I Tried 10 Year Old Tech

This video explores the usability of tech from 2016, ten years later, examining phones, consoles, laptops, and a gaming PC. The goal is to determine how well these devices hold up today. The gaming PC tested is based on the most popular configuration from the 2016 Valve Hardware Survey. This setup features a Core i3-2120 processor from 2011, a dual-core chip running at 3.3 GHz, which still supports Windows 10. The graphics card is a Radeon HD 7790 from 2013 with one gigabyte of video memory. An unusual cooling choice was a 240-millimeter AIO with only one fan spinning, due to socket compatibility issues. The first game tested was GTA V, a demanding title from 2016. The game immediately maxed out the video memory, requiring a resolution of 720p. Despite the low settings and visual quality described as "looks like balls," the system achieved decent frame rates in the 40s. The fan noise was notably loud. After the game's benchmark sequence, the system required a restart. Next, CS2 was attempted. While its predecessor, CS:GO, would run on almost any system, CS2 is more demanding. The game took an unusually long time to load, eventually suggesting a graphics driver update. Checking the minimum specifications for CS2 revealed a requirement for a quad-core i5-750 processor (one generation older than the i3-2120), eight gigs of RAM (which the test system had), and a Radeon 7850 GPU (the test system had a 7790). Despite being surprisingly close to the minimum specs, the game ran poorly at 720p with all settings on low. It suffered from severe stuttering and freezing, indicating a CPU bottleneck, making it unplayable. The video then explores the upgradeability of a 2016 gaming PC. The system was upgraded with a Core i7-3770K, the best CPU compatible with the motherboard, and a GTX 1660 GPU, released around 2020, as a reasonably priced upgrade. With these upgrades, GTA V ran at an impressive 100 FPS, looking and playing much smoother. While older games benefit significantly, the upgraded system would still struggle with very modern AAA titles. The total cost for the upgrades was estimated at around $120-$130, bringing the total system cost to an estimated $250-$300. The primary limitation of the upgraded system was the USB 2.0 ports. Moving to phones, the iPhone 6s, released in late 2015, was described as one of the last "old school iPhones" due to its headphone jack and physical home button. Despite its age, the hardware still felt good, though the large white bezels made it seem a bit small. The YouTube app crashed initially, highlighting potential performance issues. The phone, running iOS 15, still supports Pokemon GO. While the game loaded and was playable, the physical act of walking around to find Pokemon was not undertaken. Slither.io also ran well, providing a fun, nostalgic experience. However, the iPhone 6s was deemed unusable in 2026 due to a lack of security updates, making it insecure, in addition to missing modern "creature comforts" like a nicer camera. The PlayStation 4, released in 2013, was discussed in the context of 2016, the year the PS4 Pro and PS4 Slim launched, and several great games like DOOM 2016 were released. A previous video extensively covered the PS4's usability in 2026, concluding that it holds up "pretty well." While most new games have dropped support, a vast library of older titles and many live-service games like Fortnite still play without issues. The video showed DOOM 2016 installing from a disc, highlighting the waiting period. The PS4 offers good value, with launch models available for under $100. It still functions as a Blu-ray player, and jailbreaking is possible. The Xbox One, in comparison, was seen as having titles roll off support faster. DOOM 2016 was praised for its graphics at the time, but the game crashed during play on the PS4. The PS4 was argued to hold up better than a PC of the equivalent era because games were optimized specifically for its hardware. Laptops from 2016 were then examined, starting with the Razer Blade Stealth. This laptop was considered ahead of its time for its Thunderbolt port, allowing connection to an external GPU for gaming, while serving as a portable device for daily use. However, the original laptop's battery had "ballooned and exploded." The tested unit, surprisingly running Windows 11, was deemed too slow for anything beyond basic web browsing and smelled of "burning dust." The 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro was also discussed. This model was a significant redesign for Apple, featuring four Thunderbolt 3 ports but no USB-A or HDMI. While the hardware was generally good, it was infamous for its "butterfly keyboard," which was highly unreliable and prone to failure from dust. Both the Razer Blade Stealth and the MacBook Pro were considered only suitable for "very, very basic" tasks. Attempting to game on the Razer Blade Stealth resulted in an immediate crash. The MacBook Pro, despite its age, still costs around $200, but an M1 MacBook Air (Apple Silicon) offers significantly more power for a similar price range ($200-$300). In conclusion, 2016 was considered a great year for tech. While a 2016 gaming PC is not amazing in 2026, it can be made usable with a few dollars in upgrades. Phones like the iPhone 6s are insecure due to lack of updates. The PlayStation 4 holds up surprisingly well, especially for its value and optimized game library. Laptops from 2016, like the Razer Blade Stealth and MacBook Pro, are generally too slow for modern use beyond basic tasks, and better, more powerful options exist for similar prices today.