Question At what point is your old CPU garbage?

[CuriousMike]

I was just throwing out an old Antec case / guts - I even left an ASUS B350 mobo in it.
I pulled out the Ryzen 1700, the 250GB SSD and the 16GB of DDR4 ram.

I have no idea why I kept those parts - the Ryzen 1700 is useless, the 250GB SSD is too small / useless and the ram... well... I have two other Ryzen 5x00 mini-itx builds that are already maxed on RAM.

But yet I kept these pieces.
I seem to always keep my old pieces ... they just sit in the garage for about 10 years until they're finally recycled.

What do you do with your old hardware? Do you hold onto it "just in case" ?

 

[FlawleZ]

The more I think about it the more it seems the original post from OP was some wierd flex or something. I'm glad to see most people here are sensible on this one.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

The more I think about it the more it seems the original post from OP was some wierd flex or something. I'm glad to see most people here are sensible on this one.

A poignant illustration of "one man's garbage is another man's treasure"...

 

[BonzaiDuck]

A lot of folks checking in here do the same things that I do.

They hoard old computer parts.

They recoil from the idea of spending time and money for selling and shipping them to buyers who are likely far and few between.

They keep computers running that are 12 years old.

I remember when I bought my first IBM-compatible 8088 system in 1983. I modded it, I added to it, I changed it. I somehow thought it was worthwhile to keep it and used it for the next ten years. By that time, I'd acquired a 386 desktop system, and later a 486.

I've been able to get about 12 years of "mileage" from Sandy Bridge K systems -- one of them still running. Doom is foretold by the advent of Windows 11 and the sudden uselessness of the old hardware.

I use my computer(s) to manage my life -- my household security, financial management, acquiring information, communications with friends and businesses. Like it or not, considering the imperative for newer hardware or modifications to existing hardware, I can imagine an annual "computer budget" of between $500 and $1,000 -- (per year).

Right now, having built a "new" system with new parts but dated technology, I'm cleaning out my parts lockers and putting the cyber-trash in our pickup truck so that I can cart it down to the e-Waste disposal-point for the county.

There will never be an end to this. What happens when you exhibit signs of dementia or Alzheimers, and you forget how to type on a keyboard?

I just literally gave someone my old 2600K system, which had second-tier high-end parts in it. I don't think he knows what he has there. There's enough value in the modded case and other hardware to make it worthwhile to get this year's processor, mobo and RAM and just drop it in the old box.

The stuff piles up. Pretty soon, a part you might need or want later gets lost in the parts-lockers. You can't keep track of it all.

 

[Hotrod2go]

A lot of folks checking in here do the same things that I do.

They hoard old computer parts.

They recoil from the idea of spending time and money for selling and shipping them to buyers who are likely far and few between.

They keep computers running that are 12 years old.

I remember when I bought my first IBM-compatible 8088 system in 1983. I modded it, I added to it, I changed it. I somehow thought it was worthwhile to keep it and used it for the next ten years. By that time, I'd acquired a 386 desktop system, and later a 486.

I've been able to get about 12 years of "mileage" from Sandy Bridge K systems -- one of them still running. Doom is foretold by the advent of Windows 11 and the sudden uselessness of the old hardware.

I use my computer(s) to manage my life -- my household security, financial management, acquiring information, communications with friends and businesses. Like it or not, considering the imperative for newer hardware or modifications to existing hardware, I can imagine an annual "computer budget" of between $500 and $1,000 -- (per year).

Right now, having built a "new" system with new parts but dated technology, I'm cleaning out my parts lockers and putting the cyber-trash in our pickup truck so that I can cart it down to the e-Waste disposal-point for the county.

There will never be an end to this. What happens when you exhibit signs of dementia or Alzheimers, and you forget how to type on a keyboard?

I just literally gave someone my old 2600K system, which had second-tier high-end parts in it. I don't think he knows what he has there. There's enough value in the modded case and other hardware to make it worthwhile to get this year's processor, mobo and RAM and just drop it in the old box.

The stuff piles up. Pretty soon, a part you might need or want later gets lost in the parts-lockers. You can't keep track of it all.

A great summary indeed sir!
Like the old saying goes, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' applies here as well. I still have a collection of over 100 cpus from different decades here but lack the motherboards & other related components to test them all. This hobby appeals to the tinkerer in all of us I think. There is always something adventurous about stumbling across an old box, without any indication of what technology is actually in it until it is pried open & the fun of discovery takes hold!

 

[gdansk]

If you kept it long enough it may have some value for those retro PC people. $$

 

[Shmee]

If you kept it long enough it may have some value for those retro PC people. $$

Yeah good X series boards are like that. Hard to find a good working board, but used i7s and Xeons are plentiful and cheap. My 2nd X5660 I bought for $20, but the X58 boards were all over $100.

 

[Hotrod2go]

Yeah good X series boards are like that. Hard to find a good working board, but used i7s and Xeons are plentiful and cheap. My 2nd X5660 I bought for $20, but the X58 boards were all over $100.

The sellers on ebay for old but new hardware are miles out of touch with reality. There are still brand new AM2+ boards going for over Au$200 I've seen.

 

[scannall]

A lot of folks checking in here do the same things that I do.

They hoard old computer parts.

They recoil from the idea of spending time and money for selling and shipping them to buyers who are likely far and few between.

They keep computers running that are 12 years old.

I remember when I bought my first IBM-compatible 8088 system in 1983. I modded it, I added to it, I changed it. I somehow thought it was worthwhile to keep it and used it for the next ten years. By that time, I'd acquired a 386 desktop system, and later a 486.

I've been able to get about 12 years of "mileage" from Sandy Bridge K systems -- one of them still running. Doom is foretold by the advent of Windows 11 and the sudden uselessness of the old hardware.

I use my computer(s) to manage my life -- my household security, financial management, acquiring information, communications with friends and businesses. Like it or not, considering the imperative for newer hardware or modifications to existing hardware, I can imagine an annual "computer budget" of between $500 and $1,000 -- (per year).

Right now, having built a "new" system with new parts but dated technology, I'm cleaning out my parts lockers and putting the cyber-trash in our pickup truck so that I can cart it down to the e-Waste disposal-point for the county.

There will never be an end to this. What happens when you exhibit signs of dementia or Alzheimers, and you forget how to type on a keyboard?

I just literally gave someone my old 2600K system, which had second-tier high-end parts in it. I don't think he knows what he has there. There's enough value in the modded case and other hardware to make it worthwhile to get this year's processor, mobo and RAM and just drop it in the old box.

The stuff piles up. Pretty soon, a part you might need or want later gets lost in the parts-lockers. You can't keep track of it all.

For too long I has a small storage unit filled with computer parts. Costing money each month to keep stuff I'd never used. One day I got smart, had a garage sale for computer parts. And what didn''t sell I gave away or donated to organizations that could use them.

The only thing I kept was the first computer I purchased, an Apple ][+. For nostalgia and sentimental reasons I guess. And it still works to this day.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

If you kept it long enough it may have some value for those retro PC people. $$

The sellers on ebay for old but new hardware are miles out of touch with reality. There are still brand new AM2+ boards going for over Au$200 I've seen.

I mainly keep some old(er) spare parts around. You know, the kind of stuff that's impossible to find anymore. For a reasonable price anyway.

If you happen to ever need something like that, it can be quite a lot of $$/€€ we're talking about suddenly. If you can find someone willing to pay for it, or have a client who needs it, so much the better.

 

[IntelUser2000]

I certainly don't mean to disparage Core 2. A 2006 architecture still somewhat usable today say it all. Core 2 also use an older instruction set, which amongst others lack HW SHA support. That hurts Core 2 quite a lot in today's environment.

Airmont is worse in vector performance due to an in-order FPU while the instruction sets are similar between the two and it wasn't until Goldmont it had SHA256.

I can't imagine how Core 2 would feel similar in any scenario. 70% difference is huge. Little over 50% was the jump between the unusable earlier Atoms and Airmont for example.

If you think Ryzen 1700 is garbage, try using A6 based laptop today. It will struggle even playing 720p youtube videos.

Try the pre-Silvermont Atom systems. I at least take Silvermont in consideration(even if at the back of my mind) when browsing for used systems. I do not care for predecessors. In-order Atom + PowerVR + crappy power management was garbage. Ideally I would look for Gemini Lake(Goldmont Plus) but they are higher priced.

I gifted my mom a Clover Trail tablet when it first came out. Oh boy it was slow everywhere. When I got a Dell Venue 8 Pro which was merely a year later but using the far superior Silvermont architecture, it was fast enough to be my daily use tablet.

Also had a Viliv S5. Real first gen Atom. Even slower. I tolerated it because it was so portable though.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

Airmont is worse in vector performance due to an in-order FPU while the instruction sets are similar between the two and it wasn't until Goldmont it had SHA256.

I can't imagine how Core 2 would feel similar in any scenario. 70% difference is huge. Little over 50% was the jump between the unusable earlier Atoms and Airmont for example.

I can only say try it. Just temper your expectations and you may be (pleasantly) surprised.

Core 2 was the king...

 

[Heartbreaker]

I'd like some of that garbage. My only computer is still my trusty Core 2 Quad (OC Q9400) I bought/built in 2008.

Still totally fine for everyday computing, occasional video encoding, and nostalgia gaming.

 

[Heartbreaker]

The only thing I kept was the first computer I purchased, an Apple ][+. For nostalgia and sentimental reasons I guess. And it still works to this day.

I kept my Amiga 1000 since it was such a cool design, and way ahead of it's time. Though it's boxed up and I have no idea if it still runs. C64 was the first I purchased, and really wasn't tempted to keep that.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I should list all my old stuff for sale

 

[scannall]

I kept my Amiga 1000 since it was such a cool design, and way ahead of it's time. Though it's boxed up and I have no idea if it still runs. C64 was the first I purchased, and really wasn't tempted to keep that.

I had one of those. It was such a great computer for the time.

 

[IntelUser2000]

I can only say try it. Just temper your expectations and you may be (pleasantly) surprised.

Core 2 was the king...

I built a E4400 system for my parents that they still use, although upgraded to a Q9400 pulled from a used system. SSD but 2GB memory.

My mom has a laptop with Brazos chip and HDD. About similar to Silver/Air Atoms. Tablets are quite optimized but desktop laptops they are quite slow.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I should list all my old stuff for sale

Look at how many youtubers primarily do retro tech stuff; LGR and Philscomputerlab, among them. Lots of people are getting into building period correct gaming PCs for playing the classics. Others want the full nostalgic experience of turning on and using those old Pcs. Yet others, need the old hardware because they have custom software that only works on old windows and a particular hardware platform.

There is really no reason to throw old stuff away, creating more E-waste. Even the argument about it not being worth their effort, is silly to me. Go to click n ship, order priority flat rate boxes for free. Mail carrier delivers them. You put stuff in them. Go back to click n ship and pay for the shipping. Or if using Paypal, do it through them and get a discounted rate. Print the label and put it on the box. Finish your order by scheduling your mail carrier to pick the packages up when they bring your mail. You are done, and you never left the house.

The OP is the antithesis of my thoughts, feelings, and actions concerning used parts. I file it under - "Things my sparring partners better never say."

 

[catkicker]

I take all the old stuff and donate it to goodwill. Then they can sell it to raise money get a receipt and its deductible on taxes.

 

[mindless1]

Atom 230 is kind of useless I think.

Not at all, an old 4W TDP CPU on an SATA capable board is a fine foundation for a (GbE) NAS.

I also have a little cubby in the living room where I've kept a Sempron 140 (unlocked 2nd core) AM3 system running for years, for sleepover-guest use, where they just want a keyboard to do their email or maybe get on Facebook.

I have newer faster hardware lying around but no inclination to upgrade that system till it fails. Serves its purpose. Besides anyone who needed much more would've usually brought their laptop with them.

Heh, I even have an ancient Pentium M 740 laptop in the garage, for running automotive diagnostics, looking at wiring diagrams, etc. Built like a tank, 17" screen, really no reason to replace it and then risk getting grime all over something nicer. Not all that slow for its uses either because it got an SSD upgrade, even though it uses an ATA133 adapter.

I'm very much about continuing to use things as long as they serve their purpose. At the same time I've also given away or thrown away, too much to remember but at a certain point in computer performance, I got tired of the continual shuffling around of systems to upgrade those that didn't really need it.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

Look at how many youtubers primarily do retro tech stuff; LGR and Philscomputerlab, among them. Lots of people are getting into building period correct gaming PCs for playing the classics. Others want the full nostalgic experience of turning on and using those old Pcs. Yet others, need the old hardware because they have custom software that only works on old windows and a particular hardware platform.

I don't know if I miss the (lack of) performance. I do miss the sounds both HDD and ODD made when you used them. Certain HDDs almost sounded like power drills when seeking.

Good times.

If I need some custom/old software or game run, I much prefer using the latest hardware capable of running the OS needed. Or a VM if that's possible.

Not at all, an old 4W TDP CPU on an SATA capable board is a fine foundation for a (GbE) NAS.

That's a good way to re-purpose old hardware too slow for general use. It should also be a good fit for a custom router box.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I don't know if I miss the (lack of) performance. I do miss the sounds both HDD and ODD made when you used them. Certain HDDs almost sounded like power drills when seeking.

Good times.

If I need some custom/old software or game run, I much prefer using the latest hardware capable of running the OS needed. Or a VM if that's possible.

I have zero interest in period correct retro gaming, or the look, sounds, and feel of PCs and tech of yesteryear. I am merely acknowledging there are a fair number of folks that do.

My WD Raptor HDDs were crazy loud bitd. I had one of the loudest CPU coolers on the market for sktA? at one point, when I exclusively wore good closed ear headphones. I think it was called the tornado, hurricane, or something? Been close to 20yrs now, and my memory is shot to hell. I do remember not caring much about quiet computing though. Now, it is a must, or my cheese will fall off my cracker.

Heck, using my FX or i3 10100 systems gets a little annoying at times, because they can chug a little when windows update, game launchers, and other stuff are all updating while I am using a browser or something.

Yeah, ain't no going back for me. But I still don't let the stuff end up in the landfill if I can help it. That is a lazy, poorest stewards of the planet, okay boomer, mentality, I ain't partial to.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I think it was called the tornado, hurricane, or something? Been close to 20yrs now, and my memory is shot to hell.

I think that they were called Vantec Tornado, maybe. I think that you're right.

 

[bigboxes]

I just don't see how that's a garbage CPU. It's not even that old. Wild thread.

 

[Hotrod2go]

There are some vids on YT that tell how to melt down old computer parts for Gold recovery....

 

[Motostu]

I think that they were called Vantec Tornado, maybe. I think that you're right.

You guys made me go through my old stuff again. There was also a Volcano cooler. Don't know why I still have this box; the cooler is gone.