External 2.0 USB CD/DVD reader/burner VS 3.0 USB?

[jaymes2015]

Should I buy a 2.0 usb or 3.0 usb? I just need a portable external cd/dvd reader/burner. I don't know what the difference it will make. I'm having a feeling like maybe the 3.0 will burn faster and read the disc faster. Any suggestions?

 

[nitinvaid20]

USB 3.0 has faster speed and features then the USB2.0 go for the new one

 

[t53186]

The maximum data transfer for USB 2.0 is 60MB/s , USB 3.0 is 625MB/s. These are the max theoretical speeds, so USB 3.0 is faster. Only drawback is if you wanted to boot and install an operating system, then USB 2.0 for comparability is the way to go

 

[jaymes2015]

sounds like i might need both. 2.0 for reboot. 3.0 for burning and reading.

 

[bloodroses]

USB 2.0 will work fine for burning and reading; I have a 2.0 and my friend has a 3.0. Due to CD/DVD speeds, you will not notice a difference between 2.0 and 3.0. This includes burning.

With that said, if the USB 3.0 device is around the same price as the 2.0, go for the 3.0 since they are compatible back and forth.

 

[jaymes2015]

the prices i've seen are only a few bucks different

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Be aware that a USB 3.0 burner will perform like a USB 2.0 one if it's plugged in to a USB 2.0 port . It'll need to be plugged in to a USB 3.0 port to get full performance potential from it (an important point, especially where disc-burning is concerned).

And, no, you won't need to buy two burners -- it's perfectly possible to boot from/install OS from either a USB 2.0 or a USB 3.0 CD/DVD drive - - either will do it.

In any case, you can install Windows from a USB pen drive these days (Windows 7 or later), so you don't need to use an optical drive at all for that task any more.

May I ask why you need an external one? Is it for the convenience of being able to use it on different computers?

 

[bloodroses]

Be aware that a USB 3.0 burner will perform like a USB 2.0 one if it's plugged in to a USB 2.0 port . It'll need to be plugged in to a USB 3.0 port to get full performance potential from it (an important point, especially where disc-burning is concerned).

And, no, you won't need to buy two burners -- it's perfectly possible to boot from/install OS from either a USB 2.0 or a USB 3.0 CD/DVD drive - - either will do it.

In any case, you can install Windows from a USB pen drive these days (Windows 7 or later), so you don't need to use an optical drive at all for that task any more.

May I ask why you need an external one? Is it for the convenience of being able to use it on different computers?

DVD at 1x 1.32mb/sec, this includes burning speeds
CD at 1x 0.15mb/sec, this includes burning speeds

USB 2.0 = 60mb/sec
So, before the USB 2.0 interface gets saturated, a DVD would have to be going over 45x. Fastest burners go at 16x.

Unless you're dealing with Blu-Ray, USB 2.0 is plenty fast enough to handle CD/DVD.

 

[jaymes2015]

some of my computers doesn't have internal disc drive that's why. plus i think its great having one aside (i'm cheap)

but i just thought i asked if the 3.0 is worth buying over the 2.0