Need a good strategy for using older pc hardware.

[bupkus]

It has just occurred to me that many are probably in the same situation as me.
We have a little too much hardware made to run with a 333 fsb like PC2700 DDR and mainboards based on the KT333 chipset and the like, but we don't want to continue to invest in anything less then 400 fsb stuff.

I suppose the same goes for those with hardware at the 400 fsb barrier and don't want to let it sit when above 400 is in our face.

Is there some way we can discuss the pros or cons of just tossing this older stuff?

I personally have an Epox 8K5A2+ with a number of sticks of 512MB PC2700 DDR. I would like to match an AXP 2700+ (333) to this and just give it to a relative but the last time I did this I put a 2500+ Barton in an Epox 8K5A2+ and although it works ok, I wish I had it in a cheap but good nforce2 mobo with some cheap but good PC3200 DDR.

Is it just best to toss these old 333 mobos and just get the nforce2 stuff?
That would still leave me with 4 sticks of 512 PC2700.

BTW, which would be faster, the above mobo with the unlocked 2500+(333) Barton (slightly OC'd) or the 2700+ (333)Tbred with no OC?

 

[DaveSimmons]

Why not at least sell the old mobo cheap in FS/T instead of tossing, if possible flashing it first to allow use with newer CPUs? Keeps it out of a landfill and makes someone with a spare duron or dead 333 mobo happy.

It is a dilemma though, whether to just use the old parts or mix in new ones. But buying new parts it's hard to ignore how cheap good socket 754 mobos are ($75) and A64 2800+ and Sempron 3100+ CPUs ($125-30, with HSF).