Used PC buying recommendations needed

[Orrhias]

I need to buy a cheap used PC for use as a DIY router. It must have an Intel dual-core CPU (at least 2.0 Ghz) 2GB RAM, and an open PCIe slot for my Intel EXPI9403PT dual-port NIC. Also, the hard drive must be replaceable with my 80GB SSD. All the cheap PCs are Dell or HP, and cannot tell if a given PC meets my requirements or not. Would appreciate shopping help to figure out what to buy. Thanks!

 

[VirtualLarry]

Have you looked in the Hot Deals sub-forum, for the thread about the ECS Celeron 1037U mini-ITX motherboard for $40 + ship?

That board would make an ideal router build.

 

[Z15CAM]

the ECS Celeron 1037U mini-ITX motherboard for $40 + ship?
That board would make an ideal router build.

Yoh! - Larry.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Yoh! - Larry.

Yes?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I need to buy a cheap used PC for use as a DIY router. It must have an Intel dual-core CPU (at least 2.0 Ghz) 2GB RAM, and an open PCIe slot for my Intel EXPI9403PT dual-port NIC. Also, the hard drive must be replaceable with my 80GB SSD. All the cheap PCs are Dell or HP, and cannot tell if a given PC meets my requirements or not. Would appreciate shopping help to figure out what to buy. Thanks!

Something like this would work:

http://dellrefurbished.com/product/...dell-optiplex-780-4gb-ram-160gb-hdd/si6829565

There are cheaper ones available if you have a low-profile NIC.

If you want something more modern (that's, like, an 8 year old CPU, and it's not particular power-efficient) maybe this one:

http://dellrefurbished.com/product/...dell-optiplex-790-4gb-ram-250gb-hdd/si6821924

But pricier.

Of course, the same computers are available cheaper on eBay, but usually without an OS or warranty.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Optipl...3-2120-3-30GHz-4GB-DVDRW-NOMHDD-/272156014518

Have you looked in the Hot Deals sub-forum, for the thread about the ECS Celeron 1037U mini-ITX motherboard for $40 + ship?

That CPU is more powerful than the ones in most of the "Computers" you own.

 

[RossMAN]

NewEgg.com has a refurb Lenovo for $89.99 after rebate, here's the specs:

Intel Pentium G630 2.7 GHz
4GB DDR3
250GB SATA HDD
Integrated Graphics
6x USB 2.0
1x VGA
1x DVI
Gigabit Ethernet
Windows 7 Pro
1-Year Warranty

 

[Orrhias]

Something like this would work:

http://dellrefurbished.com/product/...dell-optiplex-780-4gb-ram-160gb-hdd/si6829565

There are cheaper ones available if you have a low-profile NIC.

If you want something more modern (that's, like, an 8 year old CPU, and it's not particular power-efficient) maybe this one:

http://dellrefurbished.com/product/...dell-optiplex-790-4gb-ram-250gb-hdd/si6821924

But pricier.

Of course, the same computers are available cheaper on eBay, but usually without an OS or warranty.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Optipl...3-2120-3-30GHz-4GB-DVDRW-NOMHDD-/272156014518



That CPU is more powerful than the ones in most of the "Computers" you own.

Much appreciate your help. The first link (si6829565) and the ebay link look okay. I will be nuking any OS, and replacing it with Untangle or pfSense, so no OS just saves me a step. I've no idea whether Intel EXPI9403PT dual-port NIC is low profile...since it doesn't say so in the specs, I'd assume not. Are you sure the one in the first link and the one in the ebay link will accommodate the dual-port NIC and 80GB SSD? That's all I really require.

 

[Orrhias]

Yes?

I fully agree. Intel is awful. Packed with DRM, HDCP, Trusted Computing, and probably lots of other corporate malware designed to screw over the enduser. Unfortunately, they make the best NICs, and picky Linux loves them, so if I want to run pfSense or Untangle without jumping through flaming hoops...you gotta do what you gotta do!

 

[Orrhias]

NewEgg.com has a refurb Lenovo for $89.99 after rebate, here's the specs:

Intel Pentium G630 2.7 GHz
4GB DDR3
250GB SATA HDD
Integrated Graphics
6x USB 2.0
1x VGA
1x DVI
Gigabit Ethernet
Windows 7 Pro
1-Year Warranty

Looks like it would do the job, and I sure like the price. Are you sure it has a PCIe slot to fit my dual-port NIC (what about the case size), and will there be any problem replacing the HDD with my 80GB SSD?

 

[Burpo]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Optipl...927628?hash=item3d1573fb8c:g:VKUAAOSwAvJW9ZEX

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Much appreciate your help. The first link (si6829565) and the ebay link look okay. I will be nuking any OS, and replacing it with Untangle or pfSense, so no OS just saves me a step. I've no idea whether Intel EXPI9403PT dual-port NIC is low profile...since it doesn't say so in the specs, I'd assume not.

If the metal bracket on the card is ~2.5" tall, it's low profile. If it's about 5", it's normal.

Are you sure the one in the first link and the one in the ebay link will accommodate the dual-port NIC and 80GB SSD? That's all I really require.

As sure as I can be without buying one and taking it apart. But if you look up the specific mandible from the manufacturer, for the computer that you were intending to purchase, you can double check compatibility with hard drive upgrades, and expansion cards.