IDE cables impeding airflow

[starbuck]

Tried to re-cable my sys to get as many cables out of the way as possible. Managed to tie up and tidy the PSU cables. Only problem I have now is getting the IDE cables out of the way.

I have 2 optical drives and 3 hdds(although 1 is SATA so no prob with airflow from that). I've tried to tuck the IDE cable for the hard drives out of the way but only place I could put them would be in spare slot about one if the hard drives but this means it sits on top of the hard drive which is probably not a good idea. I have round IDE cables so have tried to improve airflow by getting rid of the old flat ones.

Any suggestions?

[Nick F]

There is little you can actually do to solve this problem if you have already got rounded IDE cables.

I always try and tidy the inside of my case, once I took everything out and rebuilt it and it still looked the same, I try and tuck as many wires into any empty drive bays etc I have so I can't see them through the window.

[DigiGuru]

I have to agree on that one...

The only other thing I can think of is trying to build some kind of air-ducting system to route the airflow around bits of your case.

Then, at least, you can guarantee it's picking up cooler are from where you want and distributing it to where your hot bits (no funny jokes!) are

Stu

[Akumu]

Have a look at this article on folding ribbon cables:

The Art Of Cable Folding

[rajagra]

Have a look at this article on folding ribbon cables: The Art Of Cable Folding

Cable folding like that does take a lot of time to plan/experiment, but it is worth it. Only thing is I don't like the folds to be too tight (pinched) in case they affect the signal. Those cables on the Tech Zone look like they've been ironed flat! Mind you, they probably still give better signal integrity than rounded cables.

[bbq]

Electrons don't slow down for corners

However, I do agree with you, lately I have had more sytem failures due to dodgey IDE cables than anything else. I think folding is fine, but don't re-fold too often. After all re-folding is how you can tear a credit card!

[rajagra]

Electrons don't slow down for corners

But they do "bounce." Pinched cables cause signal reflections.

[iranu]

Akumu - Do you know if those IDE cables are glued/held down in some way in the article? It doesn't say iirc.

I might practice on some old cr*ppy ones first cos that does look mighty impressive.

[5cupa]

mount your hardrives in backwards to reduce cabling

[Allen]

Akumu - Do you know if those IDE cables are glued/held down in some way in the article? It doesn't say iirc.

Because of the stiffness of ATA133 cable no tape was required to hold the cables in place.

[iranu]

mount your hardrives in backwards to reduce cabling

That's a damn fine idea! Hoorah!!

[Timmy!!!]

That cable folding thing is crazy, how the hell are they that flat!! I dont think they even come that flat.

Does anyone else prefer PATA connections way better than SATA? I have 2 sata hard drives and on both of them the power connector is sooo loose it keeps falling out! Its so annoying

[KnightWhoSaysNi]

SATA connectors are nasty - too easy to break. SATA-2 is supposed to improve on this.

[kalten]

Have a look at this article on folding ribbon cables:

The Art Of Cable Folding

That's a good article, but to be fair you can do much the ame things with rounded cables. To date I had not thought about the signal degredation, I will have a look at my system now I think! I also like the idea of painting the cables, though you would have to use a forgiving paint as with the turns you run the risk of making the system look worse with broken paint lines - you could just get black cables like the ones you get with some M/Bs - Abit and Asus tend to do that.

If your system is SATA then there really is not much need to do anything, but tucking them away - normaly to the backside of the case will take them away from the airflow from the front fans.