What do you do with old hardware?

mmoguy43

For a number of years I'd always save my my last rig that would be replaced with a new one. I've also had a tendency to get a new case with a new build. Problem is I don't upgrade as often as I used too and my older rigs can only handle 5+ year old games so duel setups or lan gaming is kind of hard. My old cases and misc pc parts keep adding up.
Do you sell your old one right away? Give it away to friend/family? Or hold on to it until it's finally time to recycle?

Cleffy

I give away to family or recycle them. My phone has replaced my backup system.

Quizzical

I tend to keep it around as a backup in case my newer computer dies.

dave6660

Throw it away the minute I know my new hardware works.

DarLorkar

I usually run mine till something major dies on it, and it is not really worth the bother to save it as an extra.

Since both myself and wife have a computer, not a problem with not having one, when one goes down.

I always take out the HD, do have an old box of those in a closet somewhere...not that i will most likely use them, just to never let them get used by anyone else since they do not get wiped by me most times.

Been lucky so far...never had one die (other than a HD) in less than 5 years. So most i have had to do was upgrade to a better vid card and that was it. Time they start acting up, and finally die, we got our money worth of use out of them, and was more than time to go to a new build. 

Octagon7711

I use to it as backup like someone else said but lately pc quality has improved so much there's really no need.  I have a gaming laptop as backup if the pc goes down.  Replacement parts are easy to get and so is a new system if needed.  

Can't bring myself to throw away old pda's and cell phones.  I still have my Apple Newton, and a few other very old gadgets.

NPCPak

They've been piling up over time... I collect lots of random parts for the past decade and I've only used a few to replace dead drivers and CPU fans. I normally keep the parts to repair computers for people who can't afford a repair shop... but as of late people have been moving to tablets and phones, so my little business has become inactive.

I might end up selling it all online for dirt cheap for people who need specific parts.

postlarval

I only have one PC laptop (for games) and when I get a new one, I donate my old one to family/friends.


All the rest of my equipment is Apple. Those I trade in when I upgrade.

Vrika

Recycle it.

It's been more than 5 years now since I had to upgrade more than just a couple of parts at a time. The old parts I'm taking out one or two at a time haven't been valuable enough to be worth the effort of doing anything more than taking to electronic waste recycling.

hatefulpeace

I dig a hole in the ground and throw it in. This is not funny so no lols, it what i do with garbage throw it in the ground. 

Kyleran

I rip the hard drives out, degauss them with a powerful magnet I own, then beat them to death with a 4lb sledge.  (good fun)

Then I take the whole mess to the recycling center where a I can hurl them about 10 feet down into a large metal bin.

SirAgravaine

I take my old hardware/components into Best Buy, as they recycle all old electronics, including cell phones, laptops, tablets, PC components, cables etc. I'm not even a patron of Best Buy, but I use this service.

Loke666

I usually know someone with a worse rig and tight budget I can give it to.

Harddrives I usually keep a long time, got a slot usb/e-sata rig so I can use then for backup or whatever.

PsYcHoGBR

I pass it on to someone who can use it.

Dagon13

One of these days I'm expecting to open my closet and find a sentient machine that has built itself out of spare parts.  It'll either be a murder machine or a sexy lady, I'm banking on the latter.

Asm0deus

Nyctelios said:

I save them to make a "side PC" with the spare parts. In case of an emergency there is always something "just to browse the internet" or use to test if any peripherals aren't working.

Indeed I keep old parts for hand me downs or just for testing too.

laxie

I give it to my dad, who sells it on (he works in IT).

From experience, anything I save as a "backup" just ends up sitting on a shelf. It's rare that I'd actually be needing a spare part and if I do, I end up using it as an excuse for an upgrade anyway. Giving it to someone in need seems like the best option to me.

Loke666

laxie said:

I give it to my dad, who sells it on (he works in IT).

From experience, anything I save as a "backup" just ends up sitting on a shelf. It's rare that I'd actually be needing a spare part and if I do, I end up using it as an excuse for an upgrade anyway. Giving it to someone in need seems like the best option to me.

Thats my experience too, besides a few basic things like sata cables I replaced for friends, I might not need those myself since most motherboards put in a bunch but someone else usually needs them soober or later.

There is no need to have old motherboards or similar stuff lying around, after a few years they will be useless anyways so it is better to give them away while someone still can have use for them. Besides, it is good to have some + points when you need to move or buy a new couch and need a few guys to help with the labor.