NEC 3550 Firmware Update 1.07

[Chewy]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151151

and the free shipping doesn't come up very often, might have immature firmware tho

the sata version of this drive is getting rave reviews from the geeks

this pata model only burns dl at 12x tho

[Dr Klovernutz]

chewy,

whick specific models of samsung?

what about LG:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136119&Tpk=lg%2bgsa%2bh54nk

were you interested in seeing the results of the Nero CD/DVD speed tests of the NEC3550A or should I just bag that burner and order a new one?

[Dr Klovernutz]

I don't have sata interface.... only IDE

[Chewy]

use my link, that's a pata drive not sata on my link

the lg is good also but they don't do quality scans

buy a new drive and keep the nec in use for now but don't count on it much

[Dr Klovernutz]

is there mod rpc1 firmware for the drive you list?

know what's funny
the NEC 3550A was a replace ment for a NEC 1100 (that I modded to NEC1300)
meanwhile the HL-DT-ST DVD-ROM GDR8162B that originally came with my computer is still in there with no problems (that I know of...) That's the drive I was using when I had problems reading discs with the NEC3550A.. oh well then again I use the NEC WAY more (both reading and burning). Guess it just wore out, I can guarentee I burned well over 1300 DVDs with it

If there isn't mod firmware for the drive you listed, should I still get it? (i want to order today)

BTW, I am looking at adding more RAM and a Power Supply
currently I have:
250W powersupply
1 G ddr PC3200 RAM (256 x4; i have dual channels)


I wanted to go with a 350 - 500W PS (i also plan to add/ replace my video card)

as for ram, my max is 4G, I either want to go 512 x 4 or 1G x4

this is the last upgrade for this system (Dell P4 4600) .
what do u recommend? price/ quality wise or what do you recommend I stay away from?

I appreciate you input, I find you information to be quite accurate and relaible.

thanks

[Chewy]

you will have a hard time finding a good new dvd burner with rpc1 firmware

lg's especially

not sure about samsung?

go to the dangerous brothers site

[Dr Klovernutz]

are NEC's no more?

what do u think about Lite On or philips?

[Chewy]

nec's still exist but have fallen further out of favor quality wise

liteon's are probably the next best bet to samsung

phillips is real iffy since you never know what's actually being sold anymore

why region free firmware?

[Dr Klovernutz]

not really super concerned about the region free (nice to know i can watch whatever i want in MY dvd player, plus i hate having that 5 times chage limit)

I read the reviews of the samsung, I'm not totally sold on it. IMO the hardest part is picking out a burner (i mean 40-50 dollars is not much of a jump..)

what about Ben-Q (i remember them being top of the line)

[Chewy]

http://club.cdfreaks.com/showpost.php?p=1857569&postcount=36

forget the noobs at newegg

[Dr Klovernutz]

I take it those are good results. And that is for the one (samsung) you suggested (i don't see a model number on newegg's page)

do you know where i could turn for info re:
Ram (i have 1 gig, should i go for 2G or 4 G total, will price justify cost?....)
PSU
video card

I plan on placing an order today. I think I'm just gonna get everything today and be done with it, and i think all around neweggg has the best prices all around.

[Chewy]

no point in putting more ram in that old a system, few things but gaming need more than 1 gig on a single core cpu

now the power supply is essential for good dvd burning

it uses a standard one, good

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171018

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182018

they'll have extra plugs for newer computers but will be backwardsly compatible

might pull it out later anyway

[Dr Klovernutz]

wow ur the newegg master (i have been searching all day and didn't find these!!)

1. what do u recommed for a video card for this system? Dell 4600
currently i have a NVidia fx5200 (i really wanna upgrade this, most games play smoothly only on the lowest settings) I know I have an AGP (8x) according to Everest, but im confused about 4x/8x/8x pre/ pci express, etc.

2. as for RAM Im thinking 4 sticks of 512 maintain dual channel) I think 4G would be a waste of $$


for a different project, where can i find a cheap IDE HD (size not important, actually 40 Ggii would be perfect, but for like $10 more you can get a 80G).....

[Chewy]

I would just build a new computer before upgrading much more stuff

the newer ram is cheaper and faster, your cpu is going to bottle neck anything

a new agp card locks you into older motherboards

the amd 939 mobos w/agp w/ddr1 are not an option anymore for a good build

the amd am2 mobos with ddr2 and pci-e video are the standard as is sata hard drives

for example

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231012

$130
or ddr2

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231012

65$

right there you have saved enough for a new cpu or an entry level mobo

[Dr Klovernutz]

hmmmm
i did want to wait on building a new comp

i wanted to just upgrade this one..........

you may be right in the long run but i think for like $200-$250 i could really revive this 4600
what do u think???

what about a new P4
currently i have a 2.6 Hyper thread

would i need new heatsink and fan if i went to a 3.4 P4??