Optical drives are simply the CDs and DVD drives. Optical drives are vital to the majority of computers these days. The majority of people use optical drives to write data to CD's and DVD's.

Different types of Optical Drives:

CD Writer

A CD Writer/CD ROM is an optical drive which allows you to read, write and re-write data onto a compact disc. For example if the speed of a CD Writer is 52 x 32 x 52 this means that you can read CD's at 52 speed, re-write CD's at 32 speed and write CD's at 52 speed.

DVD ROM

A DVD ROM/CD ROM is an optical drive which allows you to read both CD's and DVD's. If you do not have a DVD drive in your computer you will not be able to watch DVD movies, or read DVD's. 

DVD Writer

A DVD Writer is basically a drive that can do everything. A DVD writer can read DVD's, write DVD's and re-write DVD's. It can also read CD's, write CD's and re-write CD's.

CD Writer/DVD ROM (Combi Drive)

A CD Writer/DVD ROM (Combi Drive) is an optical drive which allows you to read, write and re-write data onto a compact disc. A CD Writer/DVD ROM (Combi Drive) can also read DVD's.

Possible Combinations

1. DVD ROM + DVD Writer (Recommended: You can perform every task necessary)
2. DVD ROM + CD Writer (For customers who need to write CD's, copy CD's, and read DVD's)
3. DVD ROM (For customers who only need to read CD's and DVD's)
4. CD Writer (For customers who only need to read and write CD's, but rarely copy CD's)
5. DVD Writer (For customers who need to read and write CD's and DVD's, but rarely copy CD's or DVD's)
6. CD Writer/DVD ROM Combi Drive (Option 3 & 4 combined into one drive)
7. CD Writer/DVD ROM Combi Drive + DVD Writer (Same as option 1, but with the facility to write CD's at the faster (52x) speed)

Graphics Card:

A graphics card is a component that produces video output to your computer screen and is therefore a vital part of our computer. Typically the more video RAM you grapgics card has, more powerful and crisp the video output will be on your screen. Also you need to look for a graphics card with a powerful GPU (graphics processing unit). You can also choose to have two graphics cards in your computer. This enables gaming enthusiasts to have up to double the power when matching two identical graphics cards which means an ultimate gaming experience!

When searching for the right graphics, you will be looking for a powerful processor and a large amount of RAM. For example:

• 256mb RADEON 9200
• 128mb RADEON 9800
• 256mb RADEON 9800 PRO

The RADEON 9800 PRO is the best, followed by the 9800 and then the 9200. Even though the RADEON 9800 only has half the memory of the RADEON 9200, the GPU on the 9800 is much more powerful, and in a gaming experience the game will be more realistic and more responsive.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• CPU Comparison: AMD Athlon or Intel Pentium? What is the difference?
• Digital TV cards and TV/Radio Tuners for Media Centre PCs
• DVI, Sound Cards, Network Cards, Wireless Adapters
• FDD, Case, Power Supply Unit
• Firewire, Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse
• Front Side Bus(FSB), Hyperthreading Technology (HT)
• Optical drives: CD, DVD, CD-RW, DVD Writers and Graphic Cards
• Hard disks: RAID Arrays and Striping
• RAM, Motherboards
• Windows Operating Systems: Comparison Tables
• Most common PC applications: Anti-virus, MS Office Suite