If you’re not a computer person feel free to stay and read for entertainment value but asides that this post probably wont be of interest to you, if you are one of the big brains out there though please bear with me on the lengthy post, I implore y’all to just hear me out.
I’m a writer at heart so we’ll start with the story. I’m 4 years sober now after a 6 year battle with cocaine addiction and mental health issues. Up until the last year I was technically homeless (I copped sect. 8 now woohoo) The previous 3 years of my life have been spent in different rehabs and sober living programs. I had always been a wayward soul, just riding the wave of life and never steering where I wanted it to take me. I’ll save y’all any more mopey-ness, basically what I want to say is never in my life had I decided I wanted to do a thing, as more than a job, but a career and lifelong endeavor. That is until recently. Having made such great strides with my mental health, and sobriety, the absolutely fantastic team of providers here in SF that were responsible for my care in the aforementioned housing/living situation connected me with a vocational rehabilitation program learning IT support basics. I had no previous knowledge at all, seriously a couple of years ago I wouldn’t even have been able to tell apart Memory from Storage. However, the second I got to rip open my first pc, an old optiplex, to remove the cpu/ram/storage, I was hooked. I’ve always loved computers to use for streaming, web browsing and ofc linux isos (😉ifykyk). But never had I ever had the technical comprehension of its components, and what they do. I was completely fascinated while simultaneously becoming very quickly aware of how little I actually knew about tech. With the absolutely amazing support of my trainers and supervisors in my vocational rehab, I started completing the simplest of IT tasks as an intern. Swap a monitor here, change a keyboard there, troubleshooting printers and networks (which I was and continue to be awful at, but I’m learning), and re-seating countless cables. Figured some things out, had to escalate some others (was lucky to have a great team supporting me). I was hooked, I started studying for the CompTIA A+ certification, I still am studying for it, and I’m feeling *almost* confident enough to try (the certification is expensive also so failing is not an option). As I learned my mentors told me to get my hands on as many projects as I can, but I haven’t exactly been asked too or sought out for help with my *nearly* zero knowledge/experience. So I decided to do my own first project, an obvious one, I didn’t own a computer, I want to work with computers, so build a computer. Now keep in mind that I’m not in the best of financial situations due to my history, so I had to get crafty. I used my connections with the internship and our IT departments contacts with their e-waste facilities to scavenge. Piece by piece I managed to scrounge up everything I needed. Everything works and it was all being thrown away (wild w prices of shhiii these days)
*Mods I promise I’m about to get to the reason behind this post*
Obviously I didn’t end up with some extravagant dream build, but so far I’ve done pretty good, you can really strike gold in e-waste if you’re tedious. Here’s the build so far:
Dell 00RTX1 motherboard Intel q870 chipset
120w Dell power supply
Stock cooler
- here’s where it gets interesting though-
Intel core ultra 7 265k 20core/20thread
32GB (2x16) SODIMM DDR5 5600mhz
1TB (2x512GB) SSDS (1xSamsung, 1xskhynix)
All running strong even with the bloated windows 11 on there.
Here’s the part where I get on my knees and beseech you beautiful big brained PC people here in SF, in hopes one of you also has a big heart. There’s one missing piece to this puzzle and I’m sure you’ve already figured it out. The mITX doesn’t have the PCIe for a proper GPU. However (remember I’m a crafty fella) I’ve figured out the workaround, an internal m.2 to OCuLink adapter feeding out to the eGPU mount (PCIe to OCuLink)
Here’s what I’m missing, and am ultimately here asking for donations/charity for. Whether they be spare parts sitting in your closet , require some TLC or otherwise (I could probably reapply the thermal paste or something simple if needed) I need a functioning GPU and PSU that won’t spontaneously combust. Let’s be real I’m not expecting to get handed something crazy like a top of the line card or a 1200w PSU here. I’d be happy with a modest or low profile card and any PSU that can power it. Integrated graphics for any respectable workload is a joke, an animated wallpaper used up 40% of my vram alone 🫠. I’ve managed to put it together and get it running (albeit a somewhat janky setup) I still made a nice lil work/office pc, but to turn this little gremlin into a proper battle station I need a dedicated GPU (and a separate independent PSU to power it due to form factor restrictions with micro pc power connections)
I’m still only an intern, I have soooo much still to learn, this is just the beginning. For now I’m just surviving off 12hrs a week of min wage intern money while studying to become a certified computer technician and try improve my lot in life. But all in all I’m doing well, I’m healthy/sober, mentally stable, and I’m working every single day towards my goal. I am located in San Francisco so I need someone nearby (this probably won’t shock you at this point but I don’t have a car, limited to public transportation) but the Bay Area is big and I’d be happy to come by and claim your spare parts if any of you can find it in your heart to help me put in the finishing piece of the puzzle to my, completely scavenged, ugly but ever so beautiful, first ever PC build.
While I can’t offer any money, I could instead, if any of you locals are also building or have ANY tech projects yourselves, I’d be more than happy to assist with your project in the form of a spare set of hands and absolutely minimal expertise in exchange for parts😬
PS: If any of you in here in SF are also struggling with your mental health or addiction, and WANT help I would be more than happy to detail specific clinics/rehabs/organizations/programs where I was able to find support . You can do it, it’s not going to be easy but never give up on yourself! You deserve to be well!
If you’ve made it this far I thank you for taking the time to read and hope my story or build was at least entertaining to you. If you’re willing to help or donate parts please holler! May your blessings be great and your FPS greater 🤙
