Author Topic: Old PC Parts (Read 882 times)

GoGeTa006 · « **on:** July 14, 2012, 06:32:13 PM »

So, as my "savings" grow (to buy a new PC) I keep looking at my baby and I keep thinking:
I will most likely keep the PSU (600W) the Case and the HDs, maybe one optical drive that still runs on IDE. . .
but what do I do with the mobo, the vid card, the RAM. . . ??

I was also thinking, maybe ill keep the whole thing, just take out the hard drives (leave the IDE one), and have another PC to install linux. . .but I really doubt I'll use it much. . .It will most likely collect dust. . .

so should I sell it? but TBH no one is gonna buy it. . .its old

so. . .what do YOU do with your old PC's? (or PC components)

Soryon · « **Reply #1 on:** July 14, 2012, 07:50:56 PM »

I just leave them alone mostly and build a whole new computer. This has led to me having like a dozen computers. More then I have rooms in the house. Occasionally I will give one away to a friend or family member. I also have a closet filled with computer parts from around the late 90s to previous.

datora · « **Reply #2 on:** July 14, 2012, 10:29:49 PM »

.
Specifications, please. Include model and speeds. If the system is still running, use SIW or something like it to perform an in-depth hardware profile.

CPU:
GPU:
RAM:
NIC:
OTHER misc. parts, like add-in cards:

Then, what might you want to do with it? Learning linux is one good option.

Build a NAS ..?
2ndary media player ..?
2ndary web-surf & email ..?
Dedicated ("headless") torrent server ..?
Killer firewall/security for your internets ..?

Need to evaluate tradeoffs, such as system capability/resources/power and amount of electricity/heat used/generated for what service(s) it could provide.

If you need the case, you should be able to repurpose a really old useless one that you can obtain free somehow. For a PSU, depending on what you attempt, you may be able to get by with a 250 or 300 Watt.

Pentium100 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 15, 2012, 05:47:25 AM »

I am a packrat, so I keep the old parts. They can be useful sometimes (I needed 4 additional PCs for doing my thesis for the university and I managed to pretty much build them out of my old parts/PCs). Also, having spare parts is useful when troubleshooting a PC for a friend (some bring PCs that are quite old, so my parts fit).

vuzedome · « **Reply #4 on:** July 15, 2012, 05:50:03 AM »

Keep them hanging around, I'll always be able to find a use for them.

FlyinPenguin · « **Reply #5 on:** July 15, 2012, 06:59:55 AM »

Several ideas that come to mind:

1) Server/NAS
2) Retro arcade cabinet
3) Jukebox
4) HTPC
5) Carputer

I personally built a server, HTPC, and carputer out of old parts (although I did purchase a few misc parts to complete the projects). The carputer is no more but the server and HTPC are still in use to this day.

I have three big ass sheets of 3/4" MDF in my garage so I think an arcade cabinet is next in the works.

You would be surprised how useful "obsolete" hardware can be.

krumm · « **Reply #6 on:** July 15, 2012, 12:59:56 PM »

It depends on the parts. If I can use the part in a different computer and get use out of it I do that. If I don't have a use for the part and don't have another of the same part stored, then Ill store it for testing uses. If its out of date to the point of useless, then I trash it. I don't bother selling parts my self because by the time I don't have a use for the part it's not worth the hassle.

megido-rev.M · « **Reply #7 on:** July 17, 2012, 02:24:04 AM »

If they're decent parts I might as well store them; if they're as useless as floppies I scrap them.

kitamesume · « **Reply #8 on:** July 17, 2012, 02:30:34 AM »

multiple options:
1) don't touch the parts, sell it as a whole unit for a hundred bucks or two. [most effective]
2) get what you see useful and sell the other parts. [ less likely to get bought]
3) get what you see useful and give the others away to friends or family members. [effective tho no profits]
4) keep it as a secondary unit or something, a nas or htpc maybe. [self explanatory]

what i did:
once i did option 1, the rest i've been doing option 4 and 3.

lapa321 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2012, 03:23:58 AM »

Thread made me remember my old monochrome video card. I never did get around to framing that monstrosity and hanging it over my computer room.

I just sell my old parts. Since upgrades usually involve mobo, cpu and ram being replaced simultaneously, I just leave them in the case and sell them as a unit.

Pagonis · « **Reply #10 on:** July 19, 2012, 01:13:23 PM »

Quote from: FlyinPenguin on July 15, 2012, 06:59:55 AM

Several ideas that come to mind:

1) Server/NAS
2) Retro arcade cabinet
3) Jukebox
4) HTPC
5) Carputer

I personally built a server, HTPC, and carputer out of old parts (although I did purchase a few misc parts to complete the projects). The carputer is no more but the server and HTPC are still in use to this day.

I have three big ass sheets of 3/4" MDF in my garage so I think an arcade cabinet is next in the works.

You would be surprised how useful "obsolete" hardware can be.

I was thinking to do the same with my old computer, but.. It was an old Pentium, very power hungry and still slow. So I just sold it cheaply and bought AMD E-450 low power platform (I thinks this: http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_CPU_on_Board/E45M1M_PRO/#specifications ). Very quiet (only WD Caviar Green disks making noise), electricity bill didn't went up very noticably.

Although I still keep some parts in my drawer - GTX 460 video card, some PCI-Express Creative sound card. But it's just old habits back from when I was fixing PCs.

Deagon · « **Reply #11 on:** July 20, 2012, 08:53:39 AM »

I always re use them. Nas/dns/squid3 server or as routing equipment. Even a couple have went into mad projects.

My most recent example....Playstat ion 2 fat fitted with Asus eee pc 901 motherboard (1.6ghz atom with 2gb ddr2 ram) with usb laptop blueray drive fitted with all the buttons & LED's soldered up and fully working. I'm still waiting for a cheapy ps2 controller to usb adapter off ebay to cut up and solder to the back of the original controller ports and a vga to tv converter box to connect to the vga socket i fitted to the back of the console (99p vga cable + £1.25 female vga socket). Planning to use it as my minecraft server, ssh server (remote web for when im back in china), use it for XBMC (can use android phone as XBMC remote) to watch online tv and stream anime/videos off my main pc to the living room tv.

Deagon · « **Reply #12 on:** July 20, 2012, 07:31:01 PM »

Quote from: FlyinPenguin on July 15, 2012, 06:59:55 AM

Several ideas that come to mind:

1) Server/NAS
2) Retro arcade cabinet
3) Jukebox
4) HTPC
5) Carputer

I personally built a server, HTPC, and carputer out of old parts (although I did purchase a few misc parts to complete the projects). The carputer is no more but the server and HTPC are still in use to this day.

I have three big ass sheets of 3/4" MDF in my garage so I think an arcade cabinet is next in the works.

You would be surprised how useful "obsolete" hardware can be.

I would certainly love to see your arcade machine handy work when you get that built up flyinpenguin

.

it's an idea i've occasionally toyed with in my mind for 10 or so mins over the last 6 odd years but never really done anything about it. Always just thought of embedding some old crt or cheap tft screen into the cabinet and connecting up to any old 2004~2006 machine or dropped laptop that isnt worth the cost of its new screen. couple of usb arcade controllers embedded into the woodwork and a keyboard with touchpad stashed away above the screen in the roof/hangover in a lockable compartment that you can tilt down if you need to do something outside of MAME, etc (for any maintenance really).

**EDIT** and the idea of putting a old 'basey' stereo with its speakers inside for sound too, so when im on "Last Blade" or "Far East of Eden - Kabuki Klash" everyone else can hear it, lol

nstgc · « **Reply #13 on:** July 20, 2012, 11:00:59 PM »

For the most part I just upgrade by back up computer (that was made of spare parts). Some I use for decorations, such as this one old WD drive that I opened up like a sardine can (fuck screw drivers, real men use pliers!) that I stuck a Soviet flag in. I also collect cooling devices. Mostly heat sinks, but also fans and water blocks. Once a part is too old for my back up computer I usually trash them.

GoGeTa006 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 21, 2012, 12:38:59 AM »

mmm I'll probably keep 'em as spare parts for repairs or something. . .

Im glad to see everyone here watches My Little Pony

nstgc · « **Reply #15 on:** July 21, 2012, 12:44:58 AM »

Quote from: GoGeTa006 on July 21, 2012, 12:38:59 AM

mmm I'll probably keep 'em as spare parts for repairs or something. . .

Im glad to see everyone here watches My Little Pony

Of course we do, you'll Love and tolerate the fuck out of us if we don't.

xShadow · « **Reply #16 on:** July 21, 2012, 06:56:24 AM »

Do any option that doesn't involve watching My Little Pony.

Edit: Unless you're watching them bleed out rainbows, or whatever the fuck flows out when you put a powerful chainsaw to them.

GoGeTa006 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 21, 2012, 04:10:29 PM »

Quote from: xShadow on July 21, 2012, 06:56:24 AM

Do any option that doesn't involve watching My Little Pony.

Edit: Unless you're watching them bleed out rainbows, or whatever the fuck flows out when you put a powerful chainsaw to them.

Well, contrary to popular belief, ponies bleed normally just like regular creatures.

but yeah, I dont remember what happened to my old PC (the one I had before this one), I remember I used it as a leg rest. . .

Pagonis · « **Reply #18 on:** July 21, 2012, 10:17:23 PM »

Quote from: GoGeTa006 on July 21, 2012, 12:38:59 AM

mmm I'll probably keep 'em as spare parts for repairs or something. . .

Im glad to see everyone here watches My Little Pony

Oooooh, I thought you meant decimating ponies in Diablo 3 Whimsyshire level.

nstgc · « **Reply #19 on:** July 22, 2012, 03:56:18 PM »

Quote from: Pagonis on July 21, 2012, 10:17:23 PM

Quote from: GoGeTa006 on July 21, 2012, 12:38:59 AM
mmm I'll probably keep 'em as spare parts for repairs or something. . .

Im glad to see everyone here watches My Little Pony
Oooooh, I thought you meant decimating ponies in Diablo 3 Whimsyshire level.

~~Is that an actually level or some fan made one?~~

Nevermind, it is