If you’re looking to build a new gaming computer, you might want to consider using old parts instead of buying brand new ones. It’s a great way to save money while also saving the environment.
There are plenty of ways to reuse old parts for a new build. In this article, I’ll go over three of the most common methods.
Should You Reuse an Optical Drive for a New PC?
The first thing that comes to mind when someone thinks about reusing an optical drive is whether or not it will work with their motherboard and CPU. The answer is yes! If your motherboard has SATA ports on its back panel, then there should be no problem at all. However, if your motherboard doesn’t have any SATA ports, then you may need to use some sort of adapter in order to connect the optical drive to your system.
Should You Reuse a Case for a New PC?
When building a new computer from scratch, one of the things that people often overlook is how much space they can get out of their case by removing unnecessary components. For example, many cases come equipped with two hard drives. While these extra drives aren’t necessary for every single user, having them built into the case means less room inside the chassis. This makes it easier to fit other hardware such as graphics cards, power supplies, etc., which ultimately saves you time and money.
In addition to being able to remove internal storage devices, you can also take advantage of unused PCI slots. Many motherboards today include multiple PCIe x16 expansion slots, but only half of those slots actually support video card installation. By taking off the empty slot, you free up valuable real estate within the case.
The same goes for fans. Most modern computers feature several fan headers located near the top of the motherboard. These headers allow users to install additional cooling solutions without needing to open up the entire case. Removing the header allows more airflow through the front of the case gaming news making sure everything stays cool.
What About Motherboard Components?
Motherboard manufacturers typically offer replacement boards for older models. Even though newer versions of motherboards tend to cost more than previous generations, the savings usually make up for the difference. When purchasing a used board, always check the manufacturer website to see what options are available. Some companies even sell refurbished boards where they’ve taken apart the original unit and replaced defective components.
Motherboard manufacturers sometimes provide upgrade kits for certain motherboards. These kits contain upgraded RAM modules, processors, chipsets, and so forth. They’re perfect for upgrading existing systems because they don’t require replacing the whole motherboard.
Should You Reuse a Power Supply for a New PC?
Power supply units are another component that’s easy to recycle. A lot of times, PSU manufacturers will send customers replacements for broken PSUs. It’s important to note that while these units might look like brand-new ones, they still won’t perform exactly like a new model would. That said, they do represent good value compared to buying a completely new unit.
Parts Probably Shouldn’t Keep
If you want to reuse parts for a new build, keep in mind that most items shouldn’t last forever. In fact, some products could become obsolete before you finish using them. As long as you know what you’re doing, however, recycling old equipment isn’t too difficult. Just be careful not to damage any sensitive electronics when disassembling your system!
Upgrade vs. New PC
While there are plenty of reasons why someone should consider reusing an old PC instead of building a new machine, there are just as many benefits to going all-out on a fresh build. If you have the budget or desire to go this route, here are three ways to save money:
1) Buy Used Hardware
Buying prebuilt PCs at discount stores or online retailers can help cut costs significantly. The problem is finding quality machines at reasonable prices. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be hard. There are tons of places out there selling cheap hardware. For example, Amazon has hundreds of deals every day. Other popular sites such as eBay and Craigslist often host auctions with great bargains.
2) Use Free Software
There are countless software packages designed specifically to optimize performance on low-end hardware. While Windows 10 comes bundled with its own built-in optimization tools, Linux distributions come with their own set of utilities. Both operating systems also include free trial periods that let people test drive various programs before committing to purchase licenses.
3) Install Open Source Drivers
Most drivers aren’t included by default with OS installations. However, if you download the right version from the vendor’s site, you’ll get access to proprietary driver files that work better than those provided by Microsoft. This means you’ll avoid having to pay licensing fees each time you update your computer.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, there are lots of options available when it comes to refurbishing older computers. Whether you decide to buy used components or start from scratch, you’ll find yourself saving quite a bit of cash along the way. Of course, you may end up spending more money over the long run. But if you plan ahead, you can make sure you spend less overall.
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