Old system uses?

Simon_89 · 6 Jun 2012 at 09:26

Once i've got the money sorted for my new build i will be left with my old pc.

Rather than it just collect dust i'd rather it be useful.

what sort of things can i do with it?

Pentium 4 2.8Ghz
1GB DDR ram
180GB HDD
XP Professional

Thanks

shadow_boxer · 6 Jun 2012 at 11:40

1. Downloading rig.
2. HTPC or server.
3. Bin it / try to sell it.

trickynickyuk · 6 Jun 2012 at 12:20

i would use it for a downloading rig just saves loads of clutter on you main pc

Simon_89 · 6 Jun 2012 at 12:27

I thought about partioning the drive and sticking Linux on it as i've never used it before.

Don't want to bin it, has many uses until it dies

trickynickyuk · 6 Jun 2012 at 14:47

could do could also try ubutu i think it is defo use it as a download computer as well

jamesfreddie · 6 Jun 2012 at 14:53

I wouldn't use it as a download machine as it will pull about 80 - 100 Watts. And your new machine will use much less power.

Mabe a linux machine

InfiniteNoise · 6 Jun 2012 at 14:57

With only 1GB of RAM, try a lightweight Linux distro like Lubuntu or Xubuntu and go from there.

Simon_89 · 6 Jun 2012 at 14:57

Is there any particular things linux can do that windows can't?

trickynickyuk · 6 Jun 2012 at 15:06

not as far as i know

PistolPete · 6 Jun 2012 at 15:14

Simon_89 said:
Is there any particular things linux can do that windows can't?

Yes, you can install it for free!!

jamesfreddie · 6 Jun 2012 at 15:21

PistolPete said:
Yes, you can install it for free!!

You can install windows for free aswell.

But you have to buy a licence after 30 days.

Simon_89 · 6 Jun 2012 at 15:34

I meant in terms of features. Still will give the HDD a partition and give it a go

matt_fsr · 6 Jun 2012 at 15:35

jamesfreddie said:
And your new machine will use much less power.

Unlikely. Granted, I don't know what spec the new PC is but unless you've built it specifically to be low-power consumption, then its probably over the 100W mark. (my media PC uses all low power components, draws ~60W)

However, the P4 was a pretty power-thirsty CPU but the only way to give it a decent test is to buy or borrow a wall-meter that tells you what its' drawing from the wall.

If you use it a lot for downloading, factor in electricity costs. If you wanna much around with Linux, then don't worry about it.

Other than that, its really bin fodder these days. Or as I prefer, 'target practice'

Greavesy · 6 Jun 2012 at 15:43

I cant think of anything that has't already been mentioned

WHy dont you just destroy it in the most imaginative way you can think of

jamesfreddie · 6 Jun 2012 at 16:09

matt_fsr said:
Unlikely. Granted, I don't know what spec the new PC is but unless you've built it specifically to be low-power consumption, then its probably over the 100W mark. (my media PC uses all low power components, draws ~60W)

However, the P4 was a pretty power-thirsty CPU but the only way to give it a decent test is to buy or borrow a wall-meter that tells you what its' drawing from the wall.

If you use it a lot for downloading, factor in electricity costs. If you wanna much around with Linux, then don't worry about it.

Other than that, its really bin fodder these days. Or as I prefer, 'target practice'

Well he is going to a i5 and they speedstep down.

The entire machine will likley use less than 40 watts idle.

But a northwood will use about 50 watts on the CPU at idle + the rest of the system.

PistolPete · 6 Jun 2012 at 17:27

jamesfreddie said:
You can install windows for free aswell.

But you have to buy a licence after 30 days.

!
You knew exactly what I meant, Mr Pendantic!

Mel_P · 6 Jun 2012 at 18:01

I used my previous PC as a "Windows Home Server" to back up my other PCs / netbook.

jamesfreddie · 6 Jun 2012 at 18:26

PistolPete said:
!
You knew exactly what I meant, Mr Pendantic!

I know.

But you did say free to install.

You should have said its open source and free to use forever.

DrunkRufie · 6 Jun 2012 at 18:32

Greavesy said:
WHy dont you just destroy it in the most imaginative way you can think of

+1 - KILL IT WITH FIRE!!!

I passed my old rig onto a younger family member as it would be more than suitable for them, but creative destruction would have been a fun

Resident · 6 Jun 2012 at 20:33

How about buying a bigger HDD for it and installing FreeNAS on it to use it as a NAS ?

It's what I'm doing with my old rig. Fair enough a 2.8Ghz processor might be overkill for a NAS but it'll make use of the system.