NVIDIA High-Speed Cables: 400G/800G Interconnect Choices and Cabling Essentials
November 4, 2025
As data centers transition to 400G and prepare for 800G infrastructures, selecting the right interconnect solutions becomes critical for maintaining signal integrity and maximizing performance. NVIDIA high-speed cables offer comprehensive solutions for next-generation networking requirements.
The evolution from 100G to 400G and emerging 800G standards represents a significant leap in data center capabilities. NVIDIA's cable portfolio addresses the unique challenges of these higher speeds, including signal degradation, power consumption, and physical layer management.
NVIDIA DAC cables provide cost-effective, low-latency connectivity for short-reach applications typically within the same rack or adjacent racks. These passive and active copper solutions offer several advantages:
- Lower power consumption compared to optical alternatives
- Reduced latency for high-frequency trading and AI workloads
- Cost efficiency for high-density deployments
- Hot-pluggable capability for easy maintenance
For longer reach requirements, NVIDIA AOC solutions extend connectivity capabilities while maintaining high performance:
- Extended reach up to 100 meters for 400G applications
- Reduced weight and improved cable management in high-density setups
- Electromagnetic immunity in electrically noisy environments
- Lower power consumption per bit compared to previous generations
When planning 400G/800G infrastructure, several technical factors require careful attention:
- Signal integrity management at higher data rates
- Thermal considerations for high-density port configurations
- Compatibility with existing infrastructure and migration paths
- Return loss and insertion loss specifications
Proper cabling practices are essential for maximizing 400G/800G performance:
- Maintain minimum bend radii to prevent signal degradation
- Implement proper cable strain relief at connection points
- Consider airflow implications in high-density configurations
- Plan for proper cable management to facilitate troubleshooting
NVIDIA's approach to high-speed cable technology incorporates forward-looking features that support evolving standards and applications. The company's investment in 800G-ready infrastructure ensures that current deployments can scale to meet future demands.
The interoperability of NVIDIA high-speed cables across different generations of equipment provides organizations with flexibility in their upgrade paths, reducing total cost of ownership while maintaining performance standards.
NVIDIA cables undergo rigorous testing to ensure compliance with industry standards and performance expectations:
- Bit error rate (BER) performance exceeding 10⁻¹⁵
- Comprehensive interoperability testing with major switch vendors
- Environmental testing for reliable operation in data center conditions
- Long-term reliability validation for continuous operation
NVIDIA high-speed cables provide critical connectivity solutions for 400G and 800G deployments. The choice between DAC and AOC technologies depends on specific requirements for reach, power consumption, and cost considerations.
As data centers continue to evolve toward higher speeds and greater densities, NVIDIA's comprehensive cable portfolio and technical expertise ensure that organizations can deploy reliable, high-performance infrastructure with confidence.