Lite on SOHC - Combo Drive VS Lite on SOHD - DVD Drive

[lokodezine]

I am purchasing a computer and I have decided on the dvdrw drive to be the NEC 3540A. Then for my other drive I cant decide between the DVD Drive by lite on or the Combo Drive by Lite on.

The DVD Drive is just a pure dvd drive and reads CDs.
Cache: 512K
CD-ROM: 48X
CD-ROM Access Time: 120ms
Data Transfer Rate: DVD-ROM:21600 KB/s max by CAV CD-ROM:7200 KB/s max by CAV
DVD-ROM: 16X
DVD-ROM Access Time: 120ms


The Combo Drive reads and writes cds as well as plays dvds and its also cheaper.
Cache: 1.5M
CD-R: 52X
CD-ROM: 52X
CD-ROM Access Time: 120ms
CD-RW: 32X
DVD-ROM: 16X
DVD-ROM Access Time: 140ms

I am just wondeirng how come that combo drive is cheaper... if there is any faults or problems with having a combo drive such as that. Which one would you all go with?

ALso the higher the number on cache the better? and what about access time the higher or lower the betteR?

[jayb1234]

It could be that the less expensive one is an OEM package and the other is a retail package.

cache: bigger = better

access time: lower = better

[Aussie01]

The combo has a bigger cache because it needs to store alot when burning. Unless you want to burn multiple disks at once, which is usually not necessary go for a straight dvd-rom. i wouldn't put too much emphasis on access times unless there is a big difference which there isn't in this case.

If you do get 2 burners make sure you hook them up seperately on your MB otherwise you will have more burn errors as too much data will be getting transferred on the one cable. It's also a good idea if you are burning direct from one drive to another to hook them up seperately.