Bought a new gaming laptop. What do I do with my desktop that still runs nice?

[Kendro]

Pentium 4 3.2
1GB PC3200 RAM
256MB GeForce 6800 GT (AGP)
160GB 7200 RPM HDD
16X DVD Burner (Dual Layer)
52X CD Burner

This computer has served me faithfully for over 4 years and since I mostly use my PC for the Internet, iTunes, and movies, I really could have used it for a good 2 more years. I got an amazing deal on this laptop (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=196361) for around $450 so I was pretty much forced to upgrade. Not sure what I should do with it now.

Should I strip it down for parts? I could get around $60 for my 6800 GT since it is the AGP version and buy an enclosure to use my DVD burner and HDD as external drives. Plus I've been needing an external HDD for quite some time. The only problem is that my CPU, RAM, and CD burner would go to waste since I doubt I'd find a buyer.

If I kept the PC intact, how much could I realistically get for it? I'd probably go through craigslist since shipping would cost quite a bit. The PC still runs like a champ and past generation titles like Half-Life 2 and Doom III run at max settings.

[SOSTrooper]

That's really up to you. If you have an HDTV you can use it as a media computer. Or you can sell it on craigslist for about ~$120 - $150 depending on your luck.

[Jest]

Options I would consider

1) Set it up as a media server. Throw a big hard drive in there and load up all of your music and dvds on it. Allow sharing and get all your stuff anywhere in the house from your laptop. Hook it up to the TV/home theater as well and watch from the hard drive.

2) Use it as a Linux test box. Just try different Linux distros if thats something you're interested in.

3) Keep it around so if you have anyone over you can get some LAN action going. I have a half dozen P4s in my basement I use for Worms 2, Warcraft 2, and other oldschool but fun games when I have people over.

4) Do what you said.

100) donate it to charity

1000) Sell it

10000) Recycle it.


There is so much more you can do if you are into playing with it. Such as setting it up as a web-server or Firewall. There are a bunch of guides out there on what to do with old PCs.


Also, Vivi kicks ass. Fuck the nay sayers.

[eugaet]

I'm considering using mine for a storage server once I upgrade. I'll probably end up using FreeNAS.

FreeNAS (http://www.freenas.org/)

[n25philly]

file server

[darthbudge]

I would keep it around as a backup/guest computer.

[Kendro]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to look into using it as a media server or as a Linux "guinea pig" though I might try and sell it as well.