Optical Drives Explained: Do You Still Need One?
Optical drives—such as DVD and Blu-ray drives—were once standard in nearly every computer. While many modern systems no longer include them by default, optical drives can still be useful depending on how you plan to use your system. This guide explains the different types of optical drives and helps you decide whether adding one to your custom-built PC makes sense for you.
What Is an Optical Drive?
An optical drive reads (and sometimes writes) data using a laser and removable discs such as CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs. These drives are commonly used for media playback, software installation, data backups, and accessing older archives.
When configuring a custom PC, optical drives are typically optional—so understanding the differences can help you choose the right one, or confidently skip it altogether.
DVD Drive (Read-Only)
A standard DVD drive allows you to read DVDs and CDs, but it cannot write or record data. This option is best suited for users who need to:
- Watch DVD movies
- Install older software from disc
- Access archived data stored on DVDs or CDs
If you only need occasional disc access and don’t plan to create discs, a DVD read-only drive may be sufficient.
DVD-RW (DVD Rewritable) Drive
A DVD-RW drive can both read and write DVDs and CDs. This makes it a more flexible option for users who want to:
- Create physical backups
- Burn audio or video discs
- Transfer files using optical media
DVD-RW drives are a popular choice for business users, legacy workflows, or anyone who still relies on physical media.
Blu-ray Drive
Blu-ray drives support high-capacity optical discs and are commonly used for high-definition movie playback and large data storage. In addition to Blu-ray discs, these drives are typically backward compatible with DVDs and CDs.
A Blu-ray drive is ideal if you want to:
- Watch Blu-ray movies on your PC
- Access large software packages or archives on Blu-ray discs
Blu-ray Writer (Blu-ray RW)
Blu-ray writers add the ability to record and rewrite Blu-ray discs, offering much higher capacity than DVDs. These drives are useful for:
- High-capacity offline backups
- Media production and archiving
- Long-term data storage on physical media
If you need reliable, offline storage or work with large media files, a Blu-ray writer can be a powerful addition.
Do You Actually Need an Optical Drive?
Many modern users no longer require optical drives thanks to USB flash drives, cloud storage, and digital downloads. However, you may still want an optical drive if you:
- Have an existing collection of CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs
- Use legacy software distributed on disc
- Prefer offline, physical backups
- Watch movies from physical media
If none of these apply, you can safely skip an optical drive and rely on external USB options if the need ever arises.
Internal vs. External Optical Drives
When configuring a custom PC, optical drives can be installed internally (space permitting) or used externally via USB. External drives offer flexibility and portability, while internal drives provide a clean, always-connected solution.
If you’re unsure, many customers choose to omit an internal optical drive and add an external USB drive later only if needed.
Need Help Choosing?
If you’re not sure whether an optical drive makes sense for your system, we’re happy to help. Our custom-built systems can be configured with or without optical drives, and we can recommend the best option based on your workflow and needs.