Old hardware: E8400 or X2 6000+

[Dingus]

I want to put together a second rig out of old hardware to try out a few different linux distros, and eventually FreeNAS for a home media server. Ulimately, this machine will be always on.

 

From a previous build I already had

 

MSI K9A2 Platinum

AMD Athlon X2 6000+

ATI HD4970

4 GB Corsair XMS2 800 ram

 

When a friend hooked me up with an old case he had sitting around, he included some other hardware as well

 

ASUS P5Q Pro

Intel E8400

Nvidia GTX260

4GB G-Skill ram speed unknown

 

 

What are your thoughts, what combination of bits and or pieces should I cobble together?  I'll pcpartspicker it later if you request it, I have to go to work now.

[FireFox]

GTX 260, sweet I love those things

[harrynowl]

Use the E8400 and OC it to the moon

 

E8400

P5Q Pro

8GB DDR2

Radeon 4970

[Dingus]

Use the E8400 and OC it to the moon

 

E8400

P5Q Pro

8GB DDR2

Radeon 4970

Any particular reason for the 4870 over the GTX260?

 

Looks like the 4870 draws more power but runs quieter than the 260

[-rascal-]

Any particular reason for the 4870 over the GTX260?

Looks like the 4870 draws more power but runs quieter than the 260

The HD 4870 is the faster card. If memory serves, it competes with the GTX 275.

[biggiebigs123]

kill the 6000+ and over clock the e8400 and turn it into a old school gaming rig or use it as a web based nas or a very strong router with pf cence or you could even sale it on ebay for 100$ 

[LinusTech]

E8400 fo sho!!

[Dingus]

You've all convinced me.  E8400 it is, and I'll look up some overclocking guides to see what I can milk out of this machine. 

 

Thanks for the fast responses, now to see how I can cable manage this old Lancool PC-K1 case with an IDE ribbon.

[harrynowl]

Any particular reason for the 4870 over the GTX260?

 

Looks like the 4870 draws more power but runs quieter than the 260

You said 4970 in OP, which is a dual GPU I think. Back in the ATI days 4870 was the r9 290x and then 4970 would be a 295x2. If I remember correctly that is.

[Dingus]

You said 4970 in OP, which is a dual GPU I think. Back in the ATI days 4870 was the r9 290x and then 4970 would be a 295x2. If I remember correctly that is.

Oops. Fat fingers, early morning, rushing out the door is my only excuse.