So basically I have these 3 older computers that I was thinking about switching parts around to give them all a performance boost enough to fulfill the new tasks I want them to do. The three I have are: Rig 1: P4 3.2GHz (w/ huge Zalman HSF) Asus socket 478 ATX motherboard (pretty good overclocker) 2x512mb Corsair DDR400 PC3200 ATI x700 pro 256mb GDDR3 Gaming case w/ lots of cooling Antec 450w PSU Rig 2: Celeron D 3.33GHz (stock cooling) Asus socket 478 mATX motherboard (can overclock but probably not too good) 1x512mb Kingston DDR400 PC3200 ATI 9200 128mb Basic aluminum case w/ basic PSU Rig 3 (HP): Celeron 1.8GHz (stock cooling) HP Asus socket 478 mATX motherboard (locked bios) 2x256mb DDR233 PC2100 integrated video (64mb max) HP Case w/ PSU Extra parts: Stock P4 fan P4 2.4GHz 2x512mb DDR333 1. I want one to be a file-server, magicjack box (VOIP service), and be able to hook it up to my Sony 55inch TV and watch videos. Also be able to handle the occasional video-encoding if ever needed. 2. I want the second to be a older budget gaming machine, basically something to play older games like CS, Halo, and NFS: Carbon. Rarely if ever, video-encording 3. The third one can be just for basic tasks. Word processing, internet, youtube, light 2d gaming, and maybe CS if possible. What parts do you guys think I should switch around to maximize performance? I’m thinking about switching out the 3.33ghz Celeron D with the 3.2ghz p4 and overclocking the Celeron d. Or giving the 2nd rig the 3.2ghz P4 and giving the 1st rig the 2.4ghz p4 and overclocking that, then use the Celeron D in the older Celeron machine
PC 1, in situ, is the gaming PC. The third PC probably has the lowest power consumption, so make that the file server.
Well actually, I want the file-server to also be hooked up to my HDTV and also be my VOIP box. I'm just not sure if the third PC would be able to handle it. It's only got integrated video. Also so far it's only a 1.8ghz celly w/ 512mb ram so it would probably be lagging if I had it be my VOIP box and watch youtube at the same time. I will be using the VOIP system as my home phone replacement so being able to always use my phone is top priority.
I'd recommend 1GB of RAM for a VOIP box, based on how many problems I had trying to get low memory systems running Skype.
