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Cable Length Questions with regards to gaming

post #1 of 7
2/21/12 at 1:20pm
Thread Starter 
Anyone familiar with the max lengths of pc and peripheral cords with regards to maintaining max speed (no lag or loss of quality)? No lag or delay is a priority since I mostly play FPS games.

I'm thinking about flush mounting my monitor on a wall above a desk with a keyboard and mouse in my formal living room/study. Then running all cords to my computer in my media closet. The length including wall drops is approx 30-40ft (20ft attic run plus 2 wall drops).

Cords needed are:
-DVI or HDMI for monitor
-3 USBs for keyboard, mouse, and powered headset
-4 RCA cables for 5.1 headset with mic
-CAT5 cable for internet.

Any info or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
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post #2 of 7
2/21/12 at 2:15pm
At 40ft:

- DVI/HDMI not an issue
- RCAs - not an issue (although be careful about not creating a ground loop and/or hum)
- CAT5 obviously not an issue

Now USB....max length without some kind of add-on is ~15ft. With addons, it can go up to 330ft, but whether that will introduce "lag" or not is debatable. The only way to know will be try it.
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post #3 of 7
2/21/12 at 4:42pm
For USB you would run 1 cable that is an active repeater and put a hub at the end. I don't think the 4 nanoseconds will get you shot (but makes a good excuse!). USB Extenders towards the bottom.
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post #4 of 7
2/22/12 at 7:45pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the great info.

I don't know why I put CAT5 in there since it will be run to the PC, not the desk.

What are the pro's and con's of running 1 USB repeater to a hub at the desk vs running 4-5 USB wires?
I'm concerned about bandwidth if I have mouse, keyboard, powered headset and possibly my iPhone or Ipad hooked up.

Also, would it be smarter to go with HDMI over DVI since it has a farther reported reach?
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post #5 of 7
2/23/12 at 5:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lcourage View Post

Thanks for the great info.

I don't know why I put CAT5 in there since it will be run to the PC, not the desk.

What are the pro's and con's of running 1 USB repeater to a hub at the desk vs running 4-5 USB wires?
I'm concerned about bandwidth if I have mouse, keyboard, powered headset and possibly my iPhone or Ipad hooked up.

Also, would it be smarter to go with HDMI over DVI since it has a farther reported reach?

I've not tried it for gaming, but the link that TheTinkerer posted has a dual-port 16 ft active extender that has worked well for me. This would allow you to have 4 ports with just two cables. The fewer the cables you need to run, the better for your $ and sanity. Of course, you would need longer cables.

I'm also using a 75' HDMI cable from the same company. PQ is great. If you go the route of a fat HDMI cable, "port savers" are helpful:
Port Saver

Is it possible to run the cable through the floor (via basement)? That would save you a few feet.
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post #6 of 7
2/23/12 at 12:40pm
For USB you just need to be sure to get a powered hub and USB extender for runs longer than 15', you won't have any problem with bandwidth for the devices you listed with just a single USB cable. I've got a KB, Mouse, iPod Shuffle, Sansa Clip+, Nook Color, and Sony digital camera all plugged in right now without issue.

My USB cable is only 15' so i'm not using an extender, but the hub i'm using is a CablesToGo 7-port one that has a removable metal base with 2 screw holes making it easy to attach to a wall or furniture:
http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-Port.../dp/B000IZDN60
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post #7 of 7
2/23/12 at 7:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lcourage View Post

Anyone familiar with the max lengths of pc and peripheral cords with regards to maintaining max speed (no lag or loss of quality)? No lag or delay is a priority since I mostly play FPS games.
..
Any info or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Well, if you had a 186,000 MILE long cable (give or take) there would be a full second delay. So I wouldn't worry about length causing a delay.
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