Asus & LG 32-speed CD-RWs

It isn't only processors that are getting faster - CD writers are receiving the speed treatment too. The Asus CRW3212A is capable of writing CDs at 32-speed, CD-RWs at 12-speed and reading CDs at 40-speed. The LG GCE-8320B is the same, although it can only manage a 10-speed write on CD-RWs.

Both drives feature buffer underrun protection systems. Asus calls its technology Flextralink, and LG Superlink. Interestingly, the Asus drive only comes with a 2Mb buffer, while the LG boasts 8Mb.

If you bear in mind that at 32-speed a CD-writer is transferring 4.8Mbytes/sec from the source to the media, a 2Mb buffer doesn't seem very large, even with buffer underrun protection.

On the software side Asus supplies a copy of Ahead Nero 5.5 and In CD v.2.31. It's worth noting that this version of In CD doesn't work with Windows XP.

LG, on the other hand, supplies a copy of Roxio's Easy CD Creator 5 Basic, which doesn't include the ability to create video CDs and CD labels like Ahead's Nero.

LG's offering clearly takes the lead in CD-R performance, beating the Asus by a good 30 seconds. On the other hand, the Asus is more than four minutes faster than the LG on packet writing, due to its faster rewrite speed.

Both drives are very fast at reading CDs, as they managed to do our Paint Shop Pro browse, consisting of 44 tifs totalling 203Mb, in around one minute.

What our tests show is that CD-RW drives are fast going the way of other PC components: the price and software package is as important as the performance. On this basis, LG's writer comes out on top.

DETAILS

Asus CRW3212A

Price: £111.63 (£95 ex VAT)

Contact: Asus 0870 429 3120 www.asus.com.tw

Pros: Fast on CD-RW.

Cons: Not as fast on CD-Rs as the LG; small buffer.

Score: ****

LG GCE-8320B

Price: £82.25 (£70 ex VAT)

Contact: LG Electronics 0870 607 5544 www.lge.co.uk

Pros: Excellent price; large buffer.

Cons: Not the latest CD-RW technology.

Score: *****