HD and CDRW on same IDE channel?

[OK]

Hey,

I'm building a new system. I'm wondering if it is OK to put a HD as primary master and a CDRW as a primary slave. Will it slow down the HD?

Thanks.

[MJCfromCT]

yes, the hard drive will be slowed down

it is best to keep your hard drive(s) on a separate IDE channel from cd-rom drive(s)

[OK]

Thanks for that one.

However. I only have one 80-pin cable (and a couple of 40 pin ones). I'm installing a DVD-player and a CDRW on the second HD channel. Will a 40 pin cable be up to that job? I need my 80 pin cable for the HD.

[MJCfromCT]

good call...

Use the 80 pin for the HDD and the 40 for the CD drives. It'll definately be up to the job

[OK]

Thanks for your help, it's been very useful.

[BipolarBill]

Actually, the CDRW drive will only slow the HDD when you're actually using the CDRW. Popular misconception.

[Midknyte]

This should back up BPB:
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/if/ide/confTiming-c.html

I would put the dvd on the primary slave. that would make for faster on-the-fly copies.

[OK]

I've already assembled the system with the CD/DVD as secondary master/slave now. So you guys recommend I change it?

If I do as Midknyte suggests, will the DVD-player get the drive letter before the CDRW, or can I change that?

btw, I have an Abit NF7-S v2.0 motherboard.

I should add that all three storage devices are brand new.

[BipolarBill]

Yes it will get the first available drive letter, but you can change that. In either Device Manager or Disk Management depending on the Windows version.