Buyer's Guide - Mid-Range, October 2004
by Jarred Walton on October 21, 2004 11:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Guides
Optical Drive Recommendations
Optical drives are one area where the price, performance, and features of competing products are extremely close. For most people, a decent DVD+/-RW drive will function well as a "Jack of All Trades", although some of you might want to add a second DVD-ROM drive in order to create backup images of a disc without storing data on the hard drive. CD-R and DVD-R discs can also function as a quick and easy backup medium for whatever sort of work you do on your PC. Long-term storage of the discs may not be 100% reliable, but if you back up your critical files weekly to a new disc, you should be pretty safe from data loss.
DVD+/-RW Recommendation: NEC DVD+/-RW Drive Model 3500A
Price: $73 Shipped (OEM)
While we haven't officially reviewed it yet, we are very impressed with the newest NEC 3500A drive, and with a price of just over $70, we prefer it over most of the competition. The drive is also available in beige, should that work better with your case. About the only feature missing from the drive is DVD-RAM support. For a drive that supports 16X DVD+R burn speeds as well as 4X DVD+R DL, such an omission is not a deal breaker. We should also mention that finding media capable of 16X burn speeds is still difficult. Those willing to flash the BIOS to the latest version - or perhaps even a "hacked" version - may find that burn speeds and reliability are improved. The practice is becoming relatively common for those trying to get the fastest DVD burn speeds out of their drives. Lite-On, Pioneer, Plextor, Sony, and many other brands are also acceptable.
DVD-ROM Alternative: Lite-On 16X DVD-ROM Model SOHD-167T
Price: $30 Shipped (Retail)
For those who like to have a second optical drive, we offer this selection. There isn't a whole lot of difference between the various DVD-ROM drives these days. They can all read DVDs at 16X and CDs at 48X or 52X. Seek times might vary slightly, but most uses of optical drives do not rely heavily on seek times. Just remember to match your drive with your case. While Lite-On is a popular model, it is also possible to get alternative colors for the face plate, which some people might find useful. The retail version of this drive includes Power DVD 5 and an audio cable, so for the extra $1, it seems like a nice addition.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
54 Comments
View All Comments
hh - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
#8/gimper48> Very good. I am impressed. However, are we
> going to see benchmarks in these anytime soon?
Benchmarks are merely a tool to try to determine whats better/worse/"equivalent" for its price.
And I do realize that this may be somewhat contrary to the general intent of the article, but we do have to recognize that DIY'ing falls into two basic motivational catagories: those who do it because they enjoy it (hobby) and those who want to save money vs. OEM (value).
For the latter, it comes down to cost:performance. As a example, taking the $1250 system upgraded to the 17" LCD monitor and XP/P OS puts us at roughly $1500. Now suppose that we could get an "equivalent" system (performance) but someone else did the assembly, optimization and compatibility hassles, performed the OS installation, and gave us a warranty. Clearly, that PC build wouild be worth more, but how much more?
One OEM example to consider is the Apple iMac 1.6Gz G5 17" at $1300 + 1GB aftermarket RAM upgrade +$250, which puts us at a $1550 pricepoint.
For this example, the value-added extras of hardware assembly, optimization/compatibility/debug, the OS install and a system warranty is only $50 more. YMMV if this is small enough for many value-oriented people would be willing to pay for (IMO, yes).
The remaining question is if such a $1550 OEM system is/isn't "equivalent" to the $1500 DIY system to conclude which is the better overall consumer value.
And because of the Apple here, the "equivalency" question is a huge gaping hole. That's no accident: I did it on purpose because my intent is to look at this more rhetorically to as to illustrate the philisophical, not to introduce a Mac performance debate (so please don't). Yes, I could have chosen a Dell or Gateway, but I loathe their websites and they typically have too many hardware variables that would only drag us down into the weeds instead of seeing the basics of the big picture first.
This article was interesting reading. Thanks again.
-hh
draazeejs - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
Why did they change the HDD recommendation from Seagate to Samsung? Does anyone have experience with how loud those drives are? I have a Barracuda IV, 40GB, and that one is totally silent. As far as I have heard the new Barracudas are much louder. Why is that so?PrinceGaz - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
If the NEC ND-3500A lives up to the standards of the previous ND-2500A/2510A, then its likely to be the best drive in its class with standard firmware. The quality and value of those drives was unbeatable.Hacked firmware to add more media types or higher burn speeds with them is a nice bonus for those who want it, but is totally optional. The drives are still excellent straight out the box.
deathwalker - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
#28..I don't think recommendations for a Optical drive should be based on "hacked" firmware...I'm sticking with my original thought that the Pioneer drive would have seemed like the likely choice based upon there recent review..having said that though, I'nm sure the NEC drive is a fine drive also.MustISO - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
Looking at the memory chart, RAM is really going up. That sucks!iversonyin - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
logitech > MS when it come to mouseMIDIman - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
> The NEC is a little curious though, given the> glowing review of the Pioneer a few weeks
> ago...
I think the point here might be post hacked firmware. After flashing my 3500a, its quite incredible what its capable of, and its possible that anandtech has already done an NEC article and just hasn't put it up quite yet.
Murmandamus - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
Great guide!I'm considering setting up an HTPC. So I would sure like to see a htpc guide from you guys.
Thanks!
JarredWalton - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
Let's just say I have insider information from Kristopher. Blame him. ;)gherald - Friday, October 22, 2004 - link
> #5 - Posted on Oct 21, 2004 at 1:34 PM by PrinceGaz wrote:> I've just finished reading it and amazingly, I can't fault any of your recommendations!
I have to agree! In particular it's great to finally start seeing good case/PSUs from Antec and Shuttle.
The NEC is a little curious though, given the glowing review of the Pioneer a few weeks ago...