If you will be gaming on it, a dvd drive is essential Though you could have an external one. I Havent even one bay free on my modern PC because I watch blu rays on it.

I thought above forgoing optimal media in my own P4 build. But after researching some of the limitations of ISO mounting re: CD audio, I decided to stick with optical media.

Shponglefan wrote on 2024-05-10, 20:29:

I thought above forgoing optimal media in my own P4 build. But after researching some of the limitations of ISO mounting re: CD audio, I decided to stick with optical media.

Oh, interesting. Would this audio be played over the analog cable from optical to sound card? ...it's been a while since I've used '98, I don't remember how everything worked yet.

aeeaan wrote on 2024-05-10, 21:04:

Oh, interesting. Would this audio be played over the analog cable from optical to sound card? ...it's been a while since I've used '98, I don't remember how everything worked yet.

Yes, it's the CD audio that is played via that analog cable.

From what I remember researching, it sounded like it could be hit or miss whether games could play back CD audio from an ISO file. I decided to err on the side of caution and stick with an optical drive.

Personally while all my PC's have a optical drive I hardly use it. Most my games don't use CD audio and the few that do I go without.
however while not perfect you can get cd audio over DaemonTools
DaemonTools No CD Audio

Cool, I'll check out the thread.

Right after I started this thread, I found what I think is a good compromise case. Fractal Design Pop, it has hidden 5.25 bay suitable for occasional use and still looks like a modern trendy case. I imagine modern trendy cases aren't a big desire around here, but it's nice to have that option should I choose to not go with something more traditional.

Fractal Designs makes good stuff. They're reasonably popular around here. One of the few modern case manufacturers that has cases with 5.25 bays.