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    Are thicker wires faster?

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by pawn3d, Nov 11, 2009.

  1. pawn3d

    pawn3d Notebook Geek

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    What justifies the price of a Belkin USB cable for $30?

    Are thicker wires faster or just more durable?

    My machead friend once ordered a FireWire cable on eBay and when he got it, said it was too thin to work. Sure enough, it didn't work. :eek:
     
    pawn3d, Nov 11, 2009
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  2. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    There is more than just copper to those cables. Thicker gauge wire is better for longer distances, but there has to be EMI shielding from the environment as well as (sometimes) shielding each wire from other wires in the cable.

    Thicker wires are not faster. Either the signal can get from point to point without being corrupted, or it can not...and sometimes you need a thicker wire.
     
    Greg, Nov 11, 2009
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  3. Amnesiac

    Amnesiac 404

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    Well, Belkin are notoriously for having products pretty much the same as any generic product but for a steeper price, because it's a brand name.
     
    Amnesiac, Nov 11, 2009
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  4. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    It's mostly the brand. But I guess technically, they could be superior to generic cables if they got some kind of special material to protect the wires.

    The signal either travels at the speed of light or doesn't.

    I usually go with whatever is on Craigslist.
     
    surfasb, Nov 11, 2009
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  5. pawn3d

    pawn3d Notebook Geek

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    It's like that for audio wires, although there's a breaking point (30-40 feet?) where latency is inevitable no matter how thick the wire. Same for USB?
     
    pawn3d, Nov 11, 2009
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  6. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Yes, I think maybe around 50 feet?
     
    Greg, Nov 11, 2009
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  7. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    A usb cable of only a few feet wont see any difference in speed based on its thickness.

    The reason it cost $30 is simply because of the brand and where your buying it from, if you want an equal quality cable for a lot lower price go do some shopping at monoprice.com
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Nov 11, 2009
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  8. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    Network cables are good up to 100m. There aren't going to be latency issues though.
     
    surfasb, Nov 11, 2009
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  9. pawn3d

    pawn3d Notebook Geek

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    You'e right about that. What even more interesting is how Roland is now using network cables in their new digital snakes.
     
    pawn3d, Nov 11, 2009
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