Expert: Donald Fisher - 7/30/2007

Question
If a CD-ROM's usual spin speed (1x (when the laser is near the centre of the disk)) is around 500rpm, then would a 52x drive spin the disk at 26000rpm, because it seems a little fast)
Thank you in advance

Answer
You are correct.  The maximum spindle speed of a 52x CD-ROM is 26,000rpm.  However, that is normally only when data is being read from the inner tracks and the drive will slow down to re-read data that is impaired by scratches and/or dust etc.  Drives rarely use their full potential and you'll notice speed changes all the time.  Also, a 1x CD-ROM drive will slow down to approximately 350rpm when reading data from the outside tracks (as those are moving faster than the inner tracks).

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