Summary
Highlights
The video starts by reflecting on 2016 and the significant changes in the PC landscape since then. Despite advancements like increased CPU cores and AI, most daily computer use, primarily web browsing and chat, hasn't changed. The presenter aims to test how usable a 10-year-old office computer remains today, especially for modern tasks like gaming and video editing, and highlights an opportunity to acquire such machines cheaply due to Microsoft's Windows 11 policies.
The video focuses on Dell Optiplex and Precision computers featuring 6th or 7th gen Intel processors, clarifying that while old, they aren't truly 'retro' and are still daily driven by many. Microsoft's controversial Windows 11 minimum requirements, which excluded these processors despite their support for secure boot and TPM 2.0, have led to a flood of these capable machines being decommissioned and sold at very low prices. The presenter argues against discarding these still-useful computers, suggesting it's a good time for a reality check on general computer utility.
The video introduces three computers fitting the category: two desktops (Optiplex 7050 and Precision Tower 3620) and a laptop (Precision 7520). The desktops, both with i7 7700s, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and NVMe SSDs, perform similarly. The Precision Tower 3620 is chosen for testing due to its standard internal connectors and ATX PSU compatibility. It's upgraded with an RTX 2060 Super GPU. The laptop features a Core i7 6820HQ, 24GB DDR4 RAM, a 512GB NVMe SSD, and an Nvidia Quadro M1200 GPU, expected to perform similarly to the desktop without the added RTX card.
The laptop, running Windows 11, proves to be a perfectly usable daily driver with snappy performance. For gaming, 2D and older 3D titles run excellently. More demanding AAA games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider (2018) achieved 30+ FPS at 1080p medium settings, and Sonic Frontiers (2022) ran acceptably at low settings. Monster Hunter World (2018), while struggling, could achieve acceptable framerates with settings and resolution turned down. The laptop's productivity performance with tools like GIMP and DaVinci Resolve is also highlighted as excellent.
The desktop, connected to a 4K monitor, handles basic use and older 3D games like Hollow Knight and even BioShock Infinite at 4K with no issues. For more strenuous tasks, Monster Hunter World runs comfortably at 4K medium settings with the 9-year-old CPU and 7-year-old GPU. Cyberpunk 2077 achieves over 70 FPS at 1080p low. Crucially, all these tests are performed on Linux Mint via the Proton compatibility layer, demonstrating that these machines can be highly capable even when Microsoft refuses to support them with Windows. Productivity tasks like 3D rendering (Blender) and 4K video editing (DaVinci Resolve) are also found to be quite good, though rendering times can vary.
The video emphasizes the most significant advantage of these older, inexpensive computers: their potential as excellent and cost-effective home servers. Running services like Jellyfin (a Netflix alternative) and Nextcloud (a Google/iCloud alternative) locally on a home server helps users reclaim power from big tech companies. The presenter demonstrates setting up XigmaNAS and installing these services, showcasing how easily they can replace subscription-based cloud services for media streaming and file storage. The versatility extends to password managers, photo backups, and home automation, offering a fulfilling and independent tech experience while making a small positive impact against planned obsolescence.