rickn]

Really all depends on the size of your case. For my case, they'd be all fluff. I have my cables folded and tied down with tiebacks so they don't impede airflow

 

[Dan]

I've yet to see any loss of data integrity due to rounded cables and I'lve used a lot of them. (Ones I've made and fancy store bought ones.)

However, when it comes to making your case interior look cleaner and neater, I think a good folding job with flat cables is a superior approach. However, as rickn noted, it really all depends on the size of your case. If you don't have enough real estate, no amount of rounding, folding, bending, spindling or mutilating helps much.

 

[Conroy9]

so is there a recommended source for rounded cables, or should i just get the cheapest i can find?
it seems that some of them take up less space than others..

 

[CTho9305]

I use a knife and 3 zip ties per cable. cut in pairs, then it bends really easily, doesn't block airflow, and you still get the grounds next to each wire (if that even matters).

 

[rarebear]

They all come apart like that and roll apart..
I did get a very expensive set that have all but one go bad ..
so keep and eye on the ones you have..

(drive will not show up on reboots)