What can i do with an old pc?

Husky_Musky · Aug 28, 2016

What can i use this pc for?

cpu: Intel Core 2 duo E8300
mobo: P5QL PRO
ram: 4 Gb DDR2

Robert Cook · Aug 28, 2016

you can turn it into a pFsense router, or sell it off or throw in some mid to low and GPU and use it as a TV system.

Rogue Leader · Aug 28, 2016

Home file server, arcade game emulator system (build it into a small cabinet), doorstop, target practice?

Robert Cook · Aug 28, 2016

Rogue Leader :

target practice... Bringing the latest FPS to the world in glorious 60 FPS with an effectively infinite resolution? but will kick back and reload time now matter?

Chicano · Aug 28, 2016

Turn it Into a NAS Home Server.
http://lifehacker.com/what-operating-system-should-i-use-for-my-diy-home-serv-1671385076

http://bit.do/Turn-old-PC-into-home-server

notlim981 · Aug 28, 2016

Or better yet, make it a Folding@Home PC and join Tom's Hardware team!

Husky_Musky · Aug 28, 2016

I know this may sound dumb, but can i make it as a work computer after adding more ram and adding a gpu?

notlim981 · Aug 28, 2016

Husky_Musky :

Depending on the work you do, yes.

bitwright · Aug 28, 2016

That PC is good for pretty much any low power application: NAS box/file server, maybe even a media server, pretty much any low power PC-as-Appliance application (Mr. Cook mentioned pFsense), or just a simple HTPC or emulation station.

Of course if you don't really need any of those things, why not just save yourself the extra cost on your power bill and just sell or donate it.

Chicano · Aug 28, 2016

That's what I thought of suggesting.. double the RAM can make it handle most anything... well, except games but it can handle most any other task... and if you replace the dual core E8300 with the right Core Core2 Quad which you can get cheap, it can do alot more.

ASUS P5QL PRO
https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P5QL_PRO/specifications/

CPU Support List (All Socket 775 up to Q Series Quad Core CPUs)
https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P5QL_PRO/HelpDesk_CPU/

Robert Cook · Aug 28, 2016

Chicano :

I was about to say, throw in a $20 Q6600 and max it with 8GB or RAM and it can be pretty usefull, but DDR2 RAM is really expensive for no reason, and you would need a GPU and perhaps power supply upgrade as well.

EDIT: I brought an old dell optiplex 745 back to life by doing this

Chicano · Aug 28, 2016

Robert Cook :

• DDR2 RAM is right now very cheap.. you can get 8GB for less than what you'd pay for DDR3 and up to DDR3 prices...

This is one example at $27.00 and you can expect to pay up to $42.00 depending on the brand. (and ignore the: "for AMD CPU" sales gimmick it should work on any DDR2 motherboard)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=100007611%204025%20601190323%20600006069%20600528632

• You would need a GPU for gaming & video editing, but not necessarily for work or ordinary use.

• Power supply?, any $40's to $50's Band name Bronze> will do fine... not much over cheap generic PSUs, and only if a GPU is added and on what rating PSU he already has.

Robert Cook · Aug 28, 2016

shoot I guess I am off in the past, I remeber DDR2 costing an absurd 50-60 for 2X2GB around a year ago or so.

superninja12 · Aug 28, 2016

small warm energy hungry radiator?

Robert Cook · Aug 28, 2016

superninja12 :

??? I am tired but did I miss something???

superninja12 · Aug 28, 2016

I'm sure that pc can be very warm put it under your desk stop the fans (hotter and no noise) and you got yourself a nice feet warmer? (cats like it too)

Robert Cook · Aug 28, 2016

just run 4 way GTX480SLI! I have seen videos of people cooking eggs in a foil pan over those things. or 4 way R9 290X Crossfire.

superninja12 · Aug 28, 2016

Robert Cook :

worth investing if you ask me as a student.

Chicano · Aug 28, 2016

Robert Cook :

Yes, that's what I noticed... it was probably no more than 10 months ago... and the same goes for all DDR3 RAM, you can now get 16GBs for about the same or a bit more than what you paid for 8GBs. Guess it's all due to new DDR4 RAM (also getting very cheap) pushing previous RAM sales down.

One more example.
Samsung 16GB 4x4GB 240PIN Desktop DDR2-800 $49.85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA8BU3H51730

Husky_Musky · Aug 28, 2016

Chicano :

Robert Cook :

• DDR2 RAM is right now very cheap.. you can get 8GB for less than what you'd pay for DDR3 and up to DDR3 prices...

This is one example at $27.00 and you can expect to pay up to $42.00 depending on the brand. (and don't mind the "for AMD CPU sales gimmick" it should work on any DDR2 motherboard)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=100007611%204025%20601190323%20600006069%20600528632

• You would need a GPU for gaming & video editing, but not necessarily for work or ordinary use.

• Power supply?, any $40's to $50's Band name Bronze> will do fine... not much over cheap generic PSUs, and only if a GPU is added and on what rating PSU he already has.

yeah, I'm planning to use this for video editing

Husky_Musky · Aug 28, 2016

Thanks for all the suggestions and i also admire your humour, have an upvote

Husky_Musky · Aug 28, 2016

Robert Cook :

I'm not sure where to get a $20 Q6600
Keeping in mind that i live in australia, so its probably gona be more expensive

Chicano · Aug 29, 2016

ASUS P5QL PRO CPU Compatibility List up to Core2 Quad Q9650
https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P5QL_PRO/HelpDesk_CPU/

Intel Core2 Duo & Quad CPUs ordered from weaker to stronger. Top CPU in the compatibility list is the Q9650
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/176yrXFb4tlyGBHupH8W5C24B-qQ1gZxV0yErbPeR_s4/edit#gid=182582262

Intel Core2 Quad Q9500 should be around $40.00 USD at "buy now" price on eBay so it's more than $20 but it's 23% faster than the Q6600, and it apparently has no charge for shipment, so you may end up paying less than the $20 plus shipment fee.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=100007671%20600005851%20600005562

Thunderballs · Aug 29, 2016

To be fair he could sel lit on ebay as a "gaming PC" because there is always some lazy idiot that will buy such things rather than do their research.

RaseberryCake · Aug 29, 2016

Make it into a NAS. Buy a couple of WD red drives and plug it in by ethernet. FreeNAS is probably you're best bet for software

What can i do with an old pc?

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