|
First, a quick look at our test system.
|
Test System
Specifications |
| CPU: |
Pentium 4 2.4GHZ
|
| Motherboard: |
Soyo P4VGA |
| Memory: |
Corsair XMS3200 (1GB) |
| Hard Drive: |
Western Digital 40GB 7200rpm |
| 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
|
Test Results |
|
Transfer Speed
Average:
34.55x
Start:
20.06x
End:
45.55x |
|
Seek
Times
Random:
127ms
1/3: 138ms
Full:
193ms |
|
CPU
Usage
1X: 0%
2X: 1%
4X: 2%
8X: 5% |
One of the impressive features of this drive is
its high speed CD read/write capabilities. It is capable of reading CD
media at a maximum speed of 48x. While it did not quite hit 48x, it came
fairly close to it and averaged in at about 34x. Seek times were average
but like the Pioneer 4x double layer drive, its CPU usage rates were very low.
2. CD-DVD Speed - CDR
|
Test Results |
|
Transfer Speed
Average:
34.77x
Start:
20.70x
End:
45.52x |
|
Seek
Times
Random:
160ms
1/3: 144ms
Full:
207ms |
|
CPU
Usage
1X: 1%
2X: 1%
4X: 3%
8X: 5% |
Transfer speed remained about the same with CDR
media and CPU usage rates remained very low. Seek times were, however,
slightly higher.
3. CD-DVD Speed - CDRW
|
Test Results |
|
Transfer Speed
Average:
25.03x
Start:
14.88x
End:
32.85x |
|
Seek
Times
Random:
129ms
1/3: 137ms
Full:
196ms |
|
CPU
Usage
1X: 0%
2X: 1%
4X: 2%
8X: 5% |
With CDRW media, transfer speed only peeked in
at about 33x. Seek time were lower and CPU usage again remained at a
minimum.
4. DAE - Advanced Quality Tests
The advanced digital audio extraction tests were
good with the exception of on-the-fly copying at 16x. The drive just
could not keep up. It was also unable to read the lead-in and lead-out
information.
|
