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Old PC Parts
Pagonis:
--- 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.
--- End quote ---
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:
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:
--- 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.
--- End quote ---
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:
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:
mmm I'll probably keep 'em as spare parts for repairs or something. . .
Im glad to see everyone here watches My Little Pony ;D
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