CD-RW (maybe vidcard) recommendations (links to reviews appreciated)

[DarrylLicke]

I've come into some cash recently and I've been acheing for a burner but I just get overloaded with the amount of information (went to cdrlab). Any recommendations? It'll mostly be used to back up files on my computer and to create music CD mixes. I've been thinking Liteon as pricewatch shows I can get a 40x for under $75.

Systems specs:
733Mhz
256MB RAM
Asus P3V4X motherboard
Voodoo5 (this is why I'm looking for vid card recommendations. I thought about getting a GeForce3 just so I can play GTA3 and catch up on technologies as Voodoo isn't really "supported" anymore save for the underground)
IBM Deskstar 60GXP 40gig

 

[JSSheridan]

For the CD-RW, I've been looking at the Asus 4816 Here @ newegg

I can also give you a recommend a video card for you as I am running a 700MHz P3 on an Asus P3V4X MB. First, update your VIA 4-in-1 drivers from Here. Having the latest BIOS (1005) would be good too. I am using an ATI Radeon 8500LE 128MB @ clock speeds of 275*/275* (standard is 250/250) and I haven't had a single problem under Win 2000 Professional. This is a better board that the GF3 because it performs better and is cheaper. The drivers have matured and are stable, so that is a non-issue now. I'm sure there are others who is dispute this, and some who will back me up. Personally, I'm not attached to the Radeon. It has worked for me though.

Hope this is helpful. Good luck man. Peace.

 

[JoPalm]

CDRW: Go w/ the liteon, you won't be disappointed.
Videocard: Best price/performance ratio right now would be the ATI Radeon 8500LE 128MB (i'm pretty sure that's the one). I have the 8500 64mb and i really like it.

 

[Scottee]

Dell home and office has the Lite-On 40x12x48x for $53 plus shipping. If you search around in the Hot Deals forum, I believe there's ways to get it for even cheaper with coupons or discounts. Lite-On's are highly regarded.

Seems they have free shipping right now too.

 

[Rhombuss]

Another happy Lite-On user and haven't burned a coster in the year that I've had the drive. For the VCard - either get the 8500 Radeon series now, or if you can wait, give the Radeon 9700 some time to mature and come down in price. Then again, a Radeon 9700 is probably major overkill for a 733MHz CPU, so unless you're willing to match the hardware generations a bit, the 8500LE is probably your best bet .

 

[jbahseng]

Ditto with the Lite-on, best bang for the buck. You can find some review in http://www.cdrinfo.com. For the video card, either get a Radeon 8500 LE or Geforce4 Ti4200 if you don't want to spend too much.

 

[trueblue]

Yep installed a lite-on 40x12x48 last week no probs with install, noise level is reasonable and no coasters after making backup copies of music cds and games.

These are good burners. Go to the cd freaks site and ask around they can backup anything and come with nero standard. You will have to use CD Clone etc to burn protected data.

Cd freaks site here

Also they are good value for the $. Plextors are also very good but cost a fair bit more-depends what you want to pay ?