• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Plextor SCSI CDROM Question

Blayze

Diamond Member
I am in the market for a Plextor 40x SCSI cdrom
my friend says that the 68 pin model is faster than the 50 pin MAX version, but yet I read on the forums that the 50 is indeed faster.

my question is which one should I get? the 68 pin is only 10 dollars more but I dont want to get that one if it is indeed slower.
I am using this on a Adaptec 2940UW

I am going to be ordering one from hypermicro.com
 
isn't the 68-pin version UltraSCSI? If so, then it would definitely be faster than the Max, which is SCSI-2.

Correct me someone if I am wrong

l2c
 
the 50 and 68 pin are the same cxcept for the interface,
but the 68 pin has a higher peak throughput.luv2 is correct.

Zip
 
I remember reading (AFTER I got the UW version), that the 50 pin version was slightly faster. It was suprising, but benchmarks don't lie. The thing is...I don't think its anything noticable in normal use. I mean how often do you really use your cdrom anyway? I'd just stick w/ the 50 pin version b/c if you also get a CDRW you can leave it on the same scsi cable. If you get the 68pin cdrom and a 50pin cdrw (there are no UW cdrw's), you'll have scsi ribbons all over the place inside your box. (and if you don't believe me... click here 🙂 )

that oughta convince you!
 
do you think that these drives will allow me to extract audio off cd's at 12x?
I see your point about the cables though
 
Wah, what are you doing taking pictures of my computer? Mine looks the exact same way. I do you a Plextor pair on the 50pin, it is the HD that adds the mess. No complaints for the 50pin
 
I have the (68-pin) UW Plex. Like mentioned earlier, I think it's the same drive as the 50-pin (SCSI-2?) model, with a diff interface, so your bursts would be higher (40MB/s) with the UW model. Use mine w/ Tekram U2W adpater, a Plex 8X CD-R & a few (IBM) LVD HDDs. I like having it on it's own cable/port (for copying CDs) .. but SCSI multitasks, so I don't think it makes a diff. I've have both my Plex drives for ~2 yrs - no probs. The Plex rocks at DAE, which is what I got it for. Rips at 24X. Yes, I have a lot of cables .. it's ugly.

I could run some benches if u want ..
 
radarnbo...

actually thats the way my comp looked before I organized the cables a bit. It was seriously blocking the airflow. Its a bit less cluttered now. The reason its so bad is cuz of the ultra2 seagate, a plextor UW on the 68pin, a plex 12/4/32 on the narrow, and a floppy. 🙂 Those ribbon cables are annoying.
 
At the same time, get the 50pin version.
The max transfer rate of a scsi cdrom will not need UW interface.
So u really do not get any performance gain when u are using the ultrawide plextor compare to the scsi 2 (50pinn) plextor.

U can get a cheaper scsi card or reserve the 68pinn for other devices.

the 50pin plextor drive are known as better performer anyway
 
I know your asking about a plextor cd rom but I believe the 12x pioneer dvd drive rips audio at least 12x. And you would also have the ability to rip DVDs or paly aroung with the new MPEG4 standard.

Currently make sure you have the plextor 12x burner and a good DVD rom reader such as pionner or toshi (Reads wit Clone CD well).

It just seems with a DVd drive if you dont have one would give you more options to paly with. Also there are scsi versions of drives mentioned.

Just a suggestion to keep your options open.

Have a good one.

Clocker
 
thanks for all the suggestions everyone
I will probably be ordering a drive the first of next week.
I currently have a Creative 12x dvd drive but it is horrible at audio (below 12x 🙁)
 
i too am in the market for one, and have done alot of reading. check out the review at storagereview on them. (here)

i always thought the ultrawide would be better, but that is not the case. there are 2 revisions of the 40x max. one is a little better than the 40x wide, and the other newer revision is way better in some areas (DAE for example)

my reccomendation is get the 40x max revision v1.11, its what i plan on doing.
 
the 50pin comes with newer firmware, available ONLY for the 50pin, which enables it to be much faster than it's 68pin counterpart in DAE. my 50pin Ultraplex routinely his 38X in DAE using both audiocatalyst and WinDac. there are a few other threads on this topic, doing a search will reveal them. also, the 50pin is cheaper
 
Incidentally, CompGeeks.com currently has the Plextor 40X
standard 50 pin (not UW) SCSI CD-rom for $53. NEW, but with a
HP faceplate. It's the later revision of the BIOS, too (v1.11)
so it has the fastest DAE extraction.

THIS is the best deal you're gonna find on this drive, and I
highly recommend if you're interested in a Plextor SCSI CD-rom,
you jump on this one!

Kwad
 
i wouldnt be quite as fast to jump on this one until you know if lotsamula's firmware hack will work. i knwo it worked once, but you never can tell. for those that want a plextor drive that works with plextor software, you MUST have the firmware reflashed to reflect a plextor drive. i saw this deal weeks ago, but i wont buy anyhitng till i hear results on the firmware mod.

besides. i would seriously pay more money to have that plextor name on the front of the drive. yech, it's like foreign cars that have made in america stickers on them... it just isnt right🙂
 
The Plextor firmware hack is only necessary if he's gonna use
the Plextor software, though...Unless he's going to use a Plextor
writer, there's no real point in it...

Kwad
 
the fact that plextor has repeatedly given us the best firmware revisions, reliability, compatibility and speed arent reason enough for you? a huge part of why their devices work so well lies within the software and firmware that they make.
 
Yeah, but you're getting the absolute latest BIOS/firmware with the
HP. Even if it identifies itself as an HP, it is functionally
identical to the Plextor. So unless you are using Plextor's
software, there is absolutely positively no reason to care about
flashing the name to Plextor. And if you're not using a Plextor
burner as well, there's no compelling reason to use the Plextor
software. It isn't clear to me whether the original poster has
a Plextor burner...

Kwad
 
Back
Top