I’ve come across the asrock b650m-c while planning a build. Is it suitable for gaming and productivity, or are there better alternatives in the same range?
Honestly, you can use something like Lubuntu or Puppy Linux. They’re lightweight and support old GPUs better than Windows these days. Expect basic browsing and text editors but don’t dream of YouTube in 1080p.
The 915 chipset lacks proper drivers for modern OS acceleration. Even lightweight Linux distros will run at 2D speeds only. Security patches are another issue if you connect it to the internet.
I resurrected a similar machine years ago with antiX. Browsing worked okay, but heavy sites killed it instantly. Good for retro games and old apps though.
Realistically, any modern browser with current TLS/JavaScript support will choke. Best use case: retro gaming, file serving, or air-gapped nostalgia box.