Are CD drives getting less usable as time passes?

[JetRacer]

I just tried NeroCDSpeed. My cheapo AOpen x52 cd-roms barely reach above x16 reads. WTF does the drive run at x52 sounding like an air strike when it only can read x16 anyway!?!

Do any of you guys know of some util that allows me to limit the drive speed to x16 permanently?
I'm assuming that Nero doesn't (havn't checked).

[JetRacer]

I quote Patrick's earlier post: "Fortunately CD-ROMs have the possibility be controlled by software to spin in a number of different speeds. That would enable you to run your 48X drive in 8X. If you are using windows on your pc I know for certain that a number of utilities exists."

I think someone also mentioned that the effects of Nero isn't permanent (killed by reboot). So I just wanted some links to something more permanent since it's useless to use Google with keywords like "cd-rom", "utility", "speed", etc.