Server > Gaming PC Conversion

[The Flying Sloth]

So I recently did a count of the useless computers and parts I have lying around and figured, why not have some fun and build an EVEN MORE unbalanced gaming rig than what I currently use as my screw around-light gaming PC.

The current PC is a
C2D E7400 (socket 775 dual core 2.8 ghz, almost same as a Pentium 6300)

4GBB DDr3 Samsung Ram

Raedon HD 6950

 

For the same cost to buy 8GB of ram for this system I could buy a

Dual Xeon 5430 (quad core)

32GB ECC RAM

Should I grab the 8GB ram or the server and steal thee GPU from PC 1

(I know both of these are  stupid ideas but I need a crappy PC lying around for fun to try my ghetto watercooling ideas with)

[RuLeZ]

The Dual Xeon will be way more powerful, but is the MB included? They can be very expensive.

[Electronics Wizardy]

28 minutes ago, The Flying Sloth said:

So I recently did a count of the useless computers and parts I have lying around and figured, why not have some fun and build an EVEN MORE unbalanced gaming rig than what I currently use as my screw around-light gaming PC.

The current PC is a
Pentium E7400 (socket 775 dual core 2.8 ghz, almost same as a C2D 6300)

4GBB DDr3 Samsung Ram

Raedon HD 6950

 

For the same cost to buy 8GB of ram for this system I could buy a

Dual Xeon 5430 (quad core)

32GB ECC RAM

Should I grab the 8GB ram or the server and steal thee GPU from PC 1

(I know both of these are  stupid ideas but I need a crappy PC lying around for fun to try my ghetto watercooling ideas with)

What server?

 Most of those need modding to use a gpu. They also don't have audio, or usb 3/more than 2 ports. If your getting a rack server they will be hot and lout.

[The Flying Sloth]

1 hour ago, RuLeZ said:

The Dual Xeon will be way more powerful, but is the MB included? They can be very expensive.

The entire server is included (without HDDs)

 

1 hour ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

What server?

 Most of those need modding to use a gpu. They also don't have audio, or usb 3/more than 2 ports. If your getting a rack server they will be hot and lout.

It has a spare PCI slot for a GPU, I have external USB sound cards I will be using with it. If all else fails I can just stick in one of my spare PCI USB cards.

It is a tower style server from around 2006-7 most likely used for physics applications or file storage.
Like I said, I will be using it as a bash around build and using it to test some DIY watercooling ideas I have.
All I'm looking for is raw performance , if it performs better than the current 7400 build (with 8G upgrade) i'll be getting it.

Should be more fun anyway

[Electronics Wizardy]

1 minute ago, The Flying Sloth said:

The entire server is included (without HDDs)

 

It has a spare PCI slot for a GPU, I have external USB sound cards I will be using with it. If all else fails I can just stick in one of my spare PCI USB cards.

It is a tower style server from around 2006-7 most likely used for physics applications or file storage.
Like I said, I will be using it as a bash around build and using it to test some DIY watercooling ideas I have.
All I'm looking for is raw performance , if it performs better than the current 7400 build (with 8G upgrade) i'll be getting it.

Should be more fun anyway

Yea that looks good. Id get it for 50.

[The Flying Sloth]

1 minute ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

Yea that looks good. Id get it for 50.

Even if it is toast, secondhand ECC ram goes for about $10 per GB, all I need is 5GB of good ram to make my money back  

[The Flying Sloth]

Just did a quick look over some benchmarkd, an FX6200 with mobo and 8GB ram goes for about $200 used in AUS, I'm getting equivalent CPU performance and much better RAM with this for $50, and there is much better resale value in server parts

[The Flying Sloth]

Looking into PCI8x to 16x adapters, maybe crossfire some 6950's and CPU watercooling with car radiator. Stick some RGB LED's in there and everyone who doesn't know better will be drooling . Will do a build log when parts arrive