Are gold plated cables worth it?

[dexter2]

I'm looking into purchasing a few more cables, and it came across my mind, ARE gold plated cables ACTUALLY better than standard ones?

 

[sadams04]

Maybe with an analog signal where less interference or a higher quality cable mattered (think old coax cabling), but you are dealing with a digital signal (right?). It will either get there or it won't. Gold plating will not make difference.

 

[ken h]

They are typically over priced, but they do have one advantage - they oxidize slower than base metal, which means they will maintain a better connection longer.

Unless the cost is close to the same cable without gold plate, they are unnecessary.

 

[Flying Head]

Silver plated conductors are better. And they are better when oxidized.

 

[dexter2]

Maybe with an analog signal where less interference or a higher quality cable mattered (think old coax cabling), but you are dealing with a digital signal (right?). It will either get there or it won't. Gold plating will not make difference.

I mean with any signal, whether it is for keyboard and mouse to monitor signal. Can you get gold plated ethernet cables? With any cable, is it improved performance if it's gold plated?

 

[ken h]

Maybe with an analog signal where less interference or a higher quality cable mattered (think old coax cabling), but you are dealing with a digital signal (right?). It will either get there or it won't. Gold plating will not make difference.

I mean with any signal, whether it is for keyboard and mouse to monitor signal. Can you get gold plated ethernet cables? With any cable, is it improved performance if it's gold plated?

No.

 

[ken h]

Silver plated conductors are better. And they are better when oxidized.

?

First, when you say silver, you mean silver color? There are very, very few cable ends that are plated with real silver. And a silver color cable end is no better or worse than a gold colored one.

Second, oxidation can prevent a good connection. Oxidation on cable ends is bad.