DVD Burner. Whats the difference between a 2M and 8M Cache???

[sk8erboy2237]

i was wonding if someone oculd tell me. whats the difference between a 2M and 8M cache on a DVD Burner?? im having problems picking one out.
i have a plextor 8M PX-716A/SW $116
or
a NEC 3540 2M cache $55. could you please help me out here. thanks!

[sk8erboy2237]

i have a choice between a 2M cache NEC 3540 $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152052

or

8M cache Plextor PX-716A/SW $116
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827131338

i would like to know the difference between a 2M cache and a 8M cache. like is the 8M cache burn faster or what?? i really need some help. but in detail please. thanks!

[Midknyte]

the cache buffer holds data before it is burned to the disc. it's won't make the drive burn any faster. a larger cache should reduce the amount of errors, especially when doing a disc to disc copy. however, most drives have some kind of buffer underrun protection, so 2 mb may be sufficient for your needs.

[sk8erboy2237]

so there is really no bid difference or anything like that? so really no need for a 8M cache dvd burner?

[Midknyte]

if you plan on doing a lot of disc to disc copies, then it would be prudent to invest in the 8mb cache drive to reduce the chance of errors. otherwise, the 2mb version should be enough.

[Strawbs]

If my lite-on runs into a data supply issue mid-burn, the drive will pause the burn until the data flow restarts - saving on a wasted disk.

Plextor make quality drives, of that there's no doubt! But they can no longer justify their high prices without adding that little extra "gimmick". :rolleyes:

8mb cache on a drive that has burnproof technology is next to useless - you can still only burn at the rate the drive is supplied by the source.

[sk8erboy2237]

ok. thanks a ton!midknyte! hey check out my other topic "custome build computer..need alittle help" check out my computer im getting..tell me what you think. thanks again!

[Midknyte]

the plextors are kinda pricey. They're good, but I don't think it's worth double the cost.

if both drives are on the same IDE channel then the extra buffer should help, since the drives would be taking turns accessing the line. d2d copies with both drives on the same line is the only situation I can think of that may possibly take advantage of the extra cache. burnproof would take care of the errors, but the extra cache should help speed up the process. otherwise, 2mb is good enough.

I don't really like telling people what to buy, so I'll let the other sysopters help there.

[sk8erboy2237]

yeah..i thought 8M was fast and better..like HD is a 8M but you can get a 16M..but i gues iw as wrong huh? lol..yall should check out the comoputer im getting and tell me what yall think..so what are yalls computer specs?

[Someone Stupid]

Grab the NEC, the difference is negligable if even there for most of the time. NEC also has been making some quality DVD drives lately.

[apocalypse]

As long as the burners have some type of over buffer overrun technology in them (they both do) the 2 or 8 MB cache does not make a difference at all.

[TmDrak]

NEC 3540 2M caches are $42.00 = )

[Midknyte]

Don't double post.

[sk8erboy2237]

k sorry..my bad..i didn't know were it should go 1st so i just posted it in gamer..

[nchan10111]

I have noticing that while using a 8MB cache DVD-burner my computer has to spin down the drive less and can burn continously. a 8MB cache only makes the drive burn a few seconds faster.