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How can I make the most of old CPUs?

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I am about to retire a number of PCs at work. I have a half-dozen Compaq desktops, all 1GHz; a similar number of Dell Optiplex GX270 - three at 2.8GHz, two at 2.6GHz - and one 2.8GHz GX280, plus all the memory. Does anyone know of a motherboard that I can use to take a set of these CPUs, either the Compaqs or preferably the Dell, and make either a two or greater processor unit to give some oomph to a home-made media centre/DVR that I shall also be putting other used parts into?

It's all new to me, but before I start buying some bits, I need to know that the essential guts would work first. I’ll be doing the same with a bundle of Xeon processors all out of Poweredge 2650s as well if that would be better, although some at least will stay in their chassis to support the desktop unit if I can build it.

Latest Comments
Anonymous Coward

Its about parts availability

The PCs will probably not be re-used and security concerns will most likely prevent us releasing these for onward sale. I just wondered if I can make one or more "super-duper" units out of what is available, hopefully with relatively little cost for other parts required.

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Staff costs

I get the impression that you're going to do this work yourself. Have you actually costed it out, including the cost of your own time, plus the likelihood that these will need possibly more hardware support until they reach final end of life?

You may be better just reformatting the hard disks and taking them to the local recycling place and buying new ones.

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