| There are many devices which can be used to store | | | | or External: You can choose between an internal or |
| or write data in your computer system. The options | | | | external CD writer. Internal drives are best suited for |
| include hard drives, USB/Firewire storage devices, CD | | | | desktop PCs and are the least expensive option. If |
| writers and DVD writers. Hard drives are a very | | | | you want portability and don't mind paying a little |
| essential (and delicate) piece of equipment and are a | | | | more, you can get a FireWire or USB 2.0 external |
| standard feature on most computers. CD writers are | | | | CD-RW drive. |
| also very common. USB/Firewire storage devices and | | | | DVD WritersDVD writers are the newest rage in the |
| DVD writers are currently getting more popular with | | | | consumer data storage market. They let you store |
| consumers.This article will give you some tips on | | | | up to 4.7GB on a single disc several times the |
| selecting proper data storage devices for your | | | | amount of on a CD-RW disc. So let's look at some |
| PC.Hard DrivesFirst, let's cover hard drives. We'll look | | | | factors to consider when purchasing a new DVD |
| at some hard drive terms like ATA and SCSI, as well | | | | drive. |
| as cover the factors to consider when buying a new | | | | |
| drive. | | | | Drive Speed: One factor to consider when buying |
| ATA and SCSI: Let's get some terminology out of | | | | DVD writers is drive speed. Most DVD-R drives write |
| the way before we go further. In the hard drive | | | | at 8X, with some older models supporting only 4X. |
| world, there are two data access standards, ATA | | | | Personally, I don't think there is significant speed |
| and SCSI (pronounced 'Scar-Zee'). The ATA standard | | | | difference between a 8X and 4X drive - so don't |
| is split further into Parallel ATA (PATA) and Serial | | | | spend extra money unnecessarily if you don't have |
| ATA (SATA). Most of normal hard drives we're used | | | | to.Compatibility |
| to rely on the PATA standard. Some newer hard | | | | There is a huge range of DVD media formats out |
| drives use the SATA standard.SATA allows transfer | | | | there (DVD+R, DVD-R,DVD+R DL), represented by |
| speeds of up to 150 MBs while PATA gives up to 133 | | | | various brands. You need to consider compatibility of |
| MBs. However, to use SATA, you'll need a Serial | | | | your DVD writer with these DVD discs. DVD-R and |
| ATA controller, a SATA drive and a SATA power | | | | DVD+R formats are both very compatible with |
| cable. The speed difference between PATA and | | | | existing DVD players and DVD-ROM drives - so try |
| SATA is also not significant unless you have a | | | | to get a player that supports those.Internal or |
| high-end SATA drive.The SCSI standard is a very | | | | External |
| fast hard drive standard used for professional | | | | You can choose between an internal or external |
| computer systems which demand extremely fast | | | | DVD writer. Internal drives are cheaper but it also |
| data access. SCSI drives provide an access time of | | | | means you need to deal with the installation hassle |
| about 9.5ms - which I feel is really not needed for | | | | and non-portability. External DVD writers come with |
| average home use.Disk Space vs. Price: An important | | | | Firewire or USB 2.0 interfaces and may well be a |
| factor to consider is the disk space versus price ratio. | | | | better choice if you need to move your data around |
| When you look at the 30 GB, 40 GB and 80 | | | | a lot. |
| GBPATA hard drives, you'll find they are very close in | | | | ConclusionTo purchase a good storage device, be it |
| price. If you don't mind paying an extra $20 or so, I'd | | | | a hard drive, CD writer or DVD writer, you need to |
| say go for the maximum disk space you can get! If | | | | consider what price you're willing to pay for a given |
| you do a lot of graphics or video editing, you may | | | | set of features. In my opinion, the DVD burner is |
| want to consider larger drives like the Seagate 160 | | | | fast becoming an essential item in the average home |
| GB hard drive. For the average home user, however, | | | | user's PC. If you're building a new computer, you |
| 40 GB to 80 GB of disk space is plenty.Drive Speed: | | | | should definitely consider buying a DVD writer on top |
| If data access speed is important to you, you can go | | | | of your standard hard drive. |
| for faster SATA drives or SCSI drives. But | | | | Favorite PicksUpgrade Your Computer Skills with |
| remember that these drives come at a price | | | | This VideoIf you want to learn how to build your |
| premium and may not be necessary for average | | | | own computer or troubleshoot general PC problems, |
| home use. Another option is to use a RAID setup | | | | you should check out this computer training video. |
| where multiple hard disks are used to gain drive | | | | Besides showing you the exact steps for installing |
| performance and/or data integrity. | | | | new hardware components, this video provides |
| CD WritersCD writers are practically standard issue | | | | important tips for repairing and upgrading your PC. |
| on all PCs these days. Prices are ridiculously cheap, so | | | | These tips include little gems like how to create boot |
| there's no reason not to get one, unless you prefer a | | | | disks, configure your BIOs or format a hard |
| DVD writer. | | | | drive.Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on building |
| | | | computers. Visit his website at for tips and tricks on |
| Drive Speed: For CD writers, you should generally | | | | assembling a PC, as well as buying good computer |
| look for a 40X record speed or faster. Anything | | | | components. |
| slower will cost you a lot of time burning CDs.Internal | | | | |