Just a brief warning to everybody: My trusty old Sony optiarc DVD writer died on my so I searched the web for a new DVD writer, possibly a bit more silent.
The ASUS DRW-24F1MT was recommended as silent on my shop's site (and readily available), so I got one and put it into my PC. It probably is a bit less noisy during operation, BUT: when not in use, there is a tiny little, short wheeze every 2 minutes or so (with and without a disc inside). Sounds like the centre spindle starting up. It is just audible out of my otherwise dead silent R5 (idling or doing light stuff) and drove me nuts pretty quickly.
After a very short time I exchanged it with a SAMSUNG SH-224FB, which is a bit louder during operation, but otherwise does not make itself noticeable.
I do have a USB DVD drive, but I don't like the hassle with plugging and it is slower, so I like having an installed SATA drive.
ASUS DRW-24F1MT DVD writer is noisy
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