One might assume medical equipment lacks the horsepower of a modern gaming PC. However, a Redditor, u/AfternoonPutrid8558, challenged this assumption by playing Counter-Strike: Source on a 3D dental scanner. This unusual gaming rig, powered by older Intel and AMD hardware, surprisingly achieved frame rates between 600 and 700 fps.
This experiment, highlighted on the r/pcmasterrace subreddit, showcases the ingenuity of repurposing older hardware for gaming. The dental scanner’s specifications include a 5th-generation Intel Core i7-5720K processor clocked at 3.3GHz, paired with an MSI Raider X99 motherboard and 32GB of DDR4-2999 RAM.
The graphics card, while not explicitly confirmed, is identified as an AMD Radeon R9 200 series, possibly an R9 270X, 280X, or 290X. Although these older GPUs don’t rival the performance of modern RDNA cards, they are more than capable of handling older and less demanding games. The dental scanner’s 75Hz display, combined with the mid-range AMD GPU, provided a smooth gaming experience for Counter-Strike: Source.
Even with a more demanding title like Subnautica, the system maintained a respectable 60 fps. This demonstrates the hardware’s ability to handle modern games, albeit not at optimal settings. Interestingly, the Redditor also noted that controlling Subnautica‘s seamoth felt “surprisingly elegant” using the dental scanner’s large trackball.
This innovative project highlights the increasing trend of repurposing technology, particularly within the DIY community. It also demonstrates the enduring utility of older hardware, proving that components from previous generations can still deliver enjoyable gaming experiences.
For those fascinated by unusual tech projects, the subreddit r/itrunsdoom is a must-visit. With over 100,000 members, this community showcases a wide variety of devices running the classic game Doom, including calculators, credit card terminals, a 2006 RS Media Robot, a Nintendo DS running a Doom Alarm Clock, and even a Pioneer DJ multiplayer. It’s a true haven for enthusiasts of unconventional hardware hacks.
