MSI DR8-A: The Plextor 708A's little brother

Burn Tests DVD+R Media

Higher burn speed averages are better.

RICOHJPNR00 - 2.4X DVD+R
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	2.41X	4.38GB	CLV
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	2.43X	4.38GB	CLV
LiteOn LDW-411S	2.41X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR4-A	2.41X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR8-A	2.41X	4.38GB	CLV
NEC 1300A	2.41X	4.38GB	CLV
Nu Tech DDW-081	2.46X	4.38GB	CLV
Plextor 708A	2.42X	4.38GB	CLV
Sony DRU-530A	2.41X	4.38GB	CLV

MCC 002 - 4X DVD+R
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
LiteOn LDW-411S	4.02X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR4-A	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR8-A	6.36X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
NEC 1300A	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
Nu Tech DDW-081	7.62X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
Plextor 708A	7.67X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
Sony DRU-530A	4.02X	4.38GB	CLV

MCC 003 - 8X DVD+R
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	4.02X	4.38GB	CLV
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
LiteOn LDW-411S	4.02X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR4-A	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR8-A	6.78X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
NEC 1300A	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
Nu Tech DDW-081	7.62X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
Plextor 708A	7.72X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
Sony DRU-530A	6.63X	4.38GB	Z-CLV

RICOHJPNR01 - 4X DVD+R
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
LiteOn LDW-411S	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR4-A	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR8-A	6.81X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
NEC 1300A	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
Nu Tech DDW-081	7.65X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
Plextor 708A	7.20X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
Sony DRU-530A	4.05X	4.38GB	CLV

YUDEN000T01 - 4X DVD+R
Drive	Average Burn	Length	Mode
ASUS DRW-0402P/D	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
Gigabyte GO-W0404A	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
LiteOn LDW-411S	4.01X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR4-A	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
MSI DR8-A	6.80X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
NEC 1300A	4.00X	4.38GB	CLV
Nu Tech DDW-081	7.66X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
Plextor 708A	7.65X	4.38GB	Z-CLV
Sony DRU-530A	4.03X	4.38GB	CLV

We were very pleased that the MSI DR8-A recognized the 8X write descriptor for "MCC 002"" media. 4X MCC002 is much more prevalent than the official 8X "MCC 003". We did not get the same speed as Plextor or NuTech, but there was still an advantage over other more expensive drives.

Looking at the RICOHJPR01 speed test, we can see that the reason Plextor and NuTech score higher speeds on their write tests is due to how it manages its Zone CLV mode. Sony's DRU-530A performs very conservatively as well, even on 8X "MCC003". The NuTech DDW-081 and Plextor 708A are very aggressive in how they recalibrate the burn speed on the fly.