Write/ReWrite Tests
CD-R Based Duplication
Although the TEAC is the slowest of the bunch during the burn portion of our audio duplication test, it images our CD-DA over a minute faster than the next 12X competitor. Thus, its total duplication time of 12:57 is the fastest we've measured for a 12X drive, trailing the 16X Yamaha by only 13%.
When duplicating a data disc, the TEAC again performs well, finishing ahead of the other 12X burners. This time, however, its score is much closer to the 12X competition, leaving it just a few seconds ahead of the Sony CRX160E. It trails the 16X Yamaha by 17%.
CD-RW Based Duplication
When duplicating to CD-RW media, we found that the TEAC kept pace with the fastest 10X rewriters. The CD-W512E rewrites our 619 MB test disc in 7:55, 6 seconds faster than the Plextor siblings-the previous speed champs. Total duplication time is 11:08, nosing out the 10X Plextors and leaving Yamaha and Sony's 8X rewriters significantly behind.
CD-R Based Stress Tests
Our first stress test simulates a moderate system load while attempting to burn a 195 MB folder. This load consists of the popular first-person shooter Unreal Tournament cycling through its introductory sequence. To this day, every burner we have tested has been able to complete this test at its maximum speed. The TEAC is no exception.
Our second stress test represents a worst-case scenario. We attempt to burn the same 195 MB folder while Ziff-Davis' CPUmark99 test is executing. CPUMark99 completely loads all CPU, cache and memory subsystems, leaving few resources for anything else. The fastest the CD-W512E can complete this test is at 4X. Even so, the drive's buffer dipped below 10% at one point, barely escaping the dreaded buffer underrun. Could this have anything to do with the 2976 KB buffer that is detected by our benchmark software? Though it's possible, we cannot be certain. Previously tested drives with 4 MB buffers complete this test rather comfortably at 4X.
To date, the best we've seen from a drive without buffer underrun protection (such as BURN-Proof) is 4X, so the TEAC stands in good company.
DirectCD Formatting
The TEAC sets a new record in high-speed full formats, completing the DirectCD format in 13:11. Subsequent quick formats occur in about 40 seconds, quite acceptable.
DirectCD Packet-Writing Performance
The CD-W512E sets records in standard rewriting speeds. How does it fare when packet-writing to CD-RWs? It completes a 195 MB copy via Windows Explorer in 2:57, a hair slower than all-time leader Ricoh. Its performance lies somewhere between the MP9120A and the Plextors.
DirectCD CD-RW Erasing
Finally, the TEAC lags a bit when erasing our CD-RWs to a blank state, completing the erase in 55 seconds. In absolute terms, this is still quite acceptable, but comparatively it's dead last.
Conclusion...
