Is it worth buying an expensive HDMI cable??

[HENNESSEY]

I've done research and yet still get Yes and No. I'm building a new PC and debating on spending $10 for an Amazon 18 gbps cable or $100 for the Monster 27 gbps cable... Any suggestions? I'm sure the monster is insulated way better, therefore should perform better, but inside they're all the same?

 

[The_Staplergun]

As long as the HDMI cable is an HDMI cable, it all pushes the same data. Just make sure it's hdcp 2.2 compliant and you're fine. All that other garbage is sales pitches.

A wire-thin cable from best buy that's HDCP 2.2 compliant is just as good as a 3000 platinum lined 3 foot long gold core cable (don't even know if that's real). Obviously one's more conductive than the other, but for HDMI, it doesn't matter.

For reference, this 6 foot cable from best buy would work as well as any:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-6-4k-ultrahd-hdmi-cable-black/4127007.p?skuId=4127007

 

[Emanuel Elmo]

I've done research and yet still get Yes and No. I'm building a new PC and debating on spending $10 for an Amazon 18 gbps cable or $100 for the Monster 27 gbps cable... Any suggestions? I'm sure the monster is insulated way better, therefore should perform better, but inside they're all the same?

monoprice for any type of cables is your best friend. You will find exactly what you need and for a extremely reasonable price.

IE: 6ft HDMI cable with latest certification $4.49. Don't need 6ft and only 3ft, only $3.99

 

[Deniedstingray]

All HDMI cables are built to a standard. The only difference between a 1000 dollar cable and a 5 dollar cable is the logo on it.

 

[USAFRet]

The $100 dollar Monster cable has two benefits.

It makes their bottom line larger, and it allows you to sleep better knowing that you did your part in keeping their advertising department employed.

Buy the Amazon one. Or even cheaper at Monoprice.

 

[boosted1g]

In the analog days the thicker gauge the wire and any outside sheilding it has the better it will be.
With analog cables it is sending a frequency so any interference would alter the data being sent through the cable.
With digital signals (Hdmi, ethernet, USB, etc) the binary on/off data will reach the target at the same quality whether it is a $5 or $100 cable.

The only thing you need to avoid is the $2 cable that did not build it to specification.

 

[Solandri]

A wire-thin cable from best buy that's HDCP 2.2 compliant is just as good as a 3000 platinum lined 3 foot long gold core cable (don't even know if that's real). Obviously one's more conductive than the other, but for HDMI, it doesn't matter.

Gold actually has more resistance than copper. So the cheaper copper cable will conduct better. For 3 ft it won't matter, but a (say) 30 ft HDMI cable made of copper will perform better than one made of gold. (Less chance of a dropout in marginal cases.)

The only reason to use gold is to plate the contacts. Since gold doesn't corrode, the contacts will always be pure metal, instead of some form of copper oxide which doesn't conduct as well.

 

[The_Staplergun]

Even so still irrelevant except over exceptional distances.

 

[USAFRet]

The one thing a slightly more expensive cable might get you is better constructed ends. Less likely to break from repeated connecting.

But Monster cables? No....just don't.

 

[HENNESSEY]

Thank you all.