Writer For Older CPU, Possible??

[usaf64]

Dear Forum Folks: A few months back I came across this wonderful site and have already purchased a standalone DVD Recorder.

Now, after heavy reviews of 'ripping' DVD's for backup purposes, it seems that this can only be done on a computer--with great results I might add. Here is my current challenge (read limiting factor).

My CPU is an older,1999 Dell, PIII, 500MHz, XP type with all bays/slots full. I do have a firewire connection, two hard disc drives and sufficient memory. So I started reviewing the Writer Lists over on the left had side.

First I started looking at external DVD Writers with a USB or a FireWire connections. Of the units that indicated the mimimun CPU system requirements, it started at Intell 800MHz and higher--same for internal DVD writers. Unforetunately the Pioneer units, both internal and external did not give this info on their sites.

I am willing to remove my Internal CD Burner and replace it with a CD/DVD Writer but have never come across a replacement unit that would work with my PIII 500 machine.

Does anyone know of a DVD Writer, External or internal that would work wioth my current CPU. I have tried contacting Dell to see what I could do with respect to changing the current 500MHz processor with whatever the motherboard would handle--but I guess because of its age, they have never responded. Truely, any guidance would be helpful!

[yoda313]

Hello,

P3 - yes. I run a 4x microadvantage on a amd 850mhz. Your problem will be running newer burning apps. Though I'm sure you'll be able to find ones that will work for you (try ebay ).


Kevin

[Capmaster]

My advice to you would be to upgrade that PC. A P3-500 won't cut it anymore.

If that isn't possible, I think you can use a modern writer with your CPU, but ......BUT .....you are likely to have it constantly suspending the write waiting for the buffer to fill back up.

The buffer staying full is dependent on HD transfer speed, MB bus speed, HD interface speed and, to a lesser extent, CPU speed.

It will be a frustrating experience for you, and will likely make the writer wear out sooner from all the starts and stops a typical burn will involve.

[babyboo]

I have an old Dell XPST 600 P3 W98SE with a Lite-On 411S that works well. I never had any problems with that configuration. Burning has never been an issue. Editing and encoding was an entirely different issue that prompted me to update my PC...but as far as strictly burning, I never had a problem.

[IAmNotAPirate]

I have a Celeron 700mhz with Windows ME and only 192mb RAM. I am using an Optorite DD1205 and I have no problem burning. I can rip at 5-6x. Encoding can take an excruciating long time (30 minutes to 2 hours), but many of my backups don't need to be shrunk.

So it can be done, but I am going to upgrade soon.

[mats.hogberg]

I don't think there will be any problem. As said earlier, processor isn't that crucial when it comes to burning. OK, DVDs are written at a much higher data rate than CDs, but hell, we wrote CDs on a 486DX 33MHz, didn't we?

/Mats

[disturbed1]

233/266 is just fine for 4x burning. Tested, and doing it daily with an A05 on a PII 233/266 with 64mb of ram running WIN2K.

PIII 600 works just fine using an NEC 2500, 256mb RAM WIN2k.

The PIII 600 also works fine burning with Linux, but the 233 is to damn slow for me to bare with a Linux GUI (Gnome or ICEWM), once the GUI finally loads, 4x burns are no problem either.

All you are doing in transfering data. Any solid Intel based motherboard with ATA 33 is more than enough. Just use a light weight burner, like DVD Decrypter, to burn your images with.

The CPU requirements are listed for the bundled software, not the burner itself.

[lechtin]

I second disturbed1's opinion. The requirements are usually for the software that comes with your burner, not the burner itself. I have run a Sony DRU500A burner in an external case off my PII 300MHz laptop connected through the USB 1.0 interface...

[ofbarea]

You can also upgrade your CPU to something faster. Last week I updated a Dell Optiplex GX1 with a PIII 500Mhz to a Celeron 1.4Ghz using a Powerleap PL-iP3T adapter. You can also use a Powerleap SlotWonder. I just did a quick search in eBay and some of these adapters are selling for less than $90. For this adapter to work I had to go back to an older Bios version, from A10 to A07. That’s the only modification I had to do. Finally always buy and upgrade adapter that includes the CPU because the adapter comes assembled.

Remember that before buying go to the PoweLeap site and check verify if your machine is compatible ( www.powerleap.com ).

Just go to eBay and look for powerleap. These two are examples that will probably work with your machine.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16180&item=6736064727&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16180&item=6735591296&rd=1