DVD. probably not. But Blu-Ray, definitely. Unless movies start coming on either SD cards (music already does, here) or flash drives, I don't want to give up my optical drive.

I meant Blu-Ray / DVD drive really, I don't see the need for an internal, just sits there slowing the boot and taking power, only to be used maybe 5 times year for me    

  I'm using Flash drives, I have a SSD for storage and also a standard Drive I can copy to.  I haven't used the DVD for anything in years, don't think it's even worth disconnecting and I won't invest in an external if I don't use the existing one.  Motors in the DVD would consume most of the power, electronics should be next to nothing.
  Anyways the vid was talking about the older legacy drives, thanks.
Carl2

Well I still think it's a good idea, if and when I do a new build with an M.2 SSD I will consider an external DVD / Blu-Ray than plug it in when needed, spinning drives are so last decade. IMHO

Quote from: Carl2 on September 29, 2015, 23:55:24 PM
  Anyways the vid was talking about the older legacy drives, thanks.

Yes I know Carl2, I just wonder if it's worth getting an internal DVD / Blu-Ray these days.

A DVD / Blu-Ray on idle can consume about 5 watts (I googled it, the same as leaving the light on in my bathroom all day, every day), you know me, Mr super efficient, every little helps   

So yeah, something like this £20 (at time of posting) drive should be fine for me on my next build with an M.2 SSD.

External Slim BluRay BD ROM

My only issue with using an external optical drive is simply one of desk space. For me, there's a serious real estate issue involved that more or less precludes the use of such an external drive. Considering the size of the case that I use, it's far better for me to simply use an internal drive, instead. That said, however, I can see your point. But I have to wonder what the power requirement comparison is between internal and external drive. If efficiency is your primary goal, you may still be better off with an internal drive; even if you only use it five times a year.

  I go with Dave, if and when I needed that external drive I probably wouldn't even be able to find it. 
Carl2

Quote from: DaveMorton on September 30, 2015, 12:53:51 PM
I have to wonder what the power requirement comparison is between internal and external drive.

I will try to explain one more time 

An internal drive will sit in the PC using about 5 watts on idle (all the time).

An external drive will live in my computer drawer not plugged in to anything until I need it.

In a perfect world I would also like to minimise the amount of drives plugged in to SATA when I have an M.2 SSD and I certainly don't want any old spinners in there, including HDD's.

  From Toms Hardware the measured current when playing an audio cd was 150 ma.  150 x 12V supply is  1.8 W  and that is with the motor running to turn the disk.  This is from a DVD/CD. the motor is using the majority of that current.   I did find this "Optical drives consume just 1.5 to 5 Watts of power during idle, " they are saying during use 25-30 W while in use for a blue ray,  I would think they are on the high side since they are trying to find total power needed for a system.  5 W, disconnect all the leds in the computer, trying to be humorous.  Next time I open my computer I'll measure it.
Carl2

Well I guess I could easily test it with my power meter but I can't be bothered, basically I hardly ever use my spinning DVD / Bluray drive, it's time to get away from that old technology I think. We should disable unused hardware in the BIOS, old style mouse, keyboard, serial port etc. especially with UEFI bios. Getting an external USB drive will cover me just in case I need one.

It's my choice to make and I like to keep things efficient.

EDIT:
It's not just me that thinks this:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/236559/rip_dvd_six_reasons_its_time_for_discs_to_die.html

  I've stopped using the printer ages ago, I used to print out all those important documents about this and that and ended up with stacks of paper to be saved in case.  I got tired of buying fairly expensive ink only to see it dry out.    Haven't used the DVD in years also since flash drives are very reasonable in price.  I do remember thinking they are a bit noisy and it seems to take a long time before you see results, kind of like the boot time. 
  Glad to see you're in the blue ray age I've only got DVD's but since I don't uses them it doesn't matter.
Seems you're the best person to decide what you need.
Carl2

Found this about thermal throttling on the M.2 I was interested in.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/8979/samsung-sm951-512-gb-review/11

Interesting, seems the vertical mounted M.2 is probably a better way to go.

Or they add heat-sinks or something.

I have Daz Studio on C: because it's less trouble like that. My renders can be well over 2 minutes...

Yes but your renders will not be pushing the M.2 to its maximum, I can't see it being much of a problem.

How much data can you move in 2 minutes @ 1800MB/s , it's a lot 

Most of the rendering is done in RAM I think.

I agree with you, but such a drastic slow down in less than 2 mins makes me raise my eyebrows.