Nero CD Speed: DVD+RW	Source: Ahead Software

Nero's CD Speed burn tests a DVD+RW rated to 2.4-4x. The disc is burned with files of about 4.7GB in size. This test is done by simply placing the blank recording media into the burner and running CD Speed. The software will detect the type of DVD media and run the appropriate test.

Nero CD Speed: DVD+RW
DVD+RW

Nero CD Speed: DVD+RW Benchmark Results
Optical Drive	Gigabyte GO-W1616A	MSI DR16-B	AOpen DRW8800	Gigabyte GO-W0808A	LG GSA-4082B
Media	DVD+RW	DVD+RW	DVD+RW	DVD+RW	DVD+RW
Media Write Speed:	4x	4x	4x	4x	4x
Avg Speed:	4.05	4x	4.30	4.02	4x
Start Speed:	3.98	3.99x	4.30	3.96	4x
End Speed:	4.09	4x	4.30	4.05	4x
Type	CLV	CLV	CLV	CLV	CLV

Considering our DVD+RW disc is only rated for 4x operation (faster media was not available), I'd say the Gigabyte GO-W1616A lived up to expectations.

Nero CD Speed: DVD+R DL	Source: Ahead Software

Nero's CD Speed burn tests a DVD+R DL rated at 2.4x. The program emulates a burn that would fill the disc with 8.5GB of data. This test is done by simply placing blank recording media into the burner and running CD Speed the software.

Nero CD Speed: DVD+R DL
DVD+RW

Nero CD Speed: DVD+R DL Benchmark Results
Optical Drive	Gigabyte GO-W1616A	MSI DRI6-B	LG GSA-4120B
Media	DVD+R DL	DVD+R DL	DVD+R DL
Media Write Speed:	2.4x	2.4x	2.4x
Avg Speed:	4.3x	2.4	2.4
Start Speed:	2.4x	2.39	2.4
End Speed:	5.74x	2.4	2.4
Type	CAV	CLV	CLV

It's interesting to see here that the Gigabyte GO-W1616A could burn a dual-layer disc faster than its rated speed!

Dual Layer DVD - the next phase in optical media storage

If you're thinking about buying a DVD burner, now is an excellent time to upgrade to a Dual Layer capable model. Competition has driven prices down considerably while features and performance have increased. While 8.5GB dual-layer recordable DVD media is hard to source out, the prices are at least in the acceptable range now.

Gigabyte's GO-W1616A dual-layer DVD burner shows off a good mix of performance and ease of use. With the drive only 17cm in length, users with cramped/SFF cases should be able to install the GO-W1616A easily. Additionally, during operation the drive was very quiet and did not produce much vibration either.

When it comes to reading/writing CDs and DVDs, the Gigabyte GO-W1616A is a decent performer without any significant flaws to dwell on. The drive is supposed to only support up to 4x dual layer DVD burning, but during testing the drive went as high as 5.74x at the end of a test with a 2.4x disc! Not bad, and there were no errors reported either.

We're not sure what the Gigabyte GO-W1616A will sell for yet, but it does come in retail packaging, meaning it will be slightly more expensive than the average OEM drive. The Gigabyte GO-W1616A is a strong drive for both new and experienced computer users, with excellent 8.5GB dual-layer DVD burning abilities.

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