Burning DVDs = High CPU usage

[Zxian]

Hey everyone,

I've just got a quick question to see if I have to do some debugging/troubleshooting.

I bought a new DVD burner a couple of weeks ago, and all went well when it was installed. Windows detected the device and installed the drivers automatically.

I'm just wondering about what the normal amount of CPU usage is for when I'm actually burning a DVD. CDs burn fine with Nero using ~10% of the CPU at 40x burning, but with a 4x DVD, Nero itself only uses about 7%, but task manager shows the CPU using about 50-60%, not assigned to any process. This CPU usage starts after the files have been cached and lasts for the duration of the burn.

I'm using Nero 6.6.0.12 and my system specs are as follows:

Athlon 1333MHz

512MB PC2700 RAM

40GB 4200RPM HD

LG GSA-4163B DVD Burner(Link)

I've only done about 5 DVDs so far, and I've done them all on Maxell 4x DVD-Rs.

I'm just curious if this is because my CPU isn't all that powerful and there may be more going on during a DVD burn. I really have no clue and would just like to know if there's any cause for concern.

Thanks in advance!

[boooggy]

i will say is not normal but your hard drive is kinda slow... so i think the burner is using a lot the buffer underrun. so that could be the cause.

[puntoMX]

4200rpm 40GB HDD? That’s a 2.5" drive?

It’s the high I/O traffic, that’s the problem. And like boooggy says, your hard drive isn’t giving enough information to the DVD burner. I would burn the DVDs on 2.4 speed or buy a new HDD. Other then that, your situation is normal .

[Zxian]

It's a standard 3.5" drive, but yes it is quite slow. The system itself is about 3 years old...

I have noticed that the buffer does tend to jump around quite a bit during the burn.

Once I save up a bit of pocket money from my new job, I'll get a bigger and faster hard drive.

Thanks for the input!

[boooggy]

one question: what mobo do u have?

[puntoMX]

It's a standard 3.5" drive, but yes it is quite slow. The system itself is about 3 years old...

I have noticed that the buffer does tend to jump around quite a bit during the burn.

Once I save up a bit of pocket money from my new job, I'll get a bigger and faster hard drive.

Thanks for the input!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Then it´s a 5400rpm drive

[Zxian]

@boooggy:

It's a Soyo K7ADA mobo.

@puntoMX:

Nope... 3.5" Seagate 40 GB 4200 RPM, that's what Everest tells me.

[boooggy]

i think is also the mainboard. try a bios update...

also this driver

[fillalph]

Zxian: Check out my stats for my desktop which has the Benq DVD burner. Although the burner has a small cache, I can't do anything else with the buffer dropping. Even hitting the Start button can do that. I am burning at 12x though, but still. I personally find that DVD burners use up a lot of resources.

]Bonkers[

[puntoMX]

@puntoMX:

Nope... 3.5" Seagate 40 GB 4200 RPM, that's what Everest tells me.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

LOL, Then Everest has a bug . beleve me, it´s a 5400rpm, but suit your self, search with google and you will see that there are no 4200rpm 3.5" 40GB drives .

[Zxian]

Hrm... I guess Everest does have a strange bug in it... The label on the HD says 5400RPM...

Well, it goes to show you that you can't take computers for granted...

[RJARRRPCGP]

Make sure UDMA is enabled for the CD drive!

[puntoMX]

Other thing, how are the cables connected? Try to use 2 IDE cables and some times it’s better to put the drives on CS (Cable select).

[bledd]

yes this is normal, i'd get an 80gb WD SE drive, you'll REALLY notice the difference in all applications, or just defrag your drive often before burning..

[Zxian]

Yep, UDMA is enabled.

I've got my hard drive connected to IDE0 - Master, the DVD burner o IDE1-Master, and a CD-RW drive connected to IDE1-Slave. So yes, they are separate cables and IDE connections. I remember reading somewhere that you can only access one IDE device at a time per IDE slot, so I have the two biggies on separate slots.

I defrag my drive fairly often... probably once every 3-4 days, but thanks for the input.