Outdated, Not Useless: Five Things to Do with Your Old PC

Gamers like shiny things. Especially PC gamers. From bloom effects to fancy computer cases, this breed of gamer wants their system to live fast and die young. Too young, if you ask me. Just look at the usefulness that last year’s gaming computer can yield:

1. Keep them around!: Sometimes SNES roms just won’t keep one satisfied. Many older PC titles, like the original Fallout series, Doom, Warcraft II, Space Hulk or even the classic Age of Empires are a real hassle to get working on newer versions of Windows. Often, you have to wade through a labyrinth of hacks and “solutions” on the interweb that further complicate the problem. Who wants to edit registry information for an hour just to re-live the nineties? I certainly don’t.

Hanging on to a decade of archaic, ass-backwards compatible operating systems may actually prove bountiful in the long run. Sure, companies like Gametap and GoG have made a commendable effort in trying to raise PC classics from their grave. Yet, why pay for a game that you already own — but simply cannot run? Ridiculous! Gamers should be able to trade in their copies for modern, functional versions. Though, this leads us to the slippery slope of DRM controversies, which I care not to start discussing.

Despite technology’s incessant progression and abandonment, keeping an older system stowed away for when you crave a break from the modern world of games remains a viable alternative to trashing outdated hardware.

2. Scavenge for parts: It’s easy to look upon an ancient computer with scorn, its disproportionate, once-stylish features amounting to nothing more than a chassis full of useless junk. 56K dial-up ports? Ha! Don’t make me laugh. Surely with time it’s lost its all-knowing aura, but let’s not be so brash.

Power cables, monitors, cd-drives, cases (albeit boring ones), power supplies, and hard drives are all components that can be used as foundational pieces for a modern gaming rig. Save money on parts the next time you feel the need for yet another system. Yes, dual processors and sparkling lights affixed to a case that resembles any one of the bosses from Mega Man are nice. But they certainly don’t add to the core game, create some magical advantage, or imbue you with 1337 skillz; once a noob, always a noob — technology will never make up for talent.

3. Host some stuff: Depending on the age of your banished, relic of a machine, you can host a dedicated server of your favorite PC game, or support a website through it. The next time you are afflicted with insomnia, don’t get locked into playing in a laggy server simply because it’s the only one with players at that time of the night. Own on Counter-Strike with single digit ping by hosting on your old system, and fragging on the new one!

4. Donate!: Though maybe outdated for the purposes of gaming, older systems make great donations to libraries, community centers, or those who can’t afford basic computing needs. If that isn’t your scene, setting up a younger gamer with something like Starcraft is simple enough, and has them on the track to becoming pro in no time.

5. Recycle the beast: If none of these options impressed, well, you can always recycle an old gaming PC properly at a specialty store. Often for little to no fee, you can recycle your computer parts without scoring a headshot on the environment. And who said gamers aren’t responsible?!

Running games with max graphics is indeed a luxury, though arguably pretty important to most PC gamers. With each year, technology improves, challenging what games are capable of accomplishing, and expanding the potential for what people can experience through them. Regardless of when a game surfaces, it contains its own set of experiences. Older games are worth preserving, even if that means maintaining older systems.