SATA 3.0 (6Gbps) Cables - What's the Deal?

[DanishDevil]

I've heard many reviewers state that there is no difference between a SATA 2.0 cable and a SATA 3.0 cable other than the marking on them. I have heard others say that there are differences. I'd definitely like a definitive answer on this.

Found this from SATA-Irg:

SATA 6Gb/s Cabling
The same cables and connectors used for current SATA implementations can be
used to connect SATA 6Gb/s devices. SATA-IO recommends utilizing quality
components to ensure data integrity and robust operation at the fast 6Gb/s transfer rate.
Cables already at the threshold of 3Gb/s operating margins may experience lower
performance than expected at 6Gb/s due to an increased number of resends.
The SATA Revision 3.0 spec addresses this issue by defining the Compliance
Interconnect Channel (CIC). The CIC is outlined as a mathematical model of a
compliant channel as well as an insertion/return loss plot defining the most extreme
losses the system can sustain and still be compliant. Note that the CIC does not specify
the components to be used in a system but rather the overall performance and quality
the system must exhibit.
Cable vendors will want to consider removing any question of quality by marking
their packaging to explicitly state a product's 6Gb/s CIC compliance. Vendors can also
have their cables added to the Integrators List on the SATA-IO web site. End-users, for
their part, will want to consult the Integrators List – this list is available to the public –
before buying new cabling.

They definitely mention that SATA 2.0 cables may not live up to SATA 3.0 drives, but there doesn't seem to be a set standard for the cabling, at least in that document. Is there any other information out there?

 

[cadaveca]

Shielding and how it's shielded and actual wire construction is the big issue.

 

[erocker]

Shielding and how it's shielded and actual wire construction is the big issue.

Indeed, if you put the two cables side by side there is a difference. It seems with a Sata 6gbps cable that it is split in two lengthwise. What it actually means in terms of how it works I have no idea.

 

[cadaveca]

Yeah, I'm not sure, exactly why, but 6 Gb/s cabling is a bit thicker than SATA2.


That said, most users do not even ahve devices that should notice any real differences, unless teh cables are real garbage, but I thikn this may actualyl end up playing a role specifically with SSD speed, as SSD's reach over 500 Mb/s.