486, worth the upgrade?

[RaynorWolfcastle]

i just recieved a free 486 pc is there any way to add a decent cpu and mobo to this so i can use it for word processing and internet browsing? If not, is this machine good enough to serve as a firewall and print server or should i just pass on the offer?

 

[wyvrn]

You can use a 486 to web surf, just load Win3.1 and there is a free dos web browser if you look for it.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

win3.1.... ughhh.....:disgust:
maybe some linux distro that has low requirements, but not win3.1

 

[Fardringle]

I have successfully (and almost tolerably) run Win95 on a 386DX-40 with 48MB of ram, and although it took a while to load Netscape, it did what it was intended for as a cheap computer for a friend who just needed something really basic, so a 486 with a bit of RAM should do what you are asking but probably not much more than that...

 

[smp]

linux router/firewall
can do that job.. how much ram do you have? I have a P75 w/ 24 megs of ram doing those things, and it's a web server, ftp server also.. so I'm sure a 486 can be a router/firewall.. I'm running Mandrake on mine..
If you're new to linux and want to learn.. this is a great oppurtunity..

 

If it's a 486 it probably has an AT interface on the PS. You would have to get an ATX power supply to get a decent P2 or P3 motherboard. Combine that with the cost of the new CPU and mobo and you are better off building a new system from scratch.

Heck, I have Pentium systems I have trouble giving away. I personally wouldn't take a 486 if you paid me.

 

[geezer88]

The best thing you can hope for is that the PC you received got upgraded. See if you can use the hard drive. You shouldn't have taken it cause it's a hassle to throw away.

Or you can give it to your baby brother or something to surf the Internet.

 

[Frenchie]

Try adding a 486-dx4 100 or Pentium Overdrive 83 and some ram. It'll be slow compared to today systems, but fast enough for the basics.

 

[BA]

No! Put in the AMD 133 if you can, and O/C it to 150-160! That and a decent amount of ram would make it almost bearable(and decent for RC5)

 

[RickH]

Open the dumpster and give it a toss!!! It is not worth spending anything on a 486. If you have "free memory" and other parts give them a try. DO NOT spend money!!!! The memory, drives, CD, case, power supply are worthless. If you want to spend money on an old machine, make sure it is atleast a pentium 233. I have seen people spend hundreds of dollars upgrading a 486 with overdrive processors and more memory. The resulting machine is almost as powerfull as a pentuim 75 to 100. R.

 

[Telstar]

I personally have an AMD 133 that my wife uses for Word Processing and minor web surfing activities. The web surfing is a little slow but it gets the job done. If the system you are getting has at least a 500 MB Hard Drive and 16 MB of memory you can run Win95 and do occasional web surfing. If you have to spend any significant money to upgrade the CPU or memory - forget it. Its not worth putting any money into it.

 

[Vyle]

<< i just recieved a free 486 pc is there any way to add a decent cpu and mobo to this so i can use it for word processing and internet browsing? >>



Um...what's wrong with using the 486 as is for word processing? I mean, that's about all it's good for. I've got a 486DX2 66 with 20 megs that I use for word processing and I've checked email and stuff with it. Don't put any money into it. If you got some old, old ram and parts laying around, stick it in there and use it as is.

I disagree with some who say to throw it away. Where I live, I can run a free ad in this weekly circular and sell 486s and Pentium 75s for like $50-$75. That's money you can use to buy ram for a newer system or whatever. I do that all the time.

 

[flyers1]

I wouldn't waste the money doing an upgrade. I would put Linux on it and turn it into a file server/firewall/router/print server or something along those lines. I've used an old 486DX/100 as a router/firewall before and it worked great.