Which Sata cables to use?

[ironk]

Is there a difference in quality with cheap generic sata cables on ebay vs brand name ones? Which ones do you use? I like the ones with latches (18in), not sure if I should go with the generic ones though.

 

[mfenn]

Not really, no. I usually spring for latching connectors as well, but there are situations where the latches can be annoying to release, so it's really just a preference thing.

 

[ironk]

I was thinking maybe the cable shielding would be better on the brand name ones or the latches/connectors would be of higher quality...

 

[mfenn]

I was thinking maybe the cable shielding would be better on the brand name ones or the latches/connectors would be of higher quality...

Not in my experience. SATA doesn't really need heavy shielding to work properly and I haven't really ever noticed a difference in the quality of the connector itself.

 

[ironk]

ok, thanks. The prices vary quite a bit, so I was wondering why.

 

[ironk]

Is there a way to tell if a Serial Ata cable is UL listed/certified? I have a few generic cables and they have many markings on them...one of them has the numbers '2725' and the other has '21149'. There is no mention of UL on the jacket itself, but if I google those two numbers with UL in front of them, I see many results. Are they passed by UL?

 

[mfenn]

Is there a way to tell if a Serial Ata cable is UL listed/certified? I have a few generic cables and they have many markings on them...one of them has the numbers '2725' and the other has '21149'. There is no mention of UL on the jacket itself, but if I google those two numbers with UL in front of them, I see many results. Are they passed by UL?

If it doesn't have the symbol or ULXXXX on it, then no. Though they are usually made in the same factory, with the cheaper cables just not wanting to pay extra for the cert.

 

[JackMDS]

The main consideration is whether to use straight or 90 degree end plug.

Look carefully and evaluate what would make more sense according to the components placement.

 

[piasabird]

In my estimation people who sell cables often try to mark them up way too high. This is especially true for retail stores. They are made to a standard and either work or are bad.

 

[Oyeve]

Unless you plan on connecting and reconnecting a lot, get the cheapest costing ones possible.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Is there a way to tell if a Serial Ata cable is UL listed/certified? I have a few generic cables and they have many markings on them...one of them has the numbers '2725' and the other has '21149'. There is no mention of UL on the jacket itself, but if I google those two numbers with UL in front of them, I see many results. Are they passed by UL?

I've never heard of a UL cert for SATA cables. Is this something that I should be concerned about? It's not like they carry any significant amount of power, they're just low-voltage signalling.

UL certification for power supplies, on the other hand, I consider to be crucial.

 

[StrangerGuy]

$1000 99.99% pure silver, Pope-exorcised demon-free SATA cables makes 1s more 1s and 0s more 0s.

Nah, just kidding.

 

[sammykhalifa]

I heard that the red ones go faster.

 

[mfenn]

I heard that the red ones go faster.

It's true... Though yellow is even faster!

 

[JackMDS]

It's true... Though yellow is even faster!

Which one the Light Yellow or the Dark Yellow?

 

[ironk]

lol, ok joking aside, I didn't see UL marking on brand name cables either but they have a number that begins with a "E" so "Exxxxx" and then a UR mark where the R is in reverse. The E number I was able to find on the UL database website, so there is something there I think.

The main consideration is whether to use straight or 90 degree end plug.

Look carefully and evaluate what would make more sense according to the components placement.

thanks for the tip