Rounded vs Ribbon IDE Cables

[bigmck]

My DVD burner is IDE and has the ribbon cable. I read on a couple other sites how the newer rounded cables inproves airflow and makes the case just look better. == I thought I would come here where the smart folks hang out and see if you think I should spend a few bucks and get rounded cables. What kind do you have?

Thanks,

 

[Brink]

Hello Jim,

Sure, if it's not much more, the rounded cables would be easier to work with and give you better airflow.

However, if within budget, you can get SATA DVD burners at some pretty good low prices these days. This would give you much better performance over your current IDE DVD burner.

Newegg.com - sata dvd burner internal

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Area66]

Rounded cables were looking better few years ago. In 2012, I don't think they worth investing in them as the build will look outdated anyway

 

[bigmck]

Hello Jim,

Sure, if it's not much more, the rounded cables would be easier to work with and give you better airflow.

However, if within budget, you can get SATA DVD burners at some pretty good low prices these days. This would give you much better performance over your current IDE DVD burner.

Newegg.com - sata dvd burner internal

Hope this helps,
Shawn

The reason I did not go to that option first is the number of SATA ports on my motherboard. I have not checked yet but I think there are only four. I will soon be getting an SSD so I will have 3 SATA's there. I am not sure if I would need the available one for anything or not. == Thanks for your input.

 

[Dwarf]

In many cases, rounded cables can give slightly better performance than the ribbon type (but only the 80-conductor types). This is because each data wire is matched with (and twisted together with) one of the ground wires, thus shielding it from interference.

Of course, the main advantage is the ease of connecting (the ribbon type can cause problems when trying to fit due to routing and alignment problems, something which is chiefly eliminated by round cables). The other advantage is an improvement in internal airflow, as round cables offer less impedance to air when compared with ribbon cables in the same situation.

 

[pparks1]

With respect to better airflow, I think that when you have 3 or 4 more IDE cables that you are dealing with, the flat cables can impede airflow. However, since most people don't have many IDE cables anymore at all, I don't know if you really gain a ton by switching out a single cable from a flat to a rounded account. It certainly can look better, and lends itself to better looking cable management.