AI on an older PC with a CPU that apparently doesn't have AVX >:,(

June 8, 2026

1:09

AI on an older PC with a CPU that apparently doesn't have AVX >:,(

Here’s something that might surprise you — an old PC, with a CPU that apparently doesn’t support AVX, can still run AI workloads. ((slower)) /u/Independent-Sound196 shared his project: upgrading a vintage machine with shiny new SSDs, high-end GPUs, and fresh cooling. But here’s where it gets interesting — despite all that hardware, he hit a wall. Turns out, many large language models need AVX support, and his CPU, a QX6700, just doesn’t have it. So, even with 22GB of GPU power, he’s stuck because his processor can’t handle the necessary instructions. ((thoughtful)) What’s wild is that this isn’t a rare problem — lots of folks want to repurpose old gear for AI, but compatibility issues get in the way. So, the question is — can you do anything besides just admire it humming along at 25 degrees? Honestly, this situation highlights how much of a bottleneck outdated CPUs can be, even when you’ve got the GPU muscle. The takeaway? Sometimes, hardware limits aren’t what you expect — they shape what’s possible.

OK.. so I've had this reasonable PC sitting under my desk for ages.. NOT working because of some reason or other. But it was my baby as is housed in a lovely Soprano DX silver brushed case.

SO, I swapped out the old HDD for a couple of SSDs (a couple of mirrored OS disks and a large 2TB storage disk) I swapped out the Nvidia 780ti graphics card for a couple of OG Nvidia 1080ti's. I pulled the whole thing to bits.. repasted the northbridge chip, southbridge chip and central CPU. Upgraded the fans to push pull the CPU heatsink. Wrapped ALL cables in mesh and it's so lovely now. Installed Windows 10 Pro. Installed the Nvidia App. Installed CrystalDiskInfo and all is sweet 😄

EXCEPT... I'd like to use this old bangin box for an HG AI server... now I have read that ALL LLMs need this thing called AVX (Advanced Vector Extensions) I didn't even know that was a THING! So even though I have 22Gb worth of GPU sitting there that I was going to point everything to, because I have a lame ass QX6700 CPU sitting on a kickass D975XBX2 (BadAxe2) main board I CAN NOT fulfill my wish for this OG box to be a headless source of awesomeness sitting in it's home under my desk supplying me with a home grown AI.

IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO?!?!?! Surely after all this time of parts getting munched by AI farms a plenty people have been using what's around to do what they will...

Does anyone know of anything I can do apart from just look at it running at 25 degrees aircooled humming along so lovely... it NEEDS purpose!!! 😄

Cheers and thanks all

submitted by /u/Independent-Sound196
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Audio Transcript

OK.. so I've had this reasonable PC sitting under my desk for ages.. NOT working because of some reason or other. But it was my baby as is housed in a lovely Soprano DX silver brushed case.

IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO?!?!?! Surely after all this time of parts getting munched by AI farms a plenty people have been using what's around to do what they will...

Does anyone know of anything I can do apart from just look at it running at 25 degrees aircooled humming along so lovely... it NEEDS purpose!!! 😄

Cheers and thanks all

submitted by /u/Independent-Sound196
[link] [comments]

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AI on an older PC with a CPU that apparently doesn't have AVX &gt;:,(

AI on an older PC with a CPU that apparently doesn't have AVX >:,(