There are cars out there that are very old but well maintained. They go for more money then they were originally worth and are often still fairly capable vehicles. I’m wondering if we might eventually see a similar situation with microprocessors. Obviously there are many factors that play into this, but I’m amazed that I can currently sell my gtx 1080 ti that I custom cooled for more than I bought it. Part of me is sad to see it go because it still can handle a huge workload and it looks sweet. Will I one day look back and see my card on the market for 5 figures? Will any generation ever look back and see their old chips on the market for 5 figures?
Ask HN: Will there ever be classic “muscle” microprocessors?
1–10 of 13 posts
Re: Ask HN: Will there ever be classic “muscle” microprocessors?
#2One major difference is it's hard to "supe up" an old computer. Harder in general for the layman to repair or modify means you are more likely to need a fully functioning device to be able to use it, less gray area. Also cars are inherently harder to store so there are less of them floating around at any given time if they aren't immediately serviceable they might get junked or otherwise rust into pieces.
That being said writing software for "dead" platforms might level that out
Re: Ask HN: Will there ever be classic “muscle” microprocessors?
#3Re: Ask HN: Will there ever be classic “muscle” microprocessors?
#4One major difference is it's hard to "supe up" an old computer. Harder in general for the layman to repair or modify means you are more likely to need a fully functioning device to be able to use it, less gray area. Also cars are inherently harder to store so there are less of them floating around at any given time if they aren't immediately serviceable they might get junked or otherwise rust into pieces. That being…
Right, dropping a Ryzen or a Rocket Lake into your old Compaq is going to take serious work.
Re: Ask HN: Will there ever be classic “muscle” microprocessors?
#5Probably not in the fast or powerful sense, but if you’re looking to fire up something old and energy inefficient then I’m sure you can find something.
Re: Ask HN: Will there ever be classic “muscle” microprocessors?
#6https://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photogr...
This is a fantastic article — thank you for sharing it!
Re: Ask HN: Will there ever be classic “muscle” microprocessors?
#7One major difference is it's hard to "supe up" an old computer. Harder in general for the layman to repair or modify means you are more likely to need a fully functioning device to be able to use it, less gray area. Also cars are inherently harder to store so there are less of them floating around at any given time if they aren't immediately serviceable they might get junked or otherwise rust into pieces. That being…
I’m no expert on hardware. However, is it possible in the future that our progress towards faster and faster chips slows to the point where a 30 yr old chip is actually not that slow compared to a modern chip?
Re: Ask HN: Will there ever be classic “muscle” microprocessors?
#8One major difference is it's hard to "supe up" an old computer. Harder in general for the layman to repair or modify means you are more likely to need a fully functioning device to be able to use it, less gray area. Also cars are inherently harder to store so there are less of them floating around at any given time if they aren't immediately serviceable they might get junked or otherwise rust into pieces. That being…
I’m no expert on hardware. However, is it possible in the future that our progress towards faster and faster chips slows to the point where a 30 yr old chip is actually not that slow compared to a modern chip?
Moore's Law is definitely slowing, although it's hard to imagine things getting that bad.
Re: Ask HN: Will there ever be classic “muscle” microprocessors?
#9One major difference is it's hard to "supe up" an old computer. Harder in general for the layman to repair or modify means you are more likely to need a fully functioning device to be able to use it, less gray area. Also cars are inherently harder to store so there are less of them floating around at any given time if they aren't immediately serviceable they might get junked or otherwise rust into pieces. That being…
it's hard to "supe up" an old computer
Except Amigas for some reason. People are still making Amiga upgrade kits!
Re: Ask HN: Will there ever be classic “muscle” microprocessors?
#10One major difference is it's hard to "supe up" an old computer. Harder in general for the layman to repair or modify means you are more likely to need a fully functioning device to be able to use it, less gray area. Also cars are inherently harder to store so there are less of them floating around at any given time if they aren't immediately serviceable they might get junked or otherwise rust into pieces. That being…
it's hard to "supe up" an old computer Except Amigas for some reason. People are still making Amiga upgrade kits!
In addition to Ataris as well as the old Macintoshes with NuBus expansion slots.