Basic Cables

Video Cables

Video Graphics Array (VGA). Also called a DB-15 connector is blue. It has only analog signal and can have a length of 5-10 meters.

High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is all digital. It can have up to 20 meters for signal strength. It has a 19 pin connector. Audio and video support.

DisplayPort is digital. Compatible with both HDMI and DVI. Audio and video support,

Digital Visual Interface (DVI). Single (3.7 Gbps) and dual (7.4 Gbps) links, but no audio support. DVI-A is analog only, DVI-D is digital only, and DVI-I is integrated with both.

Hard drive cables

Serial AT Attachment (SATA). This is the main method to connect storage to the motherboard.

• Power: 15 pins

• Data: 7 pins

eSATA has double the distance (2 meters) and the same speed as its version.

Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI). Connects computer parts together and can chain up 16 devices. There are narrow buses (8) and wide buses (16). It has both parallel and serial options.

Serial attached SCSI (SAS) is the most common used today. It has no terminator and is point to point without daisy chains.

Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) or Parallel AT Attachment (PATA). 16 MB/s to 133 MB/s.

Connector Types

RJ11. 6 position, 2 conductor (6P2C). Telephone or DSL connection

RJ45. 8P8C. Modular. Ethernet.

F-Connector. Cable television (cable modem or DOCSIS)

RG-6. Threaded connector.

Molex. 4 pin. Power for computer case items like storage devices, fans, etc.