USB 2.0 vs ATA speeds

[newuser]

I have an external USB 2.0 optical drive. I have an open bay for an ATA device in my new rig. How much faster would the ATA be, I have been putting it off cause I would have to dissasemble the external drive which would be sort of a PITA if it does not make a substantial difference in speed.

 

[thorin]

Well it depends on the specs of the drive but as far as the interfaces go USB2 = 480Mbps = 60MB/Sec (Theoretical max) ATA33 = 33MB/sec (Theoretical max)

Keep in mind even a 40x CDROM = 40 * 150KB/sec = 6000KB/Sec =~ 6MB/Sec (even one of those 72x CDROMs only does ~10MB/Sec)

Thorin

 

[newuser]

thanks, its only a 48x so i guess I will keep it external