Older computer - should buy? - school disposed

[hallam2003]

what do you think guys - should I buy a computer from my school, I'm not too sure about the specs, but here is what i know for sure:
P2 166 - really slow
probably 32MB RAM
small HD 2-3 GIG
no sound card
rip-off vid card
and good network card

Obviously I'm not sure about exactlly what kind of stuff it has on it, I figured I could strip down most of it, maybe, depending on MOBO, put in a celery or something cheap and OC it... Today was our first day of school and one of the labs had new computers in it, I asked what happened to the old ones - they were moved to another lab and the ones in there are being sold and donated and all that good stuff...I'm hoping that they are wanting to get rid of some of the network stuff too...they had a great system there...even in a small school...not sure about specs on network...I was told to talk to this head guy... he's not the admin. or anyhting...just a head guy...you know what i mean...I didn't get the chance today...I guess i need to see how much they cost..I'm defiantly not going to pay more than like $75-$100 for it, unless they have something cool on it...I figured, if they have the network stuff too...and i can get a few of them cheap...and i get some friends to chip in, and get some fast proc, and RAM RAM RAM, then I could have some kick **** Q3 Games or something...need vid cards though, guess i caould have players supply them for me...hehehe...ok, just wondering what you guys thought...

HALLAM

[Dputiger]

It's not worth it. There's nothing from the Pentium-class computers that would be useful in a modern day machine EXCEPT that network card--and you can get a good one cheaper than that.

Unless they had great monitors and are willing to throw that in the deal as well, forget it.

[Ygor]

I'd suggest finding out what motherboards they have, if possible. Also, keep in mind that's going to use simms for the ram, add in pairs.

[linux_guru]

It's probably a P1. The first P2's were 233 Mhz. That configuration would make an OK Linux server. Dont pay more than US$100, though.

If you want to run NT, W2K, or do heavy gaming forget it.

[Richard_Cranium72]

If competition gaming is the desired result, a P166 is not a good baseline to start from.
The price is right, a P166 is ok as a home generic use machine, IMO they are underrated as a usable machine.
I used to gripe about "old" machines, I was wrong. They work fine for surfing, light scanning, printing etc.
I loaded a P100 o/c to 120, WOW, with a HP scanner and it ran it great. Also ran Win98, must admit 64meg EDO 72pin RAM.
Get and see what it'll do, without spending Money on it. You may be pleased.

DrVette

[linux_guru]

My No 3 box (my wife uses it) is a P166-MMX / 128 mB system. It works great. It has a 4Mb Diamond Stealth 3D, sound, etc. It chuggs along, year after year, with NT4 on it.

Nothing wrong with a P166; I'd agree with the previous comment "an underrated system". They work fine for general home use: web surfing, email, running office applications, etc.

[lithanus]

Definitly leave that system alone. You can
get something MUCH better these days for
under $800. I dunno how much the school
would charge you for the system described,
but if it is more than a dollar it is too
high. Take your time and get something
better.

Jay

[Eli]

Of course he can get something better for under $800... But since he's considering this one it's safe to assume that he does not want to spend that kind of money. $800 isn't exactly pocket change.

[BP]

You can't piece a system together like that for under $75 unless you get used and worn parts,so I think that would be a fair price.

Besides,it would be a decent 2nd comp for the kids or just web surfing or maybe to even get QuakeI and play a good LAN game http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[fattail]

Like the above said it is a fine machine to surf the internet, or type papers on, but if you are talking about quake3...I dun think so! Dont go any lower than a 333 mhz with 64 megs of ram. The money you would be spending from buying the machine and then doing upgrades, you may as well start building one yourself. Didnt sound like much there could be used if you are talking about todays technology in the 3d gaming area.

[Win_98]

I wouldnt pay anymore then 50 buck for that stuff you say 75-100 buck ya paying for is a rip off. worthless junk, you cant find these stuff for sale anymore. 32meg of ram hmm about 16 bucks and hey it used stuff!!! why pay full price?! the harddrive maybe dieing as well after freaking 4 yrs of heavy usuage.