Spare 1st gen i7 build...what to do...what to do

I have recently acquired my old i7 920, 8GB RAm, GTX 970 build. I am not sure what to do with it as I already have a gaming PC and a server set up. I was thinking of putting Linux on this one and playing with these guides on PCIE passthrough for gaming. Anyone else have any ideas or projects I could do with this machine?

I don't see VT-d listed anywhere in the specs, so not sure if passthrough will be possible.
You could play around with various Linux distros on it, or turn it into a folding machine. Or use it for regular browsing and downloading, or as a PFsense router. Plenty of possibilities really.

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I think VT-d wasn't available in i series processors until the second generation and even then K SKU CPUs didn't support it until Devils Canyon.

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Or put linux on it and use it as a server. Either way really is a good choice.

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I see people selling i7 920 builds for 700-800CAD often. May want to try selling it, if you really don't need it.

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Connect it to the internet via fully open port with admin ssh. Post IP to 4chan and see what happens...

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would make a great linux server tbh.

but its still a competant gaming machine, put an RX460/470 in it and pass it off to a broke off friend or something.

Well! That's one idea out of the window! Thank for telling me though! I

Are you in the UK?

the 4chan idea sounds tempting but pfsense or sell is the logical choice.

You may try to put up your own "Nvidia Grid" solution with it, if your internet connection allows it.

I get about 6 down and about 0.5 up. So i'm going assume that's a no xD

wow, 6 down and 0.5 up is pretty bad for the UK, I assume you don't live near a big city?

Hahah! No! I have 2 neighbours and the closest town is about 5 miles away xD It's genuinely quicker for me drive for 30mins to a friends to download things and drive back than it is for me to do it!

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I feel bad for you, internet in the UK isn't bad near big cities but its a different case in rural areas and as far as I'm aware the rollout of broadband to these areas is super slow. I think I remember reading that the government aims for 95% of the country to have superfast broadband (at least 24Mbps) by 2017 but I'm not sure if that is the case, my guess is that it isn't because BT is providing the infrastructure.

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Yeah it's really crap for me. I don't see them increasing my speed anytime soon but who knows! If i do get fibre one day i'll be very happy. Finger's crossed aye!

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media/file storage/streamer?

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Hopefully but the thing is, "superfast broadband" is still low by broadband standards, I had 20mbps when I was at Sky many years ago but since moving to VirginMedia I've had 30, 50, then 70 and now 100 all as free upgrades over the years so even if you get superfast broadband you'll find it to be really slow in a couple of years especially for a power user, but hey 24mbps is miles better than 6mbps.

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I wish for the day where 1080P videos just work rather than having to sit and wait! xD I can dream

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This is a good idea! I just need a sort out of my media now xD