My first PC ever built is sort of unusable in its current state, and there are a few things I could do:
- Update necessary parts and keep it as a retro-media-compatible PC/nas/server. I love how it has a floppy drive!
- Get rid of it and save money
If I wanted to replace it, I would need to get at minimum:
- motherboard
- ram
- CPU
I’m hoping I can keep using the following parts, some of which have been updated over the years:
- pcie 2.0 graphics card
- 500 W power supply
- monitor / peripherals
- optical / floppy drives
- SSD / HDD
- ATX case (the original case and motherboard PCI slots never lined up quite correctly…) Cooler Master centurion (?)
I’ve never done anything like this, and last time I built a PC was in 2006. I lack a lot of knowledge…
- Is my case likely to be compatible with a modern motherboard?
- Can I buy a modern motherboard/CPU that will be compatible with this other stuff?
- Would it be less expensive to buy another used PC and use its motherboard/CPU ?
I’d be resistant to reuse the power supply. Its long overdue to fail, and if it fails and takes out your brand new stuff, you’ll be a bit unhappy.
Hardisks also. Dont store important data, they are due to fail eventually.
Decide your budget first, everything after that follows. Most likely like others have said ignore that old pc, you get get something much better second hand for very cheap.
- Case is fine even if a little dated. ATX is called a standard just for these types of things.
- Monitor and peripherals are good, power supply could use a refresh and the SSD, HDD I would relegate to secondary drives and just get a new SSD.
- You could look for a used PC, some of the local shops have some decent deals but I personally would avoid any office PC unless you’re just going for a very budget PC or just want to get a cheap CPU. All that proprietary parts and usually non-standard, underpowered PSU isn’t going to be great.
I’ve been bitten before by these non standard things… thanks for the reminder.