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What to do with an Old AMD 3200+ X2 Box

Kinesis

Kinesis

Senior member
I wonder if anyone could give me some thoughts or suggestions as to what do to do with my old AMD system? Other than just throw it out (last resort).

Specifications:
AMD X2 3200+ Processor
Asus A8N32-SLI Motherboard
4 GB of PC3200 RAM
BFG 7800 GT 512 MB Video Card
CL Audigy ZS Gamer Sound Card
74 GB SATA Raptor
2 x 80 GB WD Caviar SATA Drives
2 x LG DVDRW Optical Drives - PATA
1 Asus DVD ROM Drive - PATA

The case: Cooler Master Praetorian with Enemax 565 Watt PSU

Part of my issue with just booting it up is the loudness of the box, the size of the box (to some degree).

Do I get a newer case and clean up the interior with a goal of making it a test linux box or a retro game box?

Appreciate any thoughts...
 
My thoughts are throwing in a boot SSD and maybe replace other HDD's with a single larger HDD it will be quiter and probably faster. That would make basic use moderately snappy and reduce noise created by your current drives.

(Get a cheap SSD as your MB probably only supports SATA I anyway)

Getting a smaller case with some sound dampening would help too, check out the define R4

Though it is hard to justify the price when the computer is moderately/severely outdated
 
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Wipe it, reload it, and donate it, IMO. Somebody might like it as a free PC, or $50-100 charity/discount store find.
 
Home server? It'd be great as a file server, print server, or even as a central rig for the family to access the net.


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mfenn said:
I agree. I wouldn't toss any money into that box because it's so old. Time to just let go.
Click to expand...
Ahh..mfenn, always the voice of reason. I think you are right, I need to let it go...

mnewsham said:
My thoughts are throwing in a boot SSD and maybe replace other HDD's with a single larger HDD it will be quiter and probably faster. That would make basic use moderately snappy and reduce noise created by your current drives.

(Get a cheap SSD as your MB probably only supports SATA I anyway)

Getting a smaller case with some sound dampening would help too, check out the define R4

Though it is hard to justify the price when the computer is moderately/severely outdated
Click to expand...

Agreed. To make it quiet, smaller for a home file server, it would be just throwing good money into it when I could put it towards a new storage drive for my existing system.

Cerb said:
Wipe it, reload it, and donate it, IMO. Somebody might like it as a free PC, or $50-100 charity/discount store find.
Click to expand...

Agreed, that is exactly what I will do...donate it.

Thanks folks, seems silly to ask but wondered if the PC that served me so well up until last year could serve me a little more...
 
Kinesis said:
Thanks folks, seems silly to ask but wondered if the PC that served me so well up until last year could serve me a little more...
Click to expand...
Well, being on a tech forum, we assume you have other options. You can get similar or better performance from a $250-450 PC (a new Windows license can account for a lot of it, if needed), using less power, and generating less noise (both as a function of power savings, and that such a concern is more common, today). With PATA, old GPU, an old CPU and chipset, aging PSU, etc., it's likely to just be a money pit for no real gains, unless you really want a 98/XP retro gaming PC. OTOH, someone without a computer, or who's PC just died, or who's PC is so ancient it needs replacing to do anything on the web today, could really benefit.

Two of my local non-profits, that I know of (SA, and one local church's) inspect donated PCs, give them to those that need them, and sell others (probably when nobody needs one, right now). Retired, and generally poor, people, can either afford $10-15/mo. DSL, or get it subsidized, but a shiny new PC is unknown territory for most, the old people are always afraid of being ripped off (and by retail sales people, probably rightly so!), and neither group has the experience to navigate the used PC market effectively. Some of us can, but we've been into this for years, and may have tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of PC parts pass through our hands every year. Such people generally only need basic web access, as well.
 
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smitbret said:
I thought the 3200+ was a single core.
Click to expand...
It is, and the dual cores of the time are rare enough that they are quite expensive. ($50 and way up)

I know, because I deal with them now and then, and I bought a 3800+ x2 when they were brand new because I am an smp nut and this was the first CPU that you could get duallies with a single socket. I still own mine, sentimental value, plus look in my sig. 😀
 
I have a more antiquated PC than that (Athlon XP 3200+, nForce2 mobo, 7600 GS AGP, 2GB RAM). I stuck a refurbished 60GB SSD I got for $38 in it and have all my old games installed on it. I still occasionally play Diablo II, Divine Divinity, Sacred, Morrowind, etc... and I've rather have them not cluttering up my current PC.
 
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