OTish: Any Core2duo desktops super reliable?
Any advice as to core2duo desktops that have really reliable components? I have two Dell E520 type desktops where I did some custom hacks to get Windows XPe installed to run software. XPe is embedded, so it's driver stripped. Any known reliable PCs that are Core2duo or maybe P4? Thinkcenter? HP/Compaq? Some other brand? Needs 6 channel audio, ethernet, ability to put in a lower end older NVidia card (Original was AGP but had it running on a PCIe one.) Curious if there is anything out there that should still be working today without issue. I have old P4 Compaq SFF that I use for disk imaging that has been strong. Longer story: Originally the computers were DFI I believe, and I forget the motherboard model but I still have something close enough. These are for arcade games, Need for Speed/Need for Speed underground. I had them running fine on the Dells pre-covid but now one isn't happy. It's blue screening when it boots into XPe, but passes memtest86+. the PSU has swollen caps, and the mobo had two bad ones. I replaced the bad ones, still blue screens. Time is tight so looking for alts. I think original was P4, but Core2duo is fine. 6 channel audio is needed, ethernet, and USB. Intel chipset is desired because I know I can install the XP copy of the chipset drivers in XPe on the original motherboard then move the drive into the new machine.
On Mon, May 5, 2025 at 2:27 AM Ethan O'Toole via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Any advice as to core2duo desktops that have really reliable components?
I have two Dell E520 type desktops where I did some custom hacks to get Windows XPe installed to run software. XPe is embedded, so it's driver stripped.
Any known reliable PCs that are Core2duo or maybe P4? Thinkcenter? HP/Compaq? Some other brand? Needs 6 channel audio, ethernet, ability to put in a lower end older NVidia card (Original was AGP but had it running on a PCIe one.)
In my experience, the Dell OptiPlex 745 and 755 lines have been very solid. I have had to replace the power supply in an SFF model once or twice, but otherwise no problems. -ken
On any older Systems, such as these, you will have to recap the power supply and the motherboard that is typical of components this age Expect that when you go looking Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device.
On May 5, 2025, at 9:02 AM, Kenneth Gober via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
On Mon, May 5, 2025 at 2:27 AM Ethan O'Toole via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Any advice as to core2duo desktops that have really reliable components?
I have two Dell E520 type desktops where I did some custom hacks to get Windows XPe installed to run software. XPe is embedded, so it's driver stripped.
Any known reliable PCs that are Core2duo or maybe P4? Thinkcenter? HP/Compaq? Some other brand? Needs 6 channel audio, ethernet, ability to put in a lower end older NVidia card (Original was AGP but had it running on a PCIe one.)
In my experience, the Dell OptiPlex 745 and 755 lines have been very solid. I have had to replace the power supply in an SFF model once or twice, but otherwise no problems.
-ken
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