Collection: Cable

Which cable do you actually need?

Most PC builders treat cables as an afterthought, then wonder why their 4K high-refresh monitor is stuck at 60Hz or their fancy new GPU throws a black screen. A cable is a controlled-impedance transmission line, and the differences between tiers are real. They come down to conductor quality, shielding, signal bandwidth and how well the connectors are manufactured.

For display cables, entry-level options cover 1080p or 1440p at standard refresh rates. The sweet spot is a certified HDMI 2.1 Ultra High Speed cable (48Gbps) or a VESA-certified DisplayPort 1.4 cable, which handles 4K at high refresh with Display Stream Compression. Enthusiast territory is DisplayPort 2.1 with UHBR20 support, which offers up to 80Gbps. That only matters if your Monitors and Graphics Cards / GPU both support those link rates. If either end tops out lower, the premium cable is wasted.

Ethernet follows the same logic. Cat5e handles gigabit fine. Cat6 supports 10Gbps over shorter runs, and Cat6a holds 10Gbps to 100 metres thanks to better shielding and crosstalk control. Diminishing returns start quickly. For a home run under 30 metres, Cat6 is the practical ceiling for most people.

Upgrading and technical nuances

The biggest trap today is power cabling. Modern ATX 3.0 and 3.1 supplies use the 12V-2x6 connector, rated for up to 600W through a 16-pin plug with sideband sense pins. The connector is compact, so full insertion and gentle bends matter far more than they did with older 8-pin PCIe plugs. A native 12V-2x6 cable from the PSU maker is the safest choice. Third-party options from CableMod or the big PSU brands are fine if they match your supply's rated output. Adapters with four 8-pin tails work but add bulk and more failure points.

Modular PSU cables are not universal. The pinout on the PSU end differs between brands and sometimes between product lines from the same brand. Using a Corsair RMx cable in a Seasonic Focus, for example, can destroy components. Always buy cables specified for your exact Power Supplies model, or check the ATX Power Supply range for like-for-like replacements. Custom sleeved extension sets are mostly cosmetic. They use similar gauge copper (usually 16 to 18AWG) but add bulk, which can make cable management harder in tight cases.

For storage and peripherals, SATA data cables are all effectively identical at 6Gbps, so a cheap latched cable is fine. USB-C is where things get murky. USB 2.0-only charging cables, 10Gbps USB 3.2 cables, and 40Gbps USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 cables can all look identical. If you are connecting a fast external Solid State Drives (SSD) enclosure or a docking station, a certified 40Gbps cable matters, and passive versions at that speed are usually under a metre.

Internal fan and RGB cabling has its own quirks. PWM splitters let you run multiple fans from one header, but check the header's current rating. Many motherboard fan headers are rated around 1A (12W), so a chain of high-speed Fans, Heatsinks & Cooling products can overload it. A powered fan hub is the better route for more than three fans. Addressable RGB uses 5V 3-pin connectors, while older RGB uses a 12V 4-pin. Plugging one into the other can fry LEDs.

Practical things to check before buying

Length is the first check. A cable that is too short strains connectors, while one that is too long clutters the build. Measure from the PSU shroud to the GPU or motherboard socket, then add a few centimetres for routing. In compact Computer Cases, the side panel clearance behind the motherboard tray decides how much cable bulk you can tolerate. Thick sleeved cables can stop the glass panel from sitting flush.

For 12V-2x6, leave at least 35mm of straight run from the connector before any bend. Right-angle adapters help in tight cases, but only buy quality ones from reputable makers. Push until the clip clicks and there is no visible gap. A partially seated connector is the most common cause of melted plugs.

For display cables, check connector types on both ends. Some monitors have one HDMI 2.1 port and DisplayPort 1.4 ports, and the HDMI port may be the only one supporting a console at 4K120. Passive USB-C to DisplayPort cables work only if the port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode. Long runs over 3 metres often need active or optical cables to keep full bandwidth.

For networking, avoid copper-clad aluminium (CCA) Ethernet cable. It looks the same, but it has higher resistance, fails Power over Ethernet loads, and is more brittle. Look for solid pure copper and proper shielding for runs near power cables. If you are upgrading your home network, pair good cabling with decent Networking gear, such as routers and switches from TP-Link, so the cable is not the bottleneck.

Finally, think about thermal impact. Tidy cable routing improves airflow to your CPU Cooling and intake fans, and a messy bundle in front of a fan can raise GPU temps by a couple of degrees. If you are building a new system, check your Motherboards for header placement before choosing cable lengths.

Brands and local warranty

For internal power cabling, stick with the PSU maker or a trusted aftermarket brand such as CableMod. Corsair, Seasonic, be quiet! and Silverstone all sell model-specific cables. For display and data, Cable Matters, Club3D, Belkin, UGREEN and Accell have a solid track record for certified products. For networking, TP-Link and similar reputable vendors provide tested patch leads and matching hardware.

Australian warranty matters more than most people think. Genuine local stock means the manufacturer's warranty is honoured under Australian Consumer Law, and you are not chasing overseas returns when a cable fails. Cheap grey imports can have counterfeit certification marks, especially on HDMI and USB-C cables. A failed power cable can also damage a much more expensive Computers build, so local support and traceability are worth a few extra dollars. If you want to browse the full range, head to Cables & Connectors.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a special HDMI cable for 4K at 120Hz?

Yes. Look for a cable labelled Ultra High Speed, ideally with the official certification QR label. Older High Speed cables are rated for 18Gbps and often fail at 4K120 with full colour. Your display and source device also need to support HDMI 2.1.

Is DisplayPort better than HDMI for PC gaming?

For most monitors, DisplayPort is the better choice because it generally has stronger support for high refresh rates and adaptive sync on PC. HDMI 2.1 is the better pick for TVs and consoles. Check your monitor's specs, because port capabilities can differ on the same display.

Can I reuse my old PSU cables with a new power supply?

Usually not. Modular PSU-end pinouts are not standardised, even between models from the same brand. Using the wrong cable can damage your parts. Only use cables made for your specific PSU model, or buy a compatible replacement set.

Does a more expensive Ethernet cable make my internet faster?

Not if your connection is slower than the cable's rating. Cat6 is plenty for typical home plans. A better cable only helps if your old one is faulty, too long, or running near interference, and it matters more for 10Gbps LAN transfers.

Are 12V-2x6 cables safe to use with a GPU?

Yes, when properly seated and not bent sharply at the plug. Use a cable rated for your GPU's power draw, push it in fully until it clicks, and avoid cheap unbranded adapters. Native PSU cables are the safest option for current high-power cards.