Hawrdware Grab?

[Dylan]

Between Black Friday and potential tariffs, did anyone else just grab a bunch of hardware? I did, but I was also motivated by the fact that my current NAS is a 10yo Netgear ReadyNAS. I likely wouldn't have grabbed as much (or maybe even at all) but for the fact that things might be getting more expensive in the future.

[Dudepher]

I only picked up 2 SSDs so I didn’t wipe my main machine. I just did a new build back in September so I really didn’t need to get anything else. 

Not looking forward to the possible Tariffs. lol 

I should be good for a while though. If I end up building a new machine I might try the scrap yard wars method. Just getting second hand parts (just not drives)

[AleiCat]

I didn't. Ipicked up a lifetime license, but that wiped out my spending money at the moment.  I need to pick up spinning rust for the pool, too... The tariffs are gonna hit me pretty hard, I think.

[AleiCat]

11 minutes ago, Dudepher said:

...If I end up building a new machine I might try the scrap yard wars method. Just getting second hand parts (just not drives)

Imo, that's ythe best thing to do unless you really need new hardware. Keep e-waste from actually being waste! A lot of the hardware I get, I get from eBay. I tend to go for older hardware, giving it a new life.

[Dudepher]

49 minutes ago, AleiCat said:

Imo, that's ythe best thing to do unless you really need new hardware. Keep e-waste from actually being waste! A lot of the hardware I get, I get from eBay. I tend to go for older hardware, giving it a new life.

That’s the plan moving forward. I’m still semi new to building computers. I know how to, and I know some differences but get completely lost in the naming conventions. 
 

Core count, threads, clock speeds for the most part makes sense. But like the architecture and what the model name means and if that’s a “good” CPU I’m completely clueless. lol. 
So when I eventually need to upgrade or replace it’ll be interesting, or when I build a system for my partner. 

[Dylan]

I think this kinds of technical frugality has so many positive points. As mentioned above, e-waste but also forcing you to figure out how to run leaner systems, how to tease out every last bit of performance as you can. Going beyond just understanding WHAT things do but, more importantly the HOW/WHY they do them. The price increase are unfortunate but there is opportunity to really get creative with your gear.

Cheers!

[AleiCat]

Not to mention, when hardware finally dies for the last time, it makes for fantastic decorative knick-knacks!

[jpadgett]

On 12/6/2024 at 1:15 PM, Dylan said:

I think this kinds of technical frugality has so many positive points. As mentioned above, e-waste but also forcing you to figure out how to run leaner systems, how to tease out every last bit of performance as you can. Going beyond just understanding WHAT things do but, more importantly the HOW/WHY they do them. The price increase are unfortunate but there is opportunity to really get creative with your gear.

Cheers!

 I really like my Dell r530 that's running Unraid with 8 drives,. My Dell 730XD which is 26 drives 2.5 is running HexOS both machines are 24 core. It also HAS the Idrac Console connection for complete control when the system is offline, plus it has a full terminal mode.

[beardedbrewer]

In preperation for the tariffs, I did end up buying parts for my first gaming PC build, which is now built, but my wife will be using it to game mostly... and in the future I'm hoping to build a second... or buy a pre-built... Which ever is going to be more cost effective at the time... I wanted to order some network upgrades (I'm planning on upgrading my home network to all Ubiquiti equipment) but lost the chance to, now I have to pay some bills down and prep for getting floors put in as well as getting an electrician to add a couple of outlets and running new circuits in our garage. 

I'm lucky enough to work for an IT company where when one of our clients is getting rid of older hardware, they contacts us to e-waste it, and sometimes we can get our hands on some pretty cool hardware that someone gets to take home. 

And as mentioned above, I, too, will probably going the scrap yards way to upgrading my NAS hardware down the line. 

[Dylan]

10 hours ago, beardedbrewer said:

And as mentioned above, I, too, will probably going the scrap yards way to upgrading my NAS hardware down the line. 

Hey man, total respect for the DIY used gear approach. I was lucky enough to be in a position to lay out for some new gear but I also made my previous NAS last 10 years so it was time to go new. That said, I've kinda shot my shot and also have home upgrades that'll hit my checkbook this spring.

Good luck!!

[MaLiXs]

my "nas" is only my "old" gaming pc that I remove the gpu and put few more 2tb hdd that I got for like 20$ CAD each (used) not a single component of this pc isn ot I would call "recycled".

[Dylan]

On 1/21/2025 at 5:34 PM, MaLiXs said:

my "nas" is only my "old" gaming pc that I remove the gpu and put few more 2tb hdd that I got for like 20$ CAD each (used) not a single component of this pc isn ot I would call "recycled".

Respect.