Rounding cables!! Should I? Shouldn't I?

[smp]

Has anyone done this? Ultra 66 and 100 cables have double the amount of wires as do 33, but they still only use 40 of these.. the ones inbetween are there to soak up any interference. (at least that's what I was lead to believe).. So, if I round out the cables, would I be creating some interference? or destabilizing the cables? I just want to know how many ppl have done this, and if they are satisfied with the results. I got this cool cable tube stuff (bright orange-oh jebus!) from the local surplus store, I could use that to wrap around, after using the plastic ties. I also picked up some 80mm and 120mm fans from them too. The 80mm blow lot's of air (I don't know exactly how many cfms or anything, but it feels comparable to a sunon running on 12V) and the 120mm is kind of a let down, they don't feel very powerful. I paid 4 bucks CDN for the 80mm and 9.oo for the 120.. Sunons? Panafleo's (sp?)??? Fancy nancy stuff!!!! I got me some..... what are they?.... SUPERREDS!!! (cough, no name, cough) Anyways.. sorry bout that.. but yeah, if anyone knows aboot the original cable rounding question.. please let me know, thanks.

 

[ManBOO YA]

just fold the cables in a W shape and tie them up with cable ties

 

[smp]

hahaha.. yeah I read "the lazy mans case mod" at thetechzone too.. It doesn't matter wether I cut em, or wether I fold em.. I just want to know if it causes interference between all the wires..

 

[sparkle]

didn't cause interference for me. if you can risk the cables give it a shot.

 

[ericd]

I have rounded about 5 ata 66 cables and at least 10 ata 33 cables and have not had any problems yet, well except that first cable that I sliced because I didn't have my method refined yet. If you want to see how I do it you can look here.

Eric

 

[WishMaster]

I really like mine. they look cool and make ur case look alot neater

 

[Viperoni]

An article to check out

 

[Dan]

smp: go for it! I've rounded several ATA-33 without mishap. However, after slicing through a couple of ATA-66 cables I just fold those and use cable ties. Once they're in the case you really can't tell the difference between sliced and folded ones.

I've haven't had any problems with interference and it really does make your case interior look much neater and "cleaner." Further, it helps with air circulation and that's a good thing.

 

[Basilisk]

Increasing crosstalk, you're reducing the signal to noise ratio on your signal wires, a minor form of gambling. If the ATA-66 designers didn't see problems in this they wouldn't have designed new cables with ground wires separating the signal wires. Depending on circumstances, slice-and-wrap will usually work. If that's good enough for you, do it.

I don't know the variables my cables will face over time -- reduced driver output from disks, PS noise, anything else -- but I'm willing to believe the designers looked at worst-case scenarios when they mandated the ground-wires, and I know my life's filled with worst-case events!

I'd consider doing it with older ATA-33 drives/controllers , but my personal choice is to not cut corners on the ata-66/-100 ones.

I've done that with Floppy cables where I haven't a qualm.

 

[DonS]

This is kind of a tangent but upon examining the new cables that came with my scsi card the u160 cable (still a flat cable) has the pairs twisted between the connectors. They are pretty cool looking to say the least although it would be cooler if they were round

 

[TechFool]

Dude! just cut and round them. If you slice one open wrap it with electrical tape and you will be fine.... Go for it....

 

[smp]

Thanks all. I've had some practice, and my technique is refined (I sliced through some old, unused 33 cables) I ain't too worried about the physical aspect of actually cutting through, I think I'll be okay for that... just the crosstalk.. but I guess I don't have to worry... besides.. this genius that I know (yes, he's actually a genius) told me that rounding them out would actually BETTER the performance, and decrease the interference.. huh! So I'm good to go.. just finished making two nice 80mm holes in my case panel, have my fanbus prototype all worked out.... (don't know if I'm gonna use it though).. nice high intensity LED's to shine out the fans.. buddy is going to some auto show thing tonight... he's checkin for some dynamat for me too.. gotta keep these no-name fans under control.. at least a little bit.. Don't want to go crazy down there in my basement.. mmmm.. modifying cases is sooooooo fun..