Well I keep an Excel sheet updated with my CPUs. Absolutely most Intel. I keep a tab for "each" architecture - like 486, P5-P6, Netburst, Core2 and Core i. The latter I keep all generations in the same tab. It's like an overview of which versions in which variants exist - and which do I own. Then I have a tab for motherboards, and a couple of tabs for "thoughts" as in which P6 CPUs clock to which speeds at which FSB, and are they likely to achieve it.
Thinking now that a GFX card tab would be a nice addition - but "someone" has been stockpiling that stuff as well 🤣

[Edit] added a screenshot of part of the P5-P6 tab. Green, I own.
[Edit2] Well, green text and background, I own, green text only, I have bought but not had shipped yet ..

I sort of made an inventory of all of the RAM modules I have a few years back, because I had put so many of them in small anti-static bags or boxes and then forgot what module I had where. It also allowed me to "see the bigger picture" of how much RAM I had vs. how many machines/boards I had, so I could see if I could build each one and still have enough RAM (turns out, probably not, especially now a few years later.) Nothing serious or tidy like yours abovce, though - I did it on a flying piece of paper. 🤣

Then about 2 years ago, I moved across the pond from the US to EU. I didn't organize my move in the best possible way, despite the best intentions to do so... but early on when I was packing my HDDs, I did also make a list of that, same way like I did for the RAM above. And from that I can tell you I don't have anywhere near enough storage devices compared to motherboards and systems I have... which have increased significantly in the last year! It's a shame how many people pull out and destroy their old HDD just for security reasons. Just wipe out your files and DOD/zero-fill the empty space + MFT.

As for motherboards and video cards, I don't have anything inventoried. It's all in my head (still.) Too lazy to go doing that and too many stuff. Interestingly enough, I know just about everything (or a good 90%) I have/own and where I can find it... which is some 60+ systems (I think) at this point + parts for maybe 15 more... all scattered in many different locations. IDK, my mind is just good at remembering this kind of stuff. Ask me about someone's name that I just met 2 minutes ago, and I'd be completely blank.

I don't currently, but I am thinking about it especially for video cards and sound cards.

I've occasionally found myself finding hardware I had forgotten I owned or in some cases buying duplicates of something I already had.

Every time I try to make an inventory list of my stuff I find something fun and start to build something.

Some day... some year... 😀

Every time I try to make an inventory list of my stuff I get a headache as there is just too much stuff 🤣

OSkar000 wrote on 2025-07-09, 05:49:

Every time I try to make an inventory list of my stuff I find something fun and start to build something.

Some day... some year... 😀

Sounds kinda familiar 🤣

Yes, I keep a TSV plain text file like it's the dark ages.

Manufacturer, model number, and datecode (where known) for all parts and then categorised by:

• cases (external dimensions, mobo form factor, PSU form factor, number of PCI slots, number of drive bays)
• motherboards (form factor, socket, chipset, number of RAM slots, number and type of expansions slots)
• CPUs (socket, SSpec or equivalent, clocks, TDPs)
• RAM (type, speed, size)
• graphics cards (memory size, interface, DirectX version, output connectors)
• sound cards (interface, capabilities (e.g. A3D or EAX), output connectors)
• other expansion cards (interface, various speeds, etc)
• drives (media, dimensions, speeds, capacity)
• power supplies (rating, form factor)
• monitors (type, aspect ratio, diagonal size)
• HIDs by connector
• miscellania

Each has some notes and a specified location - either a labelled box if loose or a build if in an actual machine. Keeping it up to date is a real pain in the arse when I realise a part isn't where it's supposed to be.

I have a Google sheet that I've been maintaining for ~10 years. Separate sheets for CPU, sound cards, etc, but not much detail for each. In hindsight I wished I'd done a couple of things differently:

- instead of just deleting things from the list as I got rid of them, I should have just crossed them out / hidden them or something. I'd like to go back and look at my collecting history. Google sheets does keep backups which I can refer to so one day when I have time I can recreate the full list, but that will take some effort.

- I should have recorded where I got each item, how much it cost, and how much I sold it for if relevant. Although perhaps it's best not to know how much I've spent over the years 😁

Ever sine the 90's I've had something. It started as an access Database, Moved to Excel and now a Google sheet.
I have the columns
Type: eg "CPU Socket 3" "CPU Socket 7" "HDD IDE" "HDD SATA" "Video PCI" "Video AGP" etc
Device: eg "AM 586 133 ADZ" "72 Pin 4MB EDO HY514400A" etc
Part Number: "Am5 x86 P75 AMD X5 -133ADZ"
Serial Number: (handy more multiples of something)
Location: eg which build or in storage
Price: (including date purchased or where it came from if free)
Notes: Maybe revision numbers, bios version or any useful info.

I have another "disposed" sheet where I move a record if a part is given or thrown away or sold. If sold I'll add the sold price

Plus a "wish list" where I'll track prices for hardware I'm after and get a feel for its going rate on ebay. (actual sold price not unrealistic Buy it now pricing)

I have something very simple: a Word document. Since I collect Abit parts that list is practically made up of kits: that means CPU + RAM + MOBO + cooler.
Separately I made a list of all GPU's.

chinny22 wrote on 2025-07-10, 04:14:

Ever sine the 90's I've had something. It started as an access Database, Moved to Excel and now a Google sheet.

Did the Database overcomplicate it, since you made the change? I've been messing around with that back in the 90s, for music CDs, though, but took waaaaaaaay more effort than I could be bothered.

H3nrik V! wrote on 2025-07-10, 12:33:

chinny22 wrote on 2025-07-10, 04:14:

Ever sine the 90's I've had something. It started as an access Database, Moved to Excel and now a Google sheet.

Did the Database overcomplicate it, since you made the change? I've been messing around with that back in the 90s, for music CDs, though, but took waaaaaaaay more effort than I could be bothered.

I actually really enjoyed creating the database and data entry forms and reports.
But yeh when it came down to it I mainly just used the table and if I'm doing that then figured may as well just use a simple spreadsheet.

I have a plaintext note on my phone, that lists the content of boxes ordered by layers. Really short, only model name.

So if I take something for a build from storage room I directly remove it from the list that makes searching easy.

Shponglefan wrote on 2025-07-08, 22:21:

I don't currently, but I am thinking about it especially for video cards and sound cards.

I've occasionally found myself finding hardware I had forgotten I owned or in some cases buying duplicates of something I already had.

I did that without knowing as well, how I ended up with so many cheap AWE64 and Vortex2 cards. Everytime I would see one for a cheap price I would buy it thinking.... hey I need one of those only to notice down the line I had like 5 of each.

I'm sure it happened with other hardware as well since it all needs to be inventoried, seems like a future me problem.

peter_shaw wrote on 2025-07-08, 13:48:

Here's my list (work in progress). https://www.peter-shaw.de/dl/inv/LOSE%20HARDWARE.html

Well Sir, I think you could probably have a list like that attached to your will, and make somebody from VOGONS remembered there in this regard)

On the second thought, this could be quite an idea. When my dear granddaddy (an engineer) passed away, his meticulous habit of labelling his tools and spare parts was very helpful: e.g. when I came across a 12V lamp as a boy, I did not know it's purpose. But this lamp had a label, so based on that I was able to pass it for adoption to somebody who was very happy having a thing like that in his vintage car.

When I just owned one retro PC, everything was installed inside (and extra hard drives, because they had to be stored somewhere).
Then it started to grow and now it's three boxes. When it was time to add a second box, I started putting content labels on them.
Now that I'm planning of getting a second retro PC, I should expect more boxes to come - and your excellent classification seems to be the thing I'm going to use quite soon) When I myself pass away, maybe the people will read the list/labels, and put my beloved parts to some good use, instead of just dumping them unsorted.

its in the future plans buuut...to get to that point i need to seriously clean all the junk first

I thought about using one of my retro PCs to make a database of some sort. Maybe with Paradox, dBase IV or Access 95. Though, of course, thats needlessly time consuming and complicated. So I havent convinced myself to do it yet. Lol.

The only list I have is of PC builds I want to make, and what parts I want in them. I have all the parts for these builds.

RetroPCCupboard wrote on 2025-07-19, 18:12:

I thought about using one of my retro PCs to make a database of some sort. Maybe with Paradox, dBase IV or Access 95. Though, of course, thats needlessly time consuming and complicated. So I havent convinced myself to do it yet. Lol.

In theory, isn't all retro stuff, we do, that? 🤣

Why is it called "LOSE" hardware?