Types Of Cables- Used in Computers

There are many cables are using in to a Computer System..Its Confusing to identify each-others.
Here u got information about some of the most frequently used cables.

So in this post I will try to provide you with a short description of these Cables.

1. USB :
USB stands for Universal Serial Bus.

• Today it is the most popular standard for connecting various peripheral devices to a computer.

• Using USB port you can easily connect almost everything devices to your computer.

•  There are 3 versions of USB.

USB 1.0/1.1 – offers data transfer speeds up to 12Mbit / s and  uses four wires (2 for data and 2 for power supply)


USB 2.0 – This is the most commonly used version of this type of interface. It provides higher speed data transfer rates(480 Mbit / s) and compatibility with older versions of USB. (e.g.USB 1.0)


USB 3.0 – provides max. data transfer speed up to 4.8 Gbit / s (600 MB / s theoretical speed) and backward compatibility with previous versions.

2. VGA :

• VGA stands for Video Graphics Array.

• VGA interface was created in the late 1980′s and until now remains a standard way for connection between a computer and monitor.
• Today, however, it is almost replaced by the digital interface DVI.
• VGA consists of 15 contacts arranged in three rows, each of which corresponds to three separate channels – red, green and blue. 

• Although almost all Video or Graphics cards on the market are equipped with VGA and DVI ports.
• TV-Tuner cards also have one or more VGA ports. 

3. SATA :

• SATA stands for Serial Advanced Technology Attachment.

• SATA cables are designed to replace the older ATA cables used for connection of storage devices.

• Since SATA have higher data transfer speeds, almost all modern desktop motherboards have integrated SATA host adapters.

• Each SATA cable has two 8-pin connectors (one on each end) and connects one motherboard socket to one hard drive.
• Unlike IDE (PATA), the same SATA connectors are used on both 3.5" SATA drives (used in desktop and server computers) and 2.5" drives (for portable computers).
• Note: Do not Fold the SATA cable into 90-degree angle. Otherwise, data loss may occur during transmission of Important data.

4. IDE (PATA):

• PATA stands for Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment.
• Parallel ATA (PATA) cables are used for the connection of storage devices such as hard disks, solid-state drives,
• The ATA interface itself evolved in several stages from Western Digital's original Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) interface.
• So it is Called as IDE cable.
• Each connector has 40 pins (44 pins for the smaller form-factor version used for 2.5″ drives).
• Note : If two drives are attached to a single cable, one must be configured as Master and the other as Slave by the help of Jumpers.

5. DVI :

• DVI stands for Digital Visual Interface.
• This is the successor of VGA designed to provide very high visual quality to digital display devices such as LCD computer displays.
• It allows you to transmit digital signals between the video source and display using a digital protocol in which the desired illumination of pixels is transmitted as binary data.

•  There are 3 types of DVI connectors :

1. DVI-A: It used to transmit analog signals (compatible with VGA) to an analog display, such as a CRT monitor or budget LCD.

2. DVI-D: It can transmit only digital signals. It provides direct digital connection between any digital video source (such as PC video card) and digital LCD monitor.

3. DVI-I: It can work with both types of signals (DVI-A and DVI-D). DVI-I cables are capable to transmit either a digital-to-digital signal or an analog-to-analog signals.

6. HDMI :

• HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface.
• It is used for transmission of high-definition video between digital video sources (like PC graphic card or Blue ray player) and digital LCD monitors.
• HDMI provides the transmission of DVI video signals and audio signals simultaneously. HDMI is backward-compatible with DVI digital video (but only with DVI-D or DVI-I not DVI-A) used on modern computer monitors and graphics cards.
• There are 4 types of HDMI connectors:

1. Type A: This is the most popular type. The male connector outside dimensions are 13.9 mm x 4.45 mm and has 19 pins. It is also electrically compatible with single-link DVI-D.

2. Type B: This connector dimensions are 21.2 mm x 4.45 mm (it has 29 pins). Type B is electrically compatible with dual-link DVI-D
3. Type C: It is Mini connector intended for portable devices (10.42 mm x 2.42 mm) with 19 pins. Type C is used mostly for connecting digital cameras and camcorders.
4. Type D: A Micro connector with 19 pins and dimensions (2.8 mm x 6.4 mm) resembling a micro-USB connector.

7.RJ 45 :

• RJ 45 stands for Registered Jack 45 Connector.
• RJ 45 cables are used to connect computers to local area networks (LAN).
• There are 2 basic types of RJ 45 cables – Straight-trough and Crossover.
• A Straight-trough cable is required to connect a computer to hub/switch, while if you want to connect two computers directly you will need a Crossover cable.
• It is used for connection of a high-speed modem to a telephone network using a keyed 8P8C modular connector.
• There are many standard designs for these connectors and their wiring are named RJ11, RJ14, RJ21, RJ48, etc.

Thank You...!