November Extreme Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 4

Storage

Intel: Two Western Digital 120GB Special Edition /w 8MB cache + Promise Fasttrak TX2000, PCI IDE Raid Controller

Current Cost: $171 X 2 = $342
Current Cost of TX2000 = $89
Months on list: 2
Price Change: +$7

AMD: Two Western Digital 120GB Special Edition /w 8MB cache for RAID, + Soyo Serial IDE to Serial ATA Converter (x2)

Current Cost: $171 X 2 = $342
Months on list (Hard Drives): 3
Price Change: +$10
Current Cost on IDE - SATA converter: $39 X 2 = $78

With price drops all around, both Extreme PCs will be able to run in RAID 0 mode, but the Intel system has to have an extra IDE Raid controller installed at a cost of $89. Once again both systems are capable of supporting ATA-133 drives, and in the case of the AMD system, Serial ATA drives. However there isn't any Serial ATA drives available on the market at the moment, but we've circumvented that problem somewhat by including a pair of IDE SATA converters for the AMD system. In terms of standard IDE drives, the Western Digital Special Edition drives with 8MB cache; spinning at 7,200 RPM, with a slightly antiquated ATA-100 interface still outperform the rest of the IDE field.

Another positive note about these Special Edition drives from Western Digital is the 3-year warranty that they still carry. As of October 1, 2002, most hard drive manufacturers are reducing their standard warranties on hard drives from 3-years to 1-year. So the Extreme system will have fastest drives, coupled with the industries longest standard warranty.

DVD ROM: Toshiba SD-M1612 16X DVD-ROM

Cost: $40
Months on list: 4
Price Change: -$1

This is a gaming machine primarily, but with the soundcard, speakers, and monitor that are going to be included, one might be inclined into watching a few DVD movies here and there. DVD movies are a good distraction especially when you have a deadline to meet but need a 2 hour break. The price difference between a standard CD ROM versus a DVD ROM is not too great, therefore opting for a DVD ROM in the high end gaming machines is a viable option. For DVD ROM drives, there are few better drives out there than this Toshiba 16X DVD ROM.

This drive is tray loading drive, which is much more compatible with the smaller sized discs (200MB mini CD's, and 20MB business card type CD's) than their slot loading competition. Toshiba has been a longtime industry leader in optical drives, and this drive is no exception. It's a speedy 16X DVD ROM reader, as well as a not too shabby 48X CD ROM reader, and to top it all off it can read DVD-RAM discs. The technical specs are also impressive, with its 85ms access times, and 512K buffer.

CDRW: TDK 48/24/48 VeloCD ReWriter

Current Cost: $87
Months on list: 3
Price Change: -$12

Sure there are PC-DVD recorders available now, but the adoption rate on them is still quite low, and prices on drives and media have prohibited the average consumer from purchasing them en masse. Although this is an extreme guide, we're going to have to wait before adding a DVD-R/RW to the list. Having said that, nothing but the best CDRW drive will do, and that in our opinion is the TDK 48/24/48 VeloCD ReWriter.

Boasting 48X write speeds, and 24X re-write speeds (16X until 24X media is available), 48X CD reading speeds, and 48X Digital Audio Extraction speeds. This drive is a beast. TDK 48/24/48 offers some of the fastest speeds in all areas, and although it only has a 2MB buffer, coasters are averted with the built in buffer under-run protection technology. The included software is impressive as well; the Nero Express software not only does the conventional CDR/MP3 work, but even lets you to convert your digital media into the VCD format that is playable on most set top DVD players. This drive is still an SE favorite, and the recent price drop on it has only increased its ranking with us.

Floppy Disk Drive: Any name brand, Panasonic, Sony, etc.

What can we say about the venerable floppy disk drive? Sometimes you just need one, especially when a pesky NIC requires drivers that are supplied on a floppy.