A riser cable is essentially a cable that allows you to extend the PCIe port. This is great for installing multiple pieces of hardware in a cramped space. But more importantly, if you plan to mount your GPU vertically inside your PC cabinet, you need a PCIe riser cable. But with so many options to choose from, what are some of the best PCIe 4.0 riser cables out there?
Not all PCIe riser cables are created equal, and choosing the wrong one can lead to performance issues or hardware damage. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best PCIe 4.0 riser cables available on the market and help you select the optimal one for your requirements.
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1. ASIAHORSE Shielded Extreme
- Length: 207mm
- Angle: 90-degree, 180-degree
- Warranty: 1-year
In terms of length, you get the standard 207mm length. However, as for the connector, you can choose whether you want a right-angled connector or a straight-up PCIe extender. As such, you can easily reach and install your graphics card, regardless of its orientation. You can also choose between a white or black color variant to match your setup.
Moving on to shielding, there’s individual shielding for each of the 48 inner cables, protecting against external interference. It also helps prevent cross-talk between them. Additionally, using a copper core for all the cables ensures a clear transmission and maximum speed.
2. EZDIY-FAB
- Length: 200mm, 300mm
- Angle: 90-degree
- Warranty: 1-year
Available in both black and white color options, you can purchase the EZDIY-FAB riser cable in either a 200mm or a longer 300mm length option. However, you only get a right-angled connector option here, so there’s that. The cable itself is quite flexible too.
Similar to ASIAHORSE, the EZDIY-FAB riser cable comes with shielding for each of the 48 inner cables. It also comes with a lock catch for a better hold on to your GPU. That being said, customers have reported it to feel a bit cheap, while others complained that it breaks very easily. Nonetheless, for vertical mounts, this shouldn’t be an issue.
3. LINKUP Shielded Riser Cable
- Length: 50mm, 100mm, 150mm, 200mm, 250mm, 300mm, 600mm, 700mm, 800mm
- Angle: 90-degree, 180-degree
- Warranty: 1-year
The LINKUP Ultra PCIe 4.0 riser cable is compatible with all the latest graphics cards out there while assuring maximum speeds. In fact, the brand boasts over 64GB/s bi-directional speeds over the PCIe 4.0 channel. Furthermore, the cable’s low latency and high-speed transmission capabilities make it ideal for gaming and other high-performance applications.
It has all the shielding, similar to the other options on this list. The cable is also flexible and can be adjusted to fit any build, which is particularly useful for builds with limited space. LINKUP might not be a big name in the gaming scene per se, but it is undoubtedly one of the most reliable options for PCIe riser cables. With a 4.5-star rating on Amazon, it’s easily one of the best PCIe 4.0 riser cables out there.
4. LIAN LI PW-PCI-420
- Length: 200mm or 600mm
- Angle: 90-degree
- Warranty: 1-year
Speaking of aesthetics, this is by far the cleanest-looking PCIe 4.0 riser cable out there. You can select the cable in either black or white color to match the look of your rig. Once installed, it looks and feels premium, and adds elegance to your setup.
In terms of performance, customers love the fact that there’s no drop in transmission speeds. The cable itself is quite flexible as well. That being said, reviews have highlighted that the plastic shielding around the connector is a bit too weak. If you’re someone who constantly plugs and unplugs your GPU from the mount now and then, you might want to check out other options.
5. Cooler Master MasterAccessory Riser Cable
- Length: 200mm or 300mm
- Angle: 90-degree
- Warranty: 1-year
In case you wish to add a bit of flair to your rig, this riser cable from Cooler Master has a single purple cable on it that makes it look unique. Also, the PCB here is one of the best in its class. It’s built to provide high speeds even under high thermal loads and also comes with moisture resistance.
Also, the cables here are quite thick at 30 AWG. While this adds to the overall sturdiness and durability of the cable, it also means that it’s not as flexible as most of its competitors. That being said, the performance here is top-notch. So, once you have the cable configured, it should work just fine.
6. Thermaltake TT Premium
- Length: 200mm or 300mm or 600mm or 1000mm
- Angle: 180-degree
- Warranty: 2-year
One of the best features of this cable is its flexibility. It can be bent and twisted into a range of shapes and angles, which makes it ideal for use in tight spaces or complex builds. Despite its flexibility, the cable retains its structural integrity, ensuring that there is no signal loss or data corruption.
The way it is designed is that the outer plastic sleeve of each ribbon provides a protective and supple layer. An outer layer of aluminum mylar protects the inner cables from interference from other nearby wires and electrical components. The individual wires are prevented from touching each other by a rubberized layer located inside the aluminum mylar layer.
It all sounds a bit too technical, so as the end consumer, what you should know is that for the premium you spend on this, you get the best possible speeds for PCIe 4.0 along with immense durability. The only downside here is that it doesn’t come with mounting screws included in the package. So you would either have to rely on the ones provided by your case manufacturer or get them separately.
FAQs About PCIe Riser Cables
It depends upon your use case. Typically, PCIe riser cables are often used by gamers and cryptocurrency miners who want to improve their system’s performance and aesthetics by vertically mounting their graphics card away from the motherboard. This results in better airflow, and thus, better performance. However, you need to ensure that your cabinet supports a vertical mount in the first place. At the end of the day, if you don’t plan on vertically mounting your GPU, you don’t need a PCIe riser cable.
Yes. PCIe 4.0 riser cables are backward compatible with PCIe 3.0 slots. This is because PCIe in itself is backward compatible, meaning that newer devices can be used on older slots. However, do note that the connection will operate at PCIe 3.0 speeds.
If you are using a low-quality riser cable, it can take a toll on your GPU performance. Poor quality riser cables with inadequate shielding, incorrect wiring, or inadequate PCIe lanes, can cause signal degradation and lead to instability or reduced performance of the GPU. However, if you use a high-quality PCIe riser cable, there won’t be any signal degradation. Thankfully, all the options mentioned in the list above should work perfectly fine without causing any issues.
Maximize the Airflow With PCIe 4.0 Riser Cables
At the end of the day, PCIe 4.0 riser cables are great for gamers, cryptocurrency miners, and other high-performance users to improve their system’s performance. However, you must always use a high-quality PCIe riser cable to ensure the best performance.
In that very context, our list should easily suffice your needs. If you are on a budget, ASIAHORSE’s option is a great deal. However, when looking for the best PCIe 4.0 riser cables, it’s hard to outshine the Thermaltake TT Premium.
Last updated on 16 March, 2023
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
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