As an IT "professional" I agree that sometimes you just get fed up with opening the case and brute force it. It's why pool noodles are banned from my work. They know nothing would survive our wrath
A score! I started my YT editing on an i5-8400 machine with 8GB of RAM. Bonus of the 8th gen Intel Core processors too is you can legit run Windows 11, plus some other little bonuses over the 6/7th gen.
Heck yeah. I think we're on the verge of the Office PCs with 8th gen CPUs becoming the next super budget machines. The prices are still hanging a little high, but we're getting there. And 8th gen was a nice jump up with them moving to 6 cores.
I've actually worked with an older optiplex computer and run some benchmarks with a 1030 in it. After running the benchmarks with and without the side panel i came to the conclusion that the side panel caused the gpu to thermal throttle thus it performs better without it.
That probably explains why this one was all bashed in, someone probably got mad about the temperature and started smashing it! 😄 Seriously though, that is useful information thanks for letting me know. Even more of a reason for an open wall build!
2:20 not bad specs wise, I wonder if a case swap and a sprinkling of RPG puke would make this a profitable PC? 3:47 what about MAKING a wooden case? That would be pretty unique atheistically.
🙂I have wanted to try a wooden case for a really long time, still plan to at some point in the future. Won't be anything crazy special, like some of the really nice ones I've seen online, but something basic just to do it. I have some project board and trim and stuff like that, could definitely be a fun project!
I just acquired my Dads Overpriced Optiplex 960 SSFF: this thing is Small as hell However, the Baked in Video blows, I was hoping to make a tiny x86 Emulator box but being an SSFF version I can't fit a PCI card in it, I was able to upgrade do a Gen 2 i7 lol Hidin in Dryden, MI
@@LowcastleTech I accidentally Found that @011 Mac-Minis are Killer BATOCERA Systems. Add some RAM & an SSD. You Pay a little extra ($199ish) but they are sleek when finished, I'll have to figure out a way to upload some photos
Sure thing. So basically, a lot of these office type PCs have a Windows activation key that is tied to the motherboard. When you go through the install process it doesn't prompt for a key, it just reads it in the firmware. After you install Windows you can use CMD prompt to pull the key, and (usually depending on the machine) you can see the key in the CMD window, write it down and use it elsewhere if you stop using the original computer. Technically speaking, you are only supposed to use it on one PC at a time. Since I'm not going to run Windows on this machine I plan to pull the key, and use it in a future build. Hope that was clear, I actually did a video where I talk about it and show the CMD and everything on the vids page, called something like "grab a windows key and get a bonus PC" if you need any more clarification. Not all office PCs have this feature, but many of them do, especially certain models of some of the larger brands like HP and Dell.
Another point, the 8th gen Intel processors meet the system requirements for Windows 11. If you take a dremel or wheel cutter to the case, you can cut the existing case into "support brackets" for the PS, Motherboard, and possibly a drive cage. Then, a quick coat of spray paint in the color of your choice...and you will the skeleton you need for a wall mount case. That would also allow you to move the PSU so that it is not blocking your x16 slot. Then, add an additional PSU to power a relatively modern GPU, and you have a Frankensteined and totally out of control PC. PC shenanigans FTW!
🙂 Very true. That's generally the idea, as far as the GPU/PSU. Going to try the smaller "flex" style PSU I threw in one of the older OptiPlex build vids. Has 6+2pin connector for decent GPU and not as heavy. Using the case as a shell would be a good idea, but I'm probably going to just have it all hanging in the open mostly. True to my PC parts hoarding style though, I will keep it around and also keep that idea in mind!
Yeah for sure. I usually just throw Batocera (an emulation-based operating system in case you aren't familiar) on an SSD and put that in a PC. Basically turns the whole thing into a dedicated emulation device. I will go over it a bit, likely in the next video.
One thing I've found useful is to search by the model, or sometimes even by CPU once you know something occasionally pops up for cheap. As an example for that, I know the i7-6700 is pretty decent and a lot of machines with that processor are going for cheap lately. So, what I do is search for "i7-6700", check the category because it sometimes it defaults to something like "components" but I want it to be "computers/tablets" category. And then scroll through the listings looking for devices that are cheaper. Often at this point I will set the price range to filter the expensive results. There are a lot of individual CPUs I have to scroll past, but it will also offer up a lot of different computers that have that processor and are likely to be cheap. From there, if I see a promising listing I check out the other components and condition and stuff. I do the same thing with specific PC models I've had luck with in the past. Also, I like to check frequently and at different times. Just because there aren't many good listings on a Tuesday, doesn't mean they won't pop up on a Wednesday. Sorry about the long answer, I just kind of got rolling there 🙂.
@@LowcastleTech No need to apologize for long answers my good friend! That is super informative and helpful! I sincerely thank you with the bottom of my heart, please keep making content for hunting in eBay and surprise us with good insane prices, deals, and information on how to “fix” the “broken” pc’s. I salute to you from one Junk-PC-salvager to another! :)))))))
It looks like it's a 7060 and not a 3060 (from eBay listing shown) and the case itself. Also since it has 4 RAM slots, the Optiplex 3060 has 2 slots. (seems like all of the 30xx series Optiplex PCs only have 2 slots). So that makes it a better deal! :)
Shoot, yeah it is a 7060, I must have mis-spoke. Wish I could say it was the first time I've done something like that 😂. Thank you for mentioning it though, I will have to add a note to the description box or something.
As a pool noodle wielder yourself, how can you admire somebody using a crow bar on a PC? You're walking on thin ice. As for the case, a rubber mallet and some pieces of wood can do a good job; alternatively, you may be able to source another PC, with the same case but worse specs, from some random site that sells PCs among others *cough* eBay *cough* then swap the panels.
😂 That is a fair point, I have forsaken the way of the pool noodle!!! And that is a good idea with the case thing, but it sounds like fun to nail a motherboard to the wall (slight exaggeration). 🙂
Well, depends a lot on the specs it comes with, as well as price and what you want to do with it. Wasn't super familiar with that one, so I just looked through a few. Looks like some of them have 5th gen i5 processor, which wouldn't be bad at all if you just plan on doing web browsing, video streaming, more basic stuff like that. eBay prices didn't look too terrible either, so just depends on what you want out of it really. And I may do some vids around laptops in the future. I don't have as much experience with them, so I haven't covered them quite as much, but I'm always on the lookout for good deals and such 🙂
Please hit that case with the lump hammer. Most humble and entertaining tech channel out there !!
😄
As an IT "professional" I agree that sometimes you just get fed up with opening the case and brute force it. It's why pool noodles are banned from my work. They know nothing would survive our wrath
😂That is probably wise. Pool noodle destruction very quickly becomes the go to solution!
A score! I started my YT editing on an i5-8400 machine with 8GB of RAM. Bonus of the 8th gen Intel Core processors too is you can legit run Windows 11, plus some other little bonuses over the 6/7th gen.
Heck yeah. I think we're on the verge of the Office PCs with 8th gen CPUs becoming the next super budget machines. The prices are still hanging a little high, but we're getting there. And 8th gen was a nice jump up with them moving to 6 cores.
Just found your channel man u deserve more subs
I appreciate that! And thank you for watching 🙂
I've actually worked with an older optiplex computer and run some benchmarks with a 1030 in it. After running the benchmarks with and without the side panel i came to the conclusion that the side panel caused the gpu to thermal throttle thus it performs better without it.
That probably explains why this one was all bashed in, someone probably got mad about the temperature and started smashing it! 😄 Seriously though, that is useful information thanks for letting me know. Even more of a reason for an open wall build!
@@LowcastleTech you're welcome
2:20 not bad specs wise, I wonder if a case swap and a sprinkling of RPG puke would make this a profitable PC? 3:47 what about MAKING a wooden case? That would be pretty unique atheistically.
🙂I have wanted to try a wooden case for a really long time, still plan to at some point in the future. Won't be anything crazy special, like some of the really nice ones I've seen online, but something basic just to do it. I have some project board and trim and stuff like that, could definitely be a fun project!
0:50 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 *mindless destruction*
😄
I just acquired my Dads Overpriced Optiplex 960 SSFF: this thing is Small as hell
However, the Baked in Video blows, I was hoping to make a tiny x86 Emulator box but being an SSFF version
I can't fit a PCI card in it, I was able to upgrade do a Gen 2 i7 lol
Hidin in Dryden, MI
I like your style 😄. Even 2nd gen, I bet you could get just some basic emulation going with an i7.
@@LowcastleTech Definitely can, but Upscaling systems like Wii/PSP/Dreacast are not happenning
@@LowcastleTech I accidentally Found that @011 Mac-Minis are Killer BATOCERA Systems. Add some RAM & an SSD.
You Pay a little extra ($199ish) but they are sleek when finished, I'll have to figure out a way to upload some photos
@@MotownBatman Very nice! I haven't really messed with any Macs, but that sounds sweet 🙂
hey, can you explain how you can use the firmware key for windows on another pc? I didn't quite follow that part.... 🤔
Sure thing. So basically, a lot of these office type PCs have a Windows activation key that is tied to the motherboard. When you go through the install process it doesn't prompt for a key, it just reads it in the firmware. After you install Windows you can use CMD prompt to pull the key, and (usually depending on the machine) you can see the key in the CMD window, write it down and use it elsewhere if you stop using the original computer. Technically speaking, you are only supposed to use it on one PC at a time. Since I'm not going to run Windows on this machine I plan to pull the key, and use it in a future build. Hope that was clear, I actually did a video where I talk about it and show the CMD and everything on the vids page, called something like "grab a windows key and get a bonus PC" if you need any more clarification. Not all office PCs have this feature, but many of them do, especially certain models of some of the larger brands like HP and Dell.
@@LowcastleTech thanks! i knew about the firmware keys, but i didn't know you could extract them like that, good to know! 😊
@@eliteneo_gta7035 No problem!
Chairdesk cameos: 1:26, 4:27, 5:09
Good deal for that... minor flaw.
ChairDesk time stamps... you may not be the hero we deserve, but you're the hero we need right now.
Another point, the 8th gen Intel processors meet the system requirements for Windows 11. If you take a dremel or wheel cutter to the case, you can cut the existing case into "support brackets" for the PS, Motherboard, and possibly a drive cage. Then, a quick coat of spray paint in the color of your choice...and you will the skeleton you need for a wall mount case. That would also allow you to move the PSU so that it is not blocking your x16 slot. Then, add an additional PSU to power a relatively modern GPU, and you have a Frankensteined and totally out of control PC. PC shenanigans FTW!
🙂 Very true. That's generally the idea, as far as the GPU/PSU. Going to try the smaller "flex" style PSU I threw in one of the older OptiPlex build vids. Has 6+2pin connector for decent GPU and not as heavy. Using the case as a shell would be a good idea, but I'm probably going to just have it all hanging in the open mostly. True to my PC parts hoarding style though, I will keep it around and also keep that idea in mind!
Hey eBay recovery is way overrated haha. I mean the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem so you're doing great!
😂 I do admit it, but I also REALLY enjoy it... so I think I'm at a bit of an impass!
If you didn't use a crow bar to install your RAM, do you even computer?
😂 Excellent point!
Always glad to watch your videos and Chair Desk in action 🎉
Thank you! ⚡🪑⚡
Lucky Optiplex - it gets to sit on Chair Desk.
😄So true!
I love your conent 😀
Thank you, I appreciate you watching!
On one of your next videos could you touch on what software you are using for emulation?
Yeah for sure. I usually just throw Batocera (an emulation-based operating system in case you aren't familiar) on an SSD and put that in a PC. Basically turns the whole thing into a dedicated emulation device. I will go over it a bit, likely in the next video.
@@LowcastleTech awesome! I've messed around with mame and pcem. Really liking pcem right now for emulating 486 and Pentium systems
Any advice when shopping/hunting in eBay for old pcs?!
One thing I've found useful is to search by the model, or sometimes even by CPU once you know something occasionally pops up for cheap. As an example for that, I know the i7-6700 is pretty decent and a lot of machines with that processor are going for cheap lately. So, what I do is search for "i7-6700", check the category because it sometimes it defaults to something like "components" but I want it to be "computers/tablets" category. And then scroll through the listings looking for devices that are cheaper. Often at this point I will set the price range to filter the expensive results. There are a lot of individual CPUs I have to scroll past, but it will also offer up a lot of different computers that have that processor and are likely to be cheap. From there, if I see a promising listing I check out the other components and condition and stuff. I do the same thing with specific PC models I've had luck with in the past. Also, I like to check frequently and at different times. Just because there aren't many good listings on a Tuesday, doesn't mean they won't pop up on a Wednesday. Sorry about the long answer, I just kind of got rolling there 🙂.
@@LowcastleTech No need to apologize for long answers my good friend! That is super informative and helpful! I sincerely thank you with the bottom of my heart, please keep making content for hunting in eBay and surprise us with good insane prices, deals, and information on how to “fix” the “broken” pc’s. I salute to you from one Junk-PC-salvager to another! :)))))))
...👏👍🖖
🙂
What happened to chair desk? :(
It was there, just no introduction.
@@aboveaveragebayleaf9216 with a pool noodle tool too.
It looks like it's a 7060 and not a 3060 (from eBay listing shown) and the case itself. Also since it has 4 RAM slots, the Optiplex 3060 has 2 slots. (seems like all of the 30xx series Optiplex PCs only have 2 slots). So that makes it a better deal! :)
Shoot, yeah it is a 7060, I must have mis-spoke. Wish I could say it was the first time I've done something like that 😂. Thank you for mentioning it though, I will have to add a note to the description box or something.
As a pool noodle wielder yourself, how can you admire somebody using a crow bar on a PC? You're walking on thin ice.
As for the case, a rubber mallet and some pieces of wood can do a good job; alternatively, you may be able to source another PC, with the same case but worse specs, from some random site that sells PCs among others *cough* eBay *cough* then swap the panels.
😂 That is a fair point, I have forsaken the way of the pool noodle!!! And that is a good idea with the case thing, but it sounds like fun to nail a motherboard to the wall (slight exaggeration). 🙂
No you are definitely CRAZY hahahaha
😄Fair!
Oh wow! that case looks like a few of mine I ripped apart haha when I could not get them off the right way
😄These cases need to learn that cooperation is not optional!
is the dell latitude e5450 a good laptop? also will you ever do a laptop video sometime
Well, depends a lot on the specs it comes with, as well as price and what you want to do with it. Wasn't super familiar with that one, so I just looked through a few. Looks like some of them have 5th gen i5 processor, which wouldn't be bad at all if you just plan on doing web browsing, video streaming, more basic stuff like that. eBay prices didn't look too terrible either, so just depends on what you want out of it really. And I may do some vids around laptops in the future. I don't have as much experience with them, so I haven't covered them quite as much, but I'm always on the lookout for good deals and such 🙂
This is turning into the Olympics of the ebay games 😁
Sounds like my kind of event! Also, Chairdesk gets a gold medal, just for being Chairdesk. 😃