An Integral Part of Any Setup, so please help!

[Smudger]

I know that it is important, even vital, to have some form of optical drive, so, which one. I really do wish to keep the price down, so that rules out HDMI. I was in fact looking at the Optiarc AD-7241S Lightscribe 24X DVD+/-RW (http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?OPT-7241S), but is this a reliable choice, fo that kind of money.
Also, am I right in thinking that this kind of optical drive (SATA) will work with any mobo? I dont want to get my Intel G31 and have it explode if I plug in the Optiarc!

BTW, I'm sure knowledgeable people will help with any right choice/compatibility issues with DVD drives, in this thread.

Edit: I have just seen the Sony DRU870S 24x DVD+/-RW (http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/Components/OpticalDrives/SATADVDWriters/Sony/DRU-870S.html) on Novatech. Only 5 quid more, an it's Sony. Opinions? G31 compatible?

[snakedoc]

I personally bung the cheapest model in my build. I don't feel it's a vital part, many of our shuttles don't even have one.

[Smudger]

Cool, how cheap should I stoop. There must be a line...

[snakedoc]

All much of a muchness. Go for the lightscribe, it's only a couple of quid more than the cheapest.

[Smudger]

Nice one. At least there are some components that you don't have to spend years researching and comparing and thinking about.


I personally bung the cheapest model in my build. I don't feel it's a vital part, many of our shuttles don't even have one.

yeah, but you gotta install the OS

[IainK]

install it off a bootable memory stick or plug one in temporarily :)

anyway, any will be fine as long as you don't geta samsung one, iirc they're very unreliable, wuite out of character for samsung

[chrisjb]

I just use a external one and leave it unplugged till I need it, I hardly ever use it only to install games,and now I get most of my games from steam.

[snakedoc]

yeah, but you gotta install the OS

There are other ways to install the OS. USB as said, from an image etc.

[Smudger]

Woah...I was wrong. Now I'm deciding whether I really need one.

[IainK]

i would get one tbh, or salvage one from an old system!
Playing CDs? ripping them to put on your MP3 player? installing non-download games? not essential, but useful at times

[snakedoc]

Woah...I was wrong. Now I'm deciding whether I really need one.

i think it's safe to say you will require one. It depends on what you use your PC for really but you will have to put the OS on there as I guess you will have limited options for that yourself.

[geek-i-am]

Yeah, as snakedoc said at some point you will need a dvd drive. There always has to be one thing on a cd/dvd you need and can't get online without paying for it again...
Plus it's just so much easier to install a OS from cd.

[Smudger]

OK, cool thanks. I'll do it. I, Smudger, will get a DVD Drive!!!!!