Optical Drive	SM-352	DVD-500M	DVD106	SD616	SDM1212	SM-308
Disk Type	DVD	DVD	DVD	DVD	DVD	DVD
Avg Speed:	6.42x	5.73x	5.74x	4.85x	4.52x	1.71x
Start Speed:	3.57	3.25x	-	-	-	1.76x
End Speed:	3.71	3.76x	-	-	-	1.74x
Type:	CAV	P-CAV	-	-	-	CLV
Random Seek Time:	103ms	90ms	98ms	81ms	111ms	103
1/3 Seek Time:	114ms	103ms	111ms	88ms	116ms	110
Full Seek Time:	178ms	178ms	187ms	158ms	187ms	346
CPU use: 1X	1%	3%	16%	20%	21%	58%
Disk Info:	7.8GB	7.8GB	-	-	-	7.8
Spin Up:	-	3.3sec	-	-	-	3.2
Spin Down:	-	2.1sec	-	-	-	2.4

As a DVD drive the Samsung SM-352 does quite well. It's easily the fastest of all DVD drives we have tested which puts it in good standing. CPU usage sits at just 1% which is lower than any other drive tested.

Conclusions:

Samsung's SM-352 52x24x52x16 CD-RW/DVD combo drive does live up to its speed ratings as you can see from the tests and offers a lot of value in one small space. Retailing for about $240 CDN, the drive may be a bit pricy for some consumers on a tight budget however.

The Samsung SM-352 supports all the standard writing methods like DAO, TAO, SAO and packet writing and can be used with 650MB, 700MB and 800MB CD-R's. With an 8MB frame buffer and Buffer Under Run Free technology, you will not get a coaster unless you happen to crash your PC while burning. During testing the SM-352 was near silent even when running 52x in the CD-R tests, but like other Samsung CD-RW's we tested in the past, the SM-352 does get a bit warm after prolonged use.

DVD playback is where the drive excels, with an average speed of 6.42x, and access times comparable to the Pioneer DVD-500M, the Samsung SM352 DVD-Combo doesn't lack for its CDR-RW qualities. If you're out of 5 1/4" drive bays the Samsung SM-352 52x24x52x16x CD-RW/DVD combo drive is a good option, and should fit in quite nicely next time you want to hunker down and watch the Matrix on your PC!

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