Question about IDE cables

[Pilgrim]

A few years back, all non-HDD IDE devices used a 40-wire cable. Has that changed with these new techo-wizard DVD Combo drives? Do they now require or is it recommended to now use a 80-wire cable with them?

Oh, one other quick question too, re: audio cables. Most of the time I buy the OEM version of DVD/CD drives which don't come with one of those audio cables. Is it necessary to have one of these connected to the mb for each drive to be able to have sound?

THANKS!

[DrageMester]

For some drives an 80-wire cable is merely recommended and for others it's mandatory.

You don't need an ausio cable anymore - just make sure that "Enable digital audio..." is enabled for the drive and that you use digital playback in your audio playing programs (instead of analog playback).

I think digital audio playback is the default setting these days.

[Pilgrim]

For some drives an 80-wire cable is merely recommended and for others it's mandatory.

Thanks.... but your answer begs the question, "How can you tell which drives NEED a 80-wire cable?" . . . especially if the drive was an OEM version and has no documentation.

[CowboySlim]

80 wire cables are required for higher rates of data transfer.
Back when CD-Rs were like 16x 4x 16x, 40s were sufficient.
80s are backward compatible, so don't worry over it and just get 80s.

40s are so 90-ish anyways, may not be available anymore.

[hoxlund]

theres no reason not to use a 80 conductor wire ide cable

can you buy 40 pin cables anymore?

and yes don't bother with the audio cable, not needed, i still giggle when i see a custom built computer come into the geek squad using one of those