The multi-format DVD drive from Gigabyte is positioned by the manufacturer as one of the least noisy. It really doesn’t “whistle” or “whine” when operating at low speeds like some of its other brethren, and at maximum speeds the noise becomes quite noticeable. This happens, in particular, during peak spin-up of the DVD-R in the recording test, the speed of which is the highest for this drive among all tested.
The drive also demonstrates good performance when burning CD-Rs (average speed 29.6x). and also when reading it – and it is a record one (38.29x). But when reading 16x speed and 24 speed dual-layer DVD+Rs, it is not up to par.
The advantages of the drive include a headphone output and a volume control, although today this is, perhaps, more of a tribute to tradition than an option that seriously affects the functionality and ease of use.
