are optical drive an absolute necessity?

[hadbeen]

I am building my new rig and I just realized that I have all of the parts except for an optical drive. I can install windows using a USB flash drive and really can't think of a reason why I'd actually need to buy an optical drive. Is there any reason that I would absolutely need one? or is it that in this day and age, it's not actually necessary?

 

[tinytomlogan]

I never use them anymore

 

[PEXON]

If you have old games on disc and a big CD collection like me, (I'm old fashioned and like having CD's), then obviously they are a big help. An external USB 3.0 one could be an option to look at too, they don't take away from the aesthetics of the case and you don't need extra fuss with the wiring inside.

 

[tinytomlogan]

USB2 is fine, USB3 will be no quicker

 

[PEXON]

Have a look at a USB 2.0 one then OP

 

[Josh Weston]

The only reason I still have an optical drive is because I like my music in its lossless format - something iTunes doesn't account for.

 

[PEXON]

Flac ftw!

 

[VengeanceUK]

the only reason i keep mine is cos i burn a lot of disks and to have an external would require it to sit atop my case which is where the cooling system vents so would block that, but like ttl says constantly, they are not a necessity for everyone

 

[hadbeen]

hah. yeah. I didn't think I needed one. and wth iTunes...I wonder why...does all their music come in .aac format or something?

 

[Ru5ty_t00l]

not only old games r on dvds ...
having an optical device is not always useful but there r times u need one and u get in a lot of trouble to do your job if u don't have it

 

[VengeanceUK]

not only old games r on dvds ...
having an optical device is not always useful but there r times u need one and u get in a lot of trouble to do your job if u don't have it

thats why lots have switched to plug in external drives, whereas for what i do, its impractical and i'm also pretty sure its slower to have external

 

[wassupdoc]

I can honestly say I use mine all the time for installing games, music and films. I can see why some people - namely TTL - want to kill them with fire, but I have a door on my case so it doesn't impact the looks at all