Old Computer Still Going Strong

I know the usual post here is someone asking for help or assistance with a hardware issue. I thought I'd go against the grain and post about something that's still working perfectly many years later.

Unbelievable but the computer I first put together just a bit over four years ago.. is still going strong today. Admittedly I have changed the graphics card, upped the RAM, swapped the HDD and added an SSD (yes I know the SATA2 controller bottlenecks the SSD) the core components are the originals. I was trying to find reason to retire this machine and put together a new one and as nice as that sounds I can see no reason to retire a computer that's still more than capable of taking on anything I throw at it. I've never had any issues with quality settings in games and no issues anymore with boot times lol. This thing is still pulling it's own weight all these years later. I have to admit the it's best money I've spent on a desktop.

Core2Quad 2.6Ghz@3.2Ghz Zalman CNPS9700
6GB DDR2 800 (2x2GB & 2x1GB)
Kingston v300 SSD 120GB (boot)
WD 2TB 7200rpm (data)
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R (Intel P45)
SB Audigy
nVidia GeForce GTX 460SE 1GB
32" (no name) LCD TV/Monitor
Windows 7 64 Ultimate

 

Greetings, aidan80.

I made up a phrase one time: "If it ain't broke don't fix it." Really.

We've got several relics around here - for example there's a Gateway G-400 (yes, 400mHz running Windows XP) that the household uses as a print server. Can't beat the service or the price.

 

Actually, with proper "preventative maintenance" there's no reason the "hardware" shouldn't last for many more years. Most electronics go obsolete before they actually fail.

I just recently took 6 working computers to the electronics recycling center that were 9 - 14 years old (the oldest was still running W98). It is my opinion that a properly planned self-built computer will last considerably longer than any factory built simply because a self-build (at least those I build) will be assembled with quality parts all around (Read: a quality PSU and a good case that provides a good "flow" of cool air through it) from day 1.

Since your system already has W7 on it, compatibility for several years to come should not be a problem. Just keep it clean of heat trapping dust, fed with clean stable power, and properly cooled and you should get another 4 or more years out of it.

Incidentally, one of those I got rid of was previously used as a print server too, but the new printer has one built in. Another old XP system is currently used as a backup server and yet another old system is used to play with Linux.

My one and only factory built computer was the first PC I bought for myself in the early 90s and it was a Gateway 486DX that refused to die. Sadly, today's Gateways are not of such quality as (IMO) they share too many budget parts and assembly techniques with their siblings from eMachines.

 

I do agree if it isn't broke don't fix it!.. I still have the original CPU from my first (ancient) computer here and I'm sure it still works. It's an old Cyrix MII PR300 lol. Yes preventive maintenance does a computer a world of good. As does a good surge protector and a decent UPS. Keeping the dust/lint and animal hair (if anyone has pets) will keep things running smooth too. I do concur building is at least for me, always a better option than buying off the shelf. We get to pick out the best components and create something that works exactly how we need it to whether that be based on budget, performance or to have something original. Having said that there's nothing particularly wrong with off the shelf machines. My first and last off the shelf desktop was a late 90's Gateway.

 

1 ℥ prevention = 1# cure

 

Most of them anyway. Besides cutting corners, the main issues I have with factory built systems is all the extra stuff they install on the system most users don't need. These include trial versions of bloated and difficult to remove security software, toolbars, auto-updaters and other junk.

Another issue I have is what they typically don't include - and that is original Windows installation and driver disks (although driver disks are less important than OS install disks).

I always tell my clients who want me to build (or consult them in their builds) a new system for them is that I cannot compete in price with Dell, HP, Acer, etc., but I can build a better computer in any category tailor-made for their computing needs today AND with enough flexibility (read: upgradeability, expansion room) for their future needs.

The problem with cost is that I (or any self-builder) cannot go to Western Digital, Intel, or Asus and promise to buy 1,000,000 hard drives, CPUs or motherboards over the next year. Same thing with Windows licenses.

Yeah, I can build a cheap computer, but I don't build cheap computers. That's not how I run my business, or my personal life.

While not a 100% steadfast rule, generally spending a little more upfront will save you a lot more down the road.

 

Agreed - I use the same mantra. The sad thing is, though, that when it comes to used PCs here in the poor-*** South most people cannot justify a major repair job when they see the $300 desktops and laptops at the local Best Buy or Walmart. Sure, I can fix the dinosaurs for cheap if it's a simple problem, but if it's a couple of hundred dollars? No way.

And I don't blame them. I encourage them to buy an off-the-shelf if that's what they can afford, and I try to steer them down the right path. If they want a hotrod and they've got the cash, I can build with the best of them.

Frankly, though, I think we're a dying breed: everything's going handheld anyway.

 

Or even notebooks - which still sell well. But with no ATX Form Factor standard for notebooks, there is no "industry" to self build so self-built notebook options are extremely limited.

Consequently, notebooks (and handhelds) and very proprietary - which is bad for consumers.

For example, with a PC, you can buy an Antec case, Corsair PSU, Gigabyte motherboard, XFX graphics card, Intel CPU, Crucial RAM, WD HD, Samsung SSD, and Creative Labs sound card, then be 100% certain they will (1) physically fit together with all sockets, slots and mounting points aligning perfectly, (2) all electrical and data connections will be physically and electrically compatible, and (3) once assembled they will all work together as a harmonious "unit".

 

"Crapware" SUCKS!

Thank the geeks for "Revo".

Traditionally most "consumer" boards have been dead end mobo.

No real BIOS update protocol, or support for alternate CPUs. Either you slipstream the Unicode into an unsupported BIOS to support an "alternate" CPU without
"bricking" the unit, or it's e-waste.

Being a geek has it's benefits. A "consumer" system rarely ever lasted seven years...

"Planned Obsolescence"

:-D

 

Not sure what you mean by "consumer" system, but in general, I unhappily disagree with your statement. If you look at many home users and big corporate networks, many are still populated with basic "office" type systems still running XP that keep chugging along, day in and day out, still fully capable of creating Word documents and processing email. If they would die, consumers (business and home) would be forced to upgrade to new systems and new (and MUCH MORE secure) operating systems - making the computer world a much safer place for all of us.

But because these systems keep on working 8, 9, 10 years or longer, XP still holds a significant usage share worldwide.

Being a geek just means we are willing (if not eager) to retire perfectly good systems before they die.

 

I agree, funny enough I offer the same advice to people to spend a bit more $ on a custom machine and get it made exactly they way they want with room to expand in the future. I, myself rarely put together computers for people anymore which is unfortunate as I did and still enjoy it. I suppose this is the price we pay if we are to leave the trenches.

 

My second job is in retail for a major corporation who shall remain nameless, and I will tell you that yes, they do hang on to older machines. As a matter of fact, they do so for far too long. When you are pushing online content to close sales on unavailable, or out of stock "brick and mortar" merchandise, it helps to have hardware that WORKS.

The old single core systems running XP with less than 2GB of RAM are painfully slow and antiquated. Platter hard drives that have been running for over five years don't help. The tech gurus from on high have finally started supplying us with Core2Duo systems, but only within the last year after A LOT of "squeaky wheeling".

It's a poor workman who blames his tools, but of course when "tech support" can't even grasp that a machine which just arrived at the store needs a new image via PXE because there is no OS to boot, the problem ain't just the old hardware...

 

Having been "tech support" for major global organizations, I can tell you it is likely not that they cannot grasp the situation. They are probably just as, if not more frustrated than you. But it is likely their hands are tied by budget constraints, regulations and policies too. A big problem and concern for IT tech support is software auditing. At the corporate level, the threat of 5 years in jail plus up to $250,000 fine per violation (not to mention, getting fired) is a major motivator to ensure licenses are properly used. Another big problem for IT at businesses is their users dinking with the systems - often breaking functionality creating system downtimes. Or worse, the user infects the network. Bosses don't like it when the tools of the trade go off-line and productivity is lost, and they really don't like it when company records or customer information is compromised.

So they often MUST image systems to ensure security, efficient training, software auditing, proper utilization and maximum uptime. And PXE actually works pretty well for that.