Unstable burning with NEC 3520AW, Verbatim -R 16x

[hobs0n]

Hey all. I have some problem with with my NEC 3520AW and burning DVDs. I havent used my computer for burning in over 6-7 months since I was in an accident have hardly been home but as I can remember I hadnt this kind of problem before. When I burn out DVDs, around 1/3 is badly written and Neros verify written data says the DVD is bad. The last time I burned was on my old computer, the new one seems to work very stable, can it be that the NEC writer is starting to break? I usually burn in 12x since my old computer could barely handle 16x ;) I have tried burning in lower speeds to but it doesnt seem to make any difference but can it be like I shouldnt burn over 2-4x?

The stuff I use for this is:

2x36gb raptors raid 0
Epox 9NPA+
AMD Athlon 64 San Diego 2.2@2.9ghz
4xCorsair Value PC3200 512MB
NEC 3520AW
Verbatim DVD-R 16x
Nero 6.6.0.8

Are those in someway not really compatible for burning DVDs?

Im also thinking of buying a new burner, an extern one so I can fit better HDD cooling in the case, which one would you recommend?

[setarip_old]

It would be helpful if you post the NERO log (remember to remove your serial number) of a failed burn...

[hdi20]

Try updating firmware.
http://www.de.nec.de./softwareoverview2.php/id/1333

[CWR03]

You may try 4X - the general rule is not to exceed half the rated burn speed of either media or device, whichever is slower. It may be helpful for you to know that when I use Nero and verify the disk, it nearly always fails verify. If I don't verify, it reads properly. Definitely update the device's firmware and Nero, or try another burning application such as ImgBurn. If Nero is what you like for arrangement, have it output an .ISO file which can be burned with most other programs.

[theReal]

Try another type of media before you change anything else - I have had a bad burn with a Verbatim DVD-R 16x two days ago.

Usually the Verbatim 16x are good - we have been using them at work for a few months now, but this one was from a new batch. I don't know exactly what burner it was because I was using a Mac G5 at work. I'm not even sure if it burned 16x or 8x, I just quickly burnt a short DV film (3"30) with iDVD, standard settings (burn speed set to "best"). On two different standalones the film just freezes after about 30 seconds. With a PC drive it can be read, but with problems (read errors, slow reading).
The Mac G5 in question is used to burn DVDs a lot and it never had any problems with the burner so far. As I said before, the Verbatim's were a new batch that had just arrived a few days ago - maybe they are worse than the ones we used before?

*EDIT* I just re-checked the DVD in question on my own stand-alone (cheap cyberhome) and DVD burner (LG 4163B) and everything was fine, no errors whatsoever, not even the slightest glitch... I guess my friend (where all the errors occured) uses crappy equipment!
Well, you might check other media anyways, this is always a good idea ;)

btw. the burner in the G5 was (according to Nero CD-DVD Speed) a Sony DW-Q28A KAS7