Quick IDE cable question (newbie)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gabagimpy
  • Start date Start date
G

Gabagimpy

I'm going to buy a retail Shuttle AN35N-Ultra motherboard. The box comes
with 1 FDD cable (which I assume is floppy drive) and 1 HDD cable capable of
supporting 2 devices.

My PC will have an ATA-100 Hard Drive and a Lite-On (LTC48161H) CD-RW/DVD
drive (I'm not sure what it's ATA is [or if it even has one].)

My question: Is it better to connect 2 devices to 1 IDE cable, or should
they each have their own individual cable? Also, does anyone know the ATA
of the HDD cable that's bundled with the motherboard? If its 66, should I
buy a 100?

Thanks for your time.
 
Gabagimpy said:
I'm going to buy a retail Shuttle AN35N-Ultra motherboard. The box comes
with 1 FDD cable (which I assume is floppy drive) and 1 HDD cable capable of
supporting 2 devices.

My PC will have an ATA-100 Hard Drive and a Lite-On (LTC48161H) CD-RW/DVD
drive (I'm not sure what it's ATA is [or if it even has one].)

My question: Is it better to connect 2 devices to 1 IDE cable, or should
they each have their own individual cable? Also, does anyone know the ATA
of the HDD cable that's bundled with the motherboard? If its 66, should I
buy a 100?

Thanks for your time.
Click to expand...

It would be better to set up your two IDE devices on separate IDE channels
and for this you will need 2 separate IDE cables. The HDD and CD Writer can
then be set up as primary and secondary master respectively. Or you can use
cable select.

You CAN set up both devices on the primary IDE channel, for which you will
need only one cable, but you may not achieve optimal performance in all
situations.

There are two different types of IDE cable, those which support UDMA 33
(which will be suitable for your CD Writer) and those which support UDMA 66,
100 & 133 which will support your HDD. The cable which is supplied with your
motherboard will almost certainly support the faster standard; you can tell
by looking for a coloured connector and opposed to the usual grey.
 
Since I have to buy another cable, have you had any experience with those
round cables with the pull tabs?
 
The round cables work just swell. They allow for better air flow in your
case which is a good thing. The only real issues I have seen with round
cables is that they are not as forgiving sometimes with repeated putting on
and taking off of them from your devices, especially if you don't use the
pull tab to take them off. In other words install the round cable and try to
leave it alone as much as possible and you will be fine.

Regards, Bob "hopelessly insane machine warrior" Troll
 
Gabagimpy said:
The humor in this group is staggering, but I think you know what I mean
Click to expand...
;->.

I guess. Perhaps the seasonal frivolity got the better of me? You can use
longer cables but generally it is better practice to use as short a cable as
possible. Longer cables may inhibit airflow in the case which is perhaps why
the round cables are better. But as Bob Troll has pointed out, it is easier
to destroy a round cable than a ribbon.......
 
Back
Top