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How to Choose a CD, DVD or Hard Drive

There are many devices which can be used tocan choose between an internal or external CD
store or write data in your computer system.writer. Internal drives are best suited for
The options include hard drives, USB/Firewiredesktop PCs and are the least expensive
storage devices, CD writers and DVD writers.option. If you want portability and don't
Hard drives are a very essential (andmind paying a little more, you can get a
delicate) piece of equipment and are aFireWire  or  USB  2.0  external CD-RW drive.
standard feature on most computers. CD
writers are also very common. USB/FirewireDVD WritersDVD writers are the newest rage
storage devices and DVD writers are currentlyin the consumer data storage market. They let
getting more popular with consumers.Thisyou store up to 4.7GB on a single disc
article will give you some tips on selectingseveral times the amount of on a CD-RW disc.
proper data storage devices for your PC.HardSo let's look at some factors to consider
DrivesFirst, let's cover hard drives. We'llwhen  purchasing  a  new  DVD  drive.
look at some hard drive terms like ATA and
SCSI, as well as cover the factors to
consider  when  buying  a  new  drive.
Drive Speed: One factor to consider when
ATA and SCSI: Let's get some terminology outbuying DVD writers is drive speed. Most DVD-R
of the way before we go further. In the harddrives write at 8X, with some older models
drive world, there are two data accesssupporting only 4X. Personally, I don't think
standards, ATA and SCSI (pronouncedthere is significant speed difference between
'Scar-Zee'). The ATA standard is splita 8X and 4X drive - so don't spend extra
further into Parallel ATA (PATA) and Serialmoney unnecessarily if you don't have
ATA (SATA). Most of normal hard drives we'reto.Compatibility
used to rely on the PATA standard. Some newer
hard drives use the SATA standard.SATA allowsThere is a huge range of DVD media formats
transfer speeds of up to 150 MBs while PATAout there (DVD+R, DVD-R,DVD+R DL),
gives up to 133 MBs. However, to use SATA,represented by various brands. You need to
you'll need a Serial ATA controller, a SATAconsider compatibility of your DVD writer
drive and a SATA power cable. The speedwith these DVD discs. DVD-R and DVD+R formats
difference between PATA and SATA is also notare both very compatible with existing DVD
significant unless you have a high-end SATAplayers and DVD-ROM drives - so try to get a
drive.The SCSI standard is a very fast hardplayer that supports those.Internal or
drive standard used for professional computerExternal
systems which demand extremely fast data
access. SCSI drives provide an access time ofYou can choose between an internal or
about 9.5ms - which I feel is really notexternal DVD writer. Internal drives are
needed for average home use.Disk Space vs.cheaper but it also means you need to deal
Price: An important factor to consider is thewith the installation hassle and
disk space versus price ratio. When you looknon-portability. External DVD writers come
at the 30 GB, 40 GB and 80 GBPATA hardwith Firewire or USB 2.0 interfaces and may
drives, you'll find they are very close inwell be a better choice if you need to move
price. If you don't mind paying an extra $20your  data  around  a  lot.
or so, I'd say go for the maximum disk space
you can get! If you do a lot of graphics orConclusionTo purchase a good storage device,
video editing, you may want to considerbe it a hard drive, CD writer or DVD writer,
larger drives like the Seagate 160 GB hardyou need to consider what price you're
drive. For the average home user, however, 40willing to pay for a given set of features.
GB to 80 GB of disk space is plenty.DriveIn my opinion, the DVD burner is fast
Speed: If data access speed is important tobecoming an essential item in the average
you, you can go for faster SATA drives orhome user's PC. If you're building a new
SCSI drives. But remember that these drivescomputer, you should definitely consider
come at a price premium and may not bebuying a DVD writer on top of your standard
necessary for average home use. Anotherhard  drive.
option is to use a RAID setup where multiple
hard disks are used to gain drive performanceFavorite PicksUpgrade Your Computer Skills
and/or  data  integrity.with This VideoIf you want to learn how to
build your own computer or troubleshoot
CD WritersCD writers are practicallygeneral PC problems, you should check out
standard issue on all PCs these days. Pricesthis computer training video. Besides showing
are ridiculously cheap, so there's no reasonyou the exact steps for installing new
not to get one, unless you prefer a DVDhardware components, this video provides
writer.important tips for repairing and upgrading
your PC. These tips include little gems like
how to create boot disks, configure your BIOs
or format a hard drive.Gary Hendricks runs a
Drive Speed: For CD writers, you shouldhobby site on building computers. Visit his
generally look for a 40X record speed orwebsite at for tips and tricks on assembling
faster. Anything slower will cost you a lota PC, as well as buying good computer
of time burning CDs.Internal or External: Youcomponents.



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