When is 80-conductor cable needed?

[sdlomi2]

This may be old--must be, as I could not find clear references to
it--when is the 80-conductor ide-cable needed? Seems like we were
converting to them some years ago, but I continue to see factory-built
systems coming through with 40-conductor cables? Thanks for all help. s

 

[JS]

The 80 conductor cable is needed for the high speed Parallel ATA (PATA)
drives that support Ultra DMA transfer modes and have been around for a good
number of years. 40 conductor cables are for older and slower drives that
run in what is called PIO mode.

For more info see: http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/if/ide/confCable80-c.html

JS

 

[Justin Brown - SYNACS]

You need an 80C cable to use ATA/66 or greater bus speeds. Optical
drives operate at ATA/33 (33 MB/s theoretical throughput) and thus have
no need for the newer 80 conductor design. My guess is 80C cables are
cheaper so you won't see much of the 40 conductor cables in the future.

More info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Technology_Attachment#Parallel_ATA_interface

 

[sdlomi2]

You need an 80C cable to use ATA/66 or greater bus speeds. Optical
drives operate at ATA/33 (33 MB/s theoretical throughput) and thus have
no need for the newer 80 conductor design. My guess is 80C cables are
cheaper so you won't see much of the 40 conductor cables in the future.

More info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Technology_Attachment#Parallel_ATA_interface

Thanks to both. I have learned some new info that is valuable. Also,
some pre-conceived ideas were confirmed. I DID say "some".! Thx again, s

 

[JS]

Your Welcome!

JS

Thanks to both. I have learned some new info that is valuable. Also,
some pre-conceived ideas were confirmed. I DID say "some".! Thx again, s

 

[paulmd]

This may be old--must be, as I could not find clear references to
it--when is the 80-conductor ide-cable needed? Seems like we were
converting to them some years ago, but I continue to see factory-built
systems coming through with 40-conductor cables? Thanks for all help. s

With any drive that supports more than ultra 33 mode. I use them on
hard drives beyond 8gb.
Also on high speed cd burners and dvd drives.


Zip drives don't need them, and neither do ordinary cds.

If new factory computers are using them on new hard drives, there's an
issue at the factory.

 

[Chuck]

It may be that the "factory" is forcing a lower speed of data transfer for
some reason.

"If new factory computers are using them on new hard drives, there's an
issue at the factory."

 

[paulmd]

It may be that the "factory" is forcing a lower speed of data transfer for
some reason.

Instead of fixing the actual issue. THAT's a problem.

 

[Jonny]

This may be old--must be, as I could not find clear references to
it--when is the 80-conductor ide-cable needed? Seems like we were
converting to them some years ago, but I continue to see factory-built
systems coming through with 40-conductor cables? Thanks for all help. s

When: the device is over ATA/ultradma 33 speed, OR, when the internal
electronics within the PC case create enough RF noise to interfere with ide
communications on a 40 wire ribbon cable. The latter is much more difficult
to determine in some situations. The safe thing, and smart thing to do is
use an 80 wire ribbon cable always.

The RF emanations regarding FCC regulations (except for the power supply)
are for what may emanate outside the PC case, not inside it. The higher
frequency of todays PC electronic components are much faster, creating RF
range noise.