There are a number of different cables commonly seen in the world of personal computers today, although many of these cable types have been designed to replace a number of other cables that were previously used. While you might already know basic cable types, such as the monitor cable, if you plan on setting up your first computer, or if you are trying to troubleshoot a problem with your computer, then you may want to take a moment to learn some of the basic information regarding the differences between cables. Here, we'll go over some of the common types of cables used in personal computers and their related devices.
The USB cable is one of the most commonly seen cables today, not only in personal computers, but in a number of other applications as well. It was originally developed for use with personal computers and was intended to replace several other types of cables, giving it its name: the universal serial bus cable. This means that it can be used with a number of different individual devices, such as keyboards, mice, cameras, and so on. The USB port is rectangular in shape, and has a flat prong on one half of the port and a hole in the other. There are a few variations on USB speed, the first generation was USB1, this was replaced with USB 1.1 then USB 2 known as High Speed USB which worked at speeds upto 480 MBPS. The latest incarnation is USB 3 which is known as Super Speed and operates upto 4.8 GBPS.
A network cable (also known as Ethnernet cable) is used most frequently in internet connectivity. These cables tend to have clear plastic heads that allow one to see the ends of the cables inside. They are also unique in that they have copper connections on the bottom of the head, which are designed to line up with copper connections on the input port. These cables also have a plastic tab on the top that locks them in place, so that they do not slip out. The tab can be depressed in order to remove the cable. The most common speed for a Ethernet cables is 100 MBPS over cat5e cabling. Newer Gigabit networks use cat6 cabling which runs at speed upto 1000 MBPS.
The HDMI cable is similar to monitor cables in that it is used to transfer video, but the similarity ends there. HDMI cables carry high definition video signals which display the image in higher resolutions such as 1920 x 1080 pixels and they can also transmit audio information as well. The ends of these cables are shaped like trapezoids, with very small square holes lining the top and bottom, each of which houses a small pin. When buying HDMI leads it's a good idea to opt for gold plated cables as these increase connectivity and reduce oxidisation.
The USB cable is one of the most commonly seen cables today, not only in personal computers, but in a number of other applications as well. It was originally developed for use with personal computers and was intended to replace several other types of cables, giving it its name: the universal serial bus cable. This means that it can be used with a number of different individual devices, such as keyboards, mice, cameras, and so on. The USB port is rectangular in shape, and has a flat prong on one half of the port and a hole in the other. There are a few variations on USB speed, the first generation was USB1, this was replaced with USB 1.1 then USB 2 known as High Speed USB which worked at speeds upto 480 MBPS. The latest incarnation is USB 3 which is known as Super Speed and operates upto 4.8 GBPS.
A network cable (also known as Ethnernet cable) is used most frequently in internet connectivity. These cables tend to have clear plastic heads that allow one to see the ends of the cables inside. They are also unique in that they have copper connections on the bottom of the head, which are designed to line up with copper connections on the input port. These cables also have a plastic tab on the top that locks them in place, so that they do not slip out. The tab can be depressed in order to remove the cable. The most common speed for a Ethernet cables is 100 MBPS over cat5e cabling. Newer Gigabit networks use cat6 cabling which runs at speed upto 1000 MBPS.
The HDMI cable is similar to monitor cables in that it is used to transfer video, but the similarity ends there. HDMI cables carry high definition video signals which display the image in higher resolutions such as 1920 x 1080 pixels and they can also transmit audio information as well. The ends of these cables are shaped like trapezoids, with very small square holes lining the top and bottom, each of which houses a small pin. When buying HDMI leads it's a good idea to opt for gold plated cables as these increase connectivity and reduce oxidisation.
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