There was a recent discussion about i5 and i7 CPUs performing in games and Hyper Threading "helping" get more FPS.

Let's take a look on HDMI cables this time. There is a rule of thumb for most digital transmissions - either something transmits data 100% correct or it doesn't at all. So before you spend $100 on HDMI cable - read carefully:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20056502-1/why-all-hdmi-cables-are-the-same/

I can say without actually reading your article that I have both an $80 HDMI cable and a $7 HDMI cable. I can't tell the slightest difference in quality with my Blu Ray player and TV. And I am a nut about my HD quality man. The picture quality is identical.

So keep an eye out for the look of the cable. :D
Instead of the old plane white one I got a cool looking ones that have a metal like mesh over it. Very retro. Looks awesome connecting the black DVD, TV, PS3 on a black shelf. :D

I got Duracell 1.4 cables to use for all my HDMI devicxes, only because my old one could handle the extra data from 3D, I just looked for the most reasonable cost cables I could from a company I trusted, and they were £12 for a 3m cable so not bad at all, never had a problem with any of them (got 3 hooked up now).

Buying expensive cables for HDMI is just pointless.

Very interesting article. It seems just a few short years ago I was buying HDMI cables that were 30$ for two feet when they were still new.

Hmm, now those salesmen can't rip me off after reading that article. Thanks for sharing it. =)

Pay $100 for an HDMI cable??? Not in a million years, mate. I wouldn't pay more than $20 for one of those, and now I have an article to back me up, haha!

Yeah, I know that a lot of the really "geek"-y gaming people know this all or nothing style of data transfer that is found in HDMI, but until the general populace knows about this, companies are still going to make millions of cheaply made, but really expensive cables.

I find it a little upsetting that, of all things, my m15x doesn't have a HDMI port. T_T

Apparently I have either a VGA cable port, or a DisplayPort. If I wanna play on my widescreen TV, which of those should I use/invest on? O_o

i go to www.newegg.com to buy my HDMI cables i can buy a 6 foot for $4. its way cheaper on that site

There are some differences in durability. If you are mobile and plug and unplug often, might want a better cable. If you plug in and leave for years, then no big deal. My TV uses the cheapest I could fine for 25 feet.

Something else I've noticed is when I use VGA to play on my TV, the video comes out, but there's no sound (it comes out of my computer, not the TV speakers. Does DisplayPort cables bring out sound trough the tv speakers?

AlexTHVK said: I find it a little upsetting that, of all things, my m15x doesn't have a HDMI port. T_T

Apparently I have either a VGA cable port, or a DisplayPort. If I wanna play on my widescreen TV, which of those should I use/invest on? O_o

Not sure which m15x you have but the one I have (m15x R2 w/GTX460m) has a Display Port which is easily and fully convertible by DP->HDMI converter. I use it to connect 3D projector and external display and it is just great. The DP->HDMI converter came with my machine.

Regarding sound - haven't tried it yet but will check it soon. However there is a tab in my nVidia control panel "Set up digital audio" with Display port status saying "no audio capable display available" which is tru as I'm sitting in my office right now :)

For sure you need to install HD Audio driver when installing GeForce drivers.

Don't easily dismiss more expensive cables. I've had both and I must say, I do see a difference, a slight difference, but a difference nonetheless. Also, the build quality appears to be better and mroe secure when putting in an HDMI port. To me, the build quality is important too. Plus, having gold-plated vs silver is better too. Again, it comes down to build quality. I prefer Monstor HDMI cables, mostly because of the build quality. Also, if you plan on running long distances, like 30 feet and behind walls, you need that higher expensive cable. Also, if you run behind walls, you need an HDMI plenium rated cable. Plus, I have a tendency to unplug and dust off my tv and xbox, ps3, so I will have more disconnects/reconnects, which the Monster cables are good for. I bought the PS3 HDMI cable, didn't like it and returned it. It fitted too lose in the TV. The one my cable company provided wasn't as good either. However, it's a good backup HDMI cable. Just my 2 cents.

Yeah, regarding build quality - if you often plug in and out - it comes handy when cables are better, however for fixed connection - no difference at all.


And regarding "slight differences" - it is very easy to explain why cable quality does not matter in most of digital signal transmission it is because of d0e79273no2ln;o0dqw[0ye....