Should i Get my Old Boot Drive outta My Older PC

Hello All

Should i get my Older M.2 Boot Drive outta my Older PC?

I do have a USB C External Enclosure to use it with

That PC has been off since July 2024, as i don't have a space to set it up yet to put it back in use

Intel 10700, 32GB DDR 4 2666mhz, Geforce 1660 Super, Thermaltake V200 TG RGB Case (wanna change the case at some point if i can ever get that done)

As with a Case change it should then fit into 3rd HouseHold PC Desk that Family member wants to stick with, and finally Replace HP P6-2133W 2011 Desktop at least is the plan right now

I have a 256GB NVMe M.2 2280 Intel drive [with the Optane feature] that I salvaged from an older Notebook and put in a Sabrent USB-C case. I wiped and formatted it to use for storage. The Optane part doesn't show or affect the use. I also have a 256GB NVMe M.2 2230 in my parts box.

Due to motherboard and BIOS plus possible Activation differences I had no intention to put in a different computer.

Yeah that is why i didn't put that old one into this AMD Ryzen based build, plus its Gen 3, and i was like i'll just get a Gen 4 better Boot drive than the Kingston This Desktop came with, and at Christmas i did lol

May still use though in My Sabrent USB-C case the old Samsung 970 Evo Plus as External for Extra storage, its only 500GB though.

Old Machine might put back into service eventually as newer 3rd Household PC, if it fit into the desk down there now, it already would be i think

Other issue is Family member that typically uses the 3rd household PC--doesn't like The Tempered Glass case lol--easy fix if i can find a Micro ATX case with Solid side panel, or ATX case that accepts Micro ATX board lol.

The only small case I have is a Dell OptiPlex SFF/ Small Form Factor running Win10, has both the Ethernet adapter and the Wireless/Wi-Fi 5G adapter with Bluetooth. The SFF usually can be laid on their side with the monitor on them. I haven't shopped for an SFF case, they don't have much room in them and any add-in card has to be the low-profile version.

The Current System in the desk down there is a 2011 HP P6-2133W AMD APU based system lol

Desk is a Solid Oak Wooden Desk with Door in front, 2 Shelf Keyboard & mouse level above it, and wide open rear access to ports

It doesn't have those items in it anymore, but the open spot next to Printer shelf on bottom is where Tower goes lol. Thermaltake V200 TG RGB was right up to the top of the above shelf, wasn't easy to plug in the Top USB ports lol

It now uses LCD Monitor, and Keyboard, Mouse, and The HP Tower in lower area

Unless i just trade it in at local PC shop, and get a newer system for 3rd PC down there, maybe AMD based newer APU, i mean really all Family member does is email, Amazon, light gaming--like Jewel 2, and thats about it
Decisions Decisions lol

For now i'll just get the Gen 3 M.2 Cleaned off and Decide what doing with Rest of system maybe towards birthday next month for sure

Have you considered an inexpensive Notebook/Laptop for the 3rd user? Some decent ones can be had for $325 to $500. For desk space a 15.6" [diagonal measurement of the screen] won't take much more than about a 15"x12" space.

I have thought about that a bit yes, research Notebook/Laptop more--and goes from there

As plus i'm getting tired of having to unplug the darn usb wifi adapter on that HP PC all the time when user wants to use it lol, but thats only way to get the adapter to work for a bit again lol.

Anyhow cleans off the Gen 3 M.2 possibly tomorrow or next day, and uses it for a little Extra Storage in External M.2 Enclosure

When was this photo taken?

Back in 2011 that was when we were switching from that old hardware to NEW Flatscreen monitor, and the HP P6 2133W Desktop at the time.

Desk features a hole to route the cables down behind the Monitor

We had 2 of those Desks back then, i never liked it, and never used it for my PC lol

But the 2 Seldom Used Family Computers used that desk

Taken with my Old Windows Phone back then
**Used my Windows Phone til 2015 lol when finally switched to Android** once Windows Phone support went away lol

First had Windows Phone 7 with HTC Surround, and Windows Phone 8--Nokia Lumia 920

yes i know that Hardware was ancient lol--we got rid of a ton of stuff when moved in 2018 lol

Carrying the CRT monitor up the stairs wasn't too fun lol, i nearly fell lol trying to carry the heavy thing up.

bikemanI7 said:

Back in 2011 that was when we were switching from that old hardware to NEW Flatscreen monitor, and the HP P6 2133W Desktop at the time.

Desk features a hole to route the cables down behind the Monitor

We had 2 of those Desks back then, i never liked it, and never used it for my PC lol

But the 2 Seldom Used Family Computers used that desk

Taken with my Old Windows Phone back then
**Used my Windows Phone til 2015 lol when finally switched to Android** once Windows Phone support went away lol

First had Windows Phone 7 with HTC Surround, and Windows Phone 8--Nokia Lumia 920

Click to expand...

You don't want to put a tower inside an enclosed space. The back may be open but there's not enough air movement there. You can get one of those PC cart with wheels if you don't have enough desk space for the tower.

Yeah mine is in open CPU Tower space on my own desk, always has been lol

Yes i agree enclosed space not good, if only had room next to that Desk downstairs to put a Tower on wheels lol, but right now theres an End Table & Lamp next to the desk, Couch next to that, Bookshelf.

Well i'll get it figured out and all going good