Does it matter what dvd drive you get for your computer?

Question

I need to replace my dvd drive and I was wondering if it matters what one you get or does it have to have certain specs and stuff?

I was thinking about getting the

LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DH-16D3S-04

is that one good?

Answer 1

Lite-On is a very good brand. As is LG (for their DVD burners anyway). Some LG's I find can be a little easier to find and sometimes a little cheaper. But if you would like the Lite-On then go for it. I don't foresee it causing you any problems.  

Answer 2

Nope, they should all fit and the drivers are included in the box.

Answer 3

The biggest thing you need to consider is if your motherboard supports IDE (only) or SATA (only).

Otherwise, it is a matter of personal preference and what you want/need the drive to do.

The drive you have listed above is a SATA drive and you want to make sure your motherboard supports SATA drives.  If it doesn't there is a similar IDE drive to the one you mention above (which is what I have)

If this is a "pre-built" computer like HP, Dell, etc.  Then just post the Make and Model and we can look at the motherboard information to tell you that.

Or

If the computer is no longer under warranty you can open the case and look at the cable coming from the back of the current drive in the system.

If it looks like a flat, gray "ribbon" like cable:

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=...

It is IDE.  If it a red cable, it is SATA:

http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2&hl...