"..The DVD-ROM drive sells for about $120, while the 40X sells around $60. While the 40X is faster, I would put my money on the DVD-ROM drive. Why? For starters, it can read DVD-ROMs, and do it very quickly. It is very fast (though not as fast as the 40X), but it does not suffer from the cavitation that the 40X does. One of the things that I noticed above all else is how quiet the DVD-ROM drive is compared to the 40X. When the 40X takes a disk and winds up, you think the thing is taking off! It is just plain loud! While playing Diablo, the drive is always running, and after a while you would think that you were going deaf! It is that loud! The DVD-ROM drive is whisper quiet and does not disturb you with the noise and the shaking of the drive. All in all, I would get the DVD-ROM drive. It may not be as fast, but for the extra money you get a little piece of mind due to the fact that you can read any media out there and your ears won?t self-destruct on you.."