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First, a quick look at our test system.
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Test System
Specifications |
| CPU: |
Pentium 4 2.8GHZ @ 3.2GHz |
| Motherboard: |
Soyo Dragon 2 Platinum
Edition |
| Memory: |
Corsair TwinX3200XLPro (1GB) |
| Hard Drive: |
Western Digital Raptor SATA
36GB |
| Video Card: |
ATI Radeon 9600 |
CD Read Tests
Nero CD-DVD Speed version 3.12 was used for
testing through this review. This version is included in the latest
build of Nero 6 Ultra Edition, 6.3.1.17.
1. CD-DVD Speed - Pressed CD
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Test Results |
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Transfer Speed
Average:
31.03x
Start:
18.24x
End:
40.93x |
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Seek
Times
Random:
129ms
1/3: 143ms
Full:
280ms |
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CPU
Usage
1X: 0%
2X: 1%
4X: 2%
8X: 4% |
This drive is capable of reading CD media at a
maximum rate of 40x. There was no problem hitting its maximum transfer
speed with our pressed CD. Now, while the seek times on this drive were
quite high, you should note the super low CPU Usage rates that were achieved.
These are about the lowest I've seen and compare to those of the Oporite
DD1203 we have recently reviewed.
2. CD-DVD Speed - CDR
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Test Results |
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Transfer Speed
Average:
30.31x
Start:
18.32x
End:
39.68x |
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Seek
Times
Random:
124ms
1/3: 138ms
Full:
270ms |
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CPU
Usage
1X: 0%
2X: 1%
4X: 1%
8X: 3% |
With CDR media, the drive came just slightly shy
of 40x but we see again the surprisingly low CPU Usage rates. Seek times
remained rather high.
3. CD-DVD Speed - CDRW
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Test Results |
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Transfer Speed
Average:
24.39x
Start:
14.64x
End:
32.01x |
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Seek
Times
Random:
132ms
1/3: 139ms
Full:
273ms |
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CPU
Usage
1X: 0%
2X: 1%
4X: 1%
8X: 3% |
Now, the results with CDRW media were not great
as expected. Maximum transfer speed was 32x but the CPU Usage remained
very low.
4. DAE - Advanced Quality Tests
The advanced digital audio extraction tests were
good, with the exception of the leadin and leadout track, which it couldn't
read data from.
Overall, the CD read tests were good, and I was
especially impressed with the super low CPU usage rates.
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