This is a topic that I know has been discussed previously, but I just installed my first DW1650 (CompUSA version) and am shocked at the noise coming from the drive while playing a CD. It is actually drowning out the music when I sit at the computer and the sound level is low. Even when standing 10 feet away, with my amped out ears, the noise is noticeable. I realize this is partially due to the disc spinning much faster than my 4 y.o. Lite-On CD-RW could spin it.

I am wondering if the noise is also a design byproduct. I noticed that when I cover the front of the drive with my hand the noise is reduced considerably. I also felt an air current when doing so, as in air entering the front of the drive. When laying a tissue across the drive bay opening in the tower with a disc spinning inside, the suction is enough to hold the tissue there by itself.

Is that normal for optical disc drives to do that ?
Is this unique to BenQs and part of the BenQ cooling system that they tout so proudly ?

I am assuming they are drawing air in from outside of the tower to cool the drive instead of using the hotter air inside of the tower. If that is the case, that shoots down my idea of silencing the drive by fabbing a cover to fit snug in the tower bay opening when it is in use.

What do you think ?

Thanks, KBX

I'd return that drive to COMPUSA and get another one. I have a rebadged 1650 from COMPUSA that is not noisy at all.

tried DriveSpeed yet? it's in the NeroTools folder. FWIW my 1650 is pretty quiet (but i dont play audio CD's with it).

Update on noise issue.
I was ready to return the drive to CompUSA, but tried the Nero suggestion first. In fact, I hadn't even installed Nero yet when first using it. So, I installed Nero and before tinkering with DriveSpeed it became silent while in use. Very nice, and better than I had expected.

I am still curious about the cooling system, see original post.
Can anyone enlighten me on that issue ?

Thanks for the help,
KBX