EggXpert

My 5 year old computer is starting to die and I've decided to build my own to spread out costs and gain more control over the system.  I purchased several external optical drives (1 DVD-ROM, 1 DVD Burner) when the drives on my current computer died.  I'm looking for opinions on optical drives for the new machine.  I can either a) continue with the external drives or b) pick up internal drives.  From what I've read (I only started researching all this a few weeks ago and am still getting used to all the jargon) external drives don't put any pressure on the computer's internal power supply but have slower connection with the computer than internal drives.

 Also, any tips on where to go to look up information for computer supplies would be appreciated.  Right now I'm limited to wikipedia and newegg.
 

Hi Bernabowus, you can continue using your external drives, specially the burner, however, if you are going to install a Windows operating system you will need an internal optical drive. 

If everything's working, just keep it that way.

you have to install a internal optical drive for your new rig but i am not using external drive as an optical drive, it is a little bit slow. and of course a high quality psu is the key of a steady rig. most of time, external optical drives are used by laptops. that sucks.

I would say a psu is the most important part of any build, and yes you'll need an internal drive to install an OS. Perhaps instead of buying one you could borrow one from someone you know? But there is no point in buying one when your current external ones are working great. Plus drives such as dvd burner etc put very little strain on a psu.

The advantages of internal optical drives are fast in speed, with better compatibility and

 

lower system occupancy factors. However, it is not convenient to disassemble.

 

On the contrary, the external optical drives are portable and support plug and play, but the

 

transmitting speed is slower than the internal ones, and will have a higher occupancy rate.

ladytekki:

Hi Bernabowus, you can continue using your external drives, specially the burner, however, if you are going to install a Windows operating system you will need an internal optical drive. 

 

thats weird since i have installed and reinstalled many times windows on my pc with my external drive. ur mobo have to be able to support start up from usb tho.