CharlieFoxtrot wrote on 2026-02-10, 07:24:

I have also ditched most the fastest CD-ROM drives because of the noise and slowing them down with software is just not optimal. As many here mentioned, 4x drives are generally quiet, but I recently installed Hitachi 8x drive (can't remember model outright) in place of 52x screamer and it is a huge improvement. I have couple of other 8x drives too and these are all fine, so I'd say that generally 12x or 10x and below will be pleasant to use. I've also noticed that generally DVD drivers are much quiter than fast CD-drives, at least all the models I have in use in my more modern systems (Slot A, Socket A). The problem with slower drives is that at least locally they seem to be increasingly difficult to find, so I tend to snatch these slower drives when ever something pops up cheap.

I think the most quiet drives I have are Creative branded Sony CDU33A 2x drive with Sony interface and MediaVision branded 2x SCSI Sanyo drive. They both just make very quiet hissing noises and are just magnificent. Both are relatively early drives and pretty much fine with 486 preriod correct builds where the performance of these drives isn't a limitation.

Looking up Hitachi models has now led me to something I need help refreshing my memory with. I looked up a manual online for a particular model and one of the audio ports isn't listed. I can't remember which of my previous threads it was discussed in, but when someone informed me about connecting to S/PDIF, I think they said something about some CD-ROM drives not having anything there where it would be...? But I can't remember the details. It isn't numbered/listed anyway.

I don't need to worry about whether my next drive has an S/PDIF port though as my current one can handle that. Just need a memory refresher.