keeping old CPU/mobo/ram vs cheapest new CPU/mobo/ram

[melloyellow]

So I still have some old computers that have been replaced with new computers, and so I'm trying to decide what to do with the old computers - which parts to keep and which parts to scrap. Case/PSU/drives seem simple enough to reuse, but cpu/mobo/ram is less clear.

It seems the cheapest new set is to get an A6-6400k from microcenter for $45, and they throw in a free mobo. Then newegg sells 2x4gb ddr3 for $45, so I can either use all 8gb on one system, or split it between two systems. So cpu/mobo/ram for about $70 or $90, that seems super cheap. I don't think there's anything cheaper available new, not even am1 or atom systems, right?

So of the old computers I've got lying around, the newest system has a core 2 duo e6600, and even though amd apus are not highly regarded, that a6-6400k looks like it's still significantly faster than the e6600.

So I guess what I'm saying is that if the e6600 can easily handle whatever i decide to use it for, then I can keep using it, but if it ever has noticeable slowdowns, then I should probably just replace it with the a6 rather than deal with any frustrations. Anything older, I should probably just scrap then I guess. Maybe keep the hsf if it's reusable and better than stock.

So does that all sound about right?

Also, what's a e6600/a6-6400k system good for? Web browsing, general office work, htpc, experimenting with Linux... Anything but gaming and serious work stuff? I assume it can handle all 1080p playback, right?

 

[AllWhacked]

I think if you want to upgrade, buy an Intel G3258 + motherboard combo. I've seen them go on sale at NewEgg for as low as $75, but on average around $80-$100.

That G3258 at stock or overclocked to 4.2Ghz (can be done on stock cooler and non-Z87/Z97 motherboard) will out perform even an FX-8350 at every metric except heavily threaded titles. Also, by going Intel early you have the luxury of upgrading to something faster down the line whereas with AMD, while there are certainly better APU CPUs to upgrade to, none are going to give as much performance gain as going with an i5 or i7 (should that be needed). So while an AMD system is the cheapest out of pocket at $45, for anywhere from $30-$55 more going Intel, you buy yourself much more performance and the ability to upgrade to something vastly more powerful should you need to.

The advantage of going with an AMD APU is if you want to use an integrated graphics in which case, the AMD graphics are much better than the iGPU found on Intel Haswell processors. But if you're not gaming the the Intel graphics are fine, even for 1080p playback. Or if you do want to game, then you'd want a discreet graphics card anyway.

 

[meeshu]

So I still have some old computers that have been replaced with new computers, and so I'm trying to decide what to do with the old computers - which parts to keep and which parts to scrap. Case/PSU/drives seem simple enough to reuse, but cpu/mobo/ram is less clear. . .

For reliability, and depending on amount of usage and the make/model, it may not be the best option to re-use the PSU and/or HDD's.

What are the make and model of the PSU and HDD's, and how long have they been used please?

 

[Charlie98]

Also, what's a e6600/a6-6400k system good for? Web browsing, general office work, htpc, experimenting with Linux... Anything but gaming and serious work stuff? I assume it can handle all 1080p playback, right?

Yes, both would be reasonable for general purpose use. The older chipsets will run hotter and use more power for less return than newer components, and there is a huge diminishing return if you ever have to fix or buy replacement parts... it just doesn't make sense.

That AMD/mobo combo at MicroCenter looks like a pretty good deal, but understand you won't be able to/wouldn't want to use any components from an older build (save a case, CD/DVD writer, and maybe a hard drive (if it checks out OK with Crystal Disk.)

As far as Intel vs AMD, I'd take Intel myself. Whacked is correct, the hot setup at the moment is an Intel Pentium (typically the G3258) and a lower-end board (H81 or similar chipset) for less than $100.

 

[frozentundra123456]

Seems to me the OP needs to focus on what he really needs. The old computers have been replaced, but he still wants to use them ???, or buy more new ones??? How many computers do you need and what do you want to do with them seems like the appropriate question, not just how cheap can I buy a system.

Personally I would steer away from any dual module APU toward a pentium or even celeron, as others said, but that price on the APU seems like a good deal, and I suppose it would be better than an atom or kabini, which the OEMs are trying to pawn off into desktops now.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Seems to me the OP needs to focus on what he really needs. The old computers have been replaced, but he still wants to use them ???, or buy more new ones??? How many computers do you need and what do you want to do with them seems like the appropriate question, not just how cheap can I buy a system.

That's something that I should be asking myself on a regular basis. I don't though. I just buy more parts. 😛

Personally I would steer away from any dual module APU toward a pentium or even celeron, as others said, but that price on the APU seems like a good deal, and I suppose it would be better than an atom or kabini, which the OEMs are trying to pawn off into desktops now.

Yeah, my personal evaluation of the single-core/dual-threaded AMD APUs, is that, despite their higher clock speeds (nearly 4Ghz), that they barely exceed the speed of an 8-year-old E8400 dual-core. Sure, they have integrated graphics, but on the single-core APUs, they cut the iGPU down so much, it's not really faster than say, a Haswell Pentium's graphics either.

 

[melloyellow]

Well, I got new computers, so I'm not sure what to do with the old ones. What do you guys do with old computers, just toss them in the trash? I guess I'm a bit of a hoarder, but I'm still trying to think about it to try to make a rational decision. I figure my options are:

- send them to waste disposal
- use them for some secondary purpose
- store them in the closet until I decide to do one of the above at some later date

I guess eBay/Craigslist is another option but I don't think it would be worth the effort for computers this old.

So then I'm trying to figure out if I have some use for them, maybe use them to try out xbmc or steamos without any downtime or risk of messing up my main computers... Or maybe build a NAS...

In the meantime, I'm figuring if new, faster parts than be had for $70, then I can probably just toss out the older parts without worrying about ever regretting it in the future. If I ever run into a use for a cheap computer, I can just buy the new, faster parts. The e6600 might be worth keeping but everything older is going to the disposal. The g3258 is a good suggestion, probably a better upgrade if I need something faster than the e6600. If not overclocking, is the g3250 exactly the same?

So what are kabini/atom systems good for if they are more expensive and slower than the a6? Saving 50watts? I guess if you need to run a super small form factor that can't vent out the extra 50w TDP?

Anyways, another issue is that it looks like new mobos don't support IDE anymore, only SATA now. PCI seems to still be around though. So I guess all the old IDE optical drives are getting tossed too...

So that just leaves cases, PSUs, hard drives, and some PCI cards that I'll keep around in case I ever decide to use them. The PSUs and hard drives are all old and cheap spares, but it wouldn't really matter for these uses. It's not gonna be used for critical applications or anything.

 

[Charlie98]

Do what I did... gut it. Most of the useable parts I put in the freebies thread (old Pentium 4 chips, RAM, old IDE HDD, etc) because it always seems like someone is trying to revive an old system or use old parts to kit something together as an experiment.

 

[frozentundra123456]

Well, I got new computers, so I'm not sure what to do with the old ones. What do you guys do with old computers, just toss them in the trash? I guess I'm a bit of a hoarder, but I'm still trying to think about it to try to make a rational decision. I figure my options are:

- send them to waste disposal
- use them for some secondary purpose
- store them in the closet until I decide to do one of the above at some later date

I guess eBay/Craigslist is another option but I don't think it would be worth the effort for computers this old.

So then I'm trying to figure out if I have some use for them, maybe use them to try out xbmc or steamos without any downtime or risk of messing up my main computers... Or maybe build a NAS...

In the meantime, I'm figuring if new, faster parts than be had for $70, then I can probably just toss out the older parts without worrying about ever regretting it in the future. If I ever run into a use for a cheap computer, I can just buy the new, faster parts. The e6600 might be worth keeping but everything older is going to the disposal. The g3258 is a good suggestion, probably a better upgrade if I need something faster than the e6600. If not overclocking, is the g3250 exactly the same?

So what are kabini/atom systems good for if they are more expensive and slower than the a6? Saving 50watts? I guess if you need to run a super small form factor that can't vent out the extra 50w TDP?

Anyways, another issue is that it looks like new mobos don't support IDE anymore, only SATA now. PCI seems to still be around though. So I guess all the old IDE optical drives are getting tossed too...

So that just leaves cases, PSUs, hard drives, and some PCI cards that I'll keep around in case I ever decide to use them. The PSUs and hard drives are all old and cheap spares, but it wouldn't really matter for these uses. It's not gonna be used for critical applications or anything.

Is there some charitable institution you can donate the old computers to for a small tax write-off?