Cables

The internal workings of a computer, like most technology, need wires and cables to work. These cables are used, for the different PC Peripherals, to talk to each other through. Some other cables are also used outside the main base of a computer to do other various jobs.

Somes cables are used to transfer data information from a Hard Disk drive to the Motherboard, to transfer data from the CD/DVD ROM drives to the Motherboard and some others are to transfer power from the Power Supply Unit to different peripherals that computer needs to work.

Below are some examples of different cables you may find in a PC unit.

IDE Cable

IDE stands for Integrated Drive Electronics. This cable will pass information between the computers drives, this being a Hard Disk drive or CD/DVD ROM drive for example, and a Motherboard. Most computers use IDE as standard within the machines.

Network Cable

Network cables can come in all shapes and sizes but all should do the same basic job, connect computers together.

If you wish to have computers linked together to share any type of information, you may need network cabling installed. These cables plug into your network port (socket) on the back of your computer (assuming you have one installed).

USB Cable

USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. These cables can also come in different shapes and sizes. One end of this cable is usually large in size, as seen to the left, and the other end can vary in size depending on what it may plug into.

These cables are used for various devices. Digial Cameras/Camcorders, MP3 Players, Printers, Scanners and much more.

Floppy Cable

A Floppy cable is very similar to an IDE cable, in description and first glance, however, it is very different. The floppy cable has smaller connector ends than an IDE cable.

This cable is used to connect the Floppy Drive, which uses the 3.5" Floppy Disks, to the Motherboard.

SATA Cable

SATA stands for Serial Advanced Technology Attachment.

This cable is used to connect Hard Disk Drives that use the technology of SATA. These cables can be also used for Hard Disk Drives that are SATA II (sata2) compliant.

Internal Power Splitter

An Internal Power splitter connects to the PSU (power supply unit) giving it the ability to power two different peripherals rather than one.