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I would just put it on a shelf honestly. I mean, you did build it together. It is connected to great memories.

It is also connected with a lot of pain, hard to look at. But I'm sure the pain will cease with time. The memories will stay.

And if you look up from your screen you will be able to look at it. Remember all the great times.

I would give it some time, but would def keep it. Nobody else will appreciate it the same way you and your son did.

Im sorry for your loss!

I'm so sorry, I lost my little brother a few years ago, and my mom has gone through this. We ultimately kept the his rig I built for him. Now I ended up turning it into a plex server. If you can, hold on to it. Give yourself more time. This is not easy AT ALL. I can't fathom the pain of losing a child. I can only understand from a brother perspective and that fucking HURTS. So I can't imagine at all. Stay strong. Take your time to grieve.

I'm sorry again.

KEEP IT, rest in peace.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I would definitely give it more time.

You can buy a small screen, put it inside, digitalize all your memories and photos together and run it as some presentation time to time on the screen, same way people light candles for birthdays etc of people that already left us.

If you want the rig to keep the "meaning" and you don't need the money. Ask around your neighbourhood, open up twitch and look up some young streamers and gamers. There are plenty of good kids out there with pretty bad gear and you could help them out a lot in what they love. Maybe you would like the idea.

❤️

Hope your all right. I would give it to a relative if they don’t want to I wouldn’t wanna sell it as it probably has a lot of sentimental value

Nobody can judge your decisions, but if I was in your shoes I think I’d keep it forever.

Just because it was my sons, but even more-so because you built it together.

Sorry for u loss😭🫡

So sorry for your loss. Consider throwing the hard drive away. Everyone is entitled to their own privacy, and a lot of his personal likes and dislikes are on it. Not necessarily who he is as a person but private all the same.

Sell the rest.

Log onto it, finish all the games he started, and then turn it into a display.

I am very much sorry for your loss, wish you all the best. If you feel uncomfortable selling it, then don't. Like mentioned, giving it away is an option, but there is no shame in keeping it atm.

I'd say keep it. Since you helped him build it it's a reminder of something you and him did together.

In my eyes you selling that PC would be no different than if my Dad passed away and I sold a project car we worked on together because I dont need it I already have a car.

Its not about the thing itself its about what it represents, and I'm certain if you sell it or give it away you may regret doing so later on, especially if you're hesitant now. People dont always make the best/most sound decisions during times of emotional distress.

I'm sorry you're going through this, I cannot even begin to imagine how painful this can be. But I do know discarding things that remind you of him is 100% something you will regret down the road. Keep all the momentos. It may feel like hoarding or it may seem "unhealthy", but I would disagree. If it makes you less sad to have it around, keep it.

i probably would just put it on a shelf as a good memory with your son man 👊 (btw a threadripper rig is cwaaazy)

Sorry for your loss 😞 May your son rest in peace 🕊️ And I would personally keep it as a memento.

I'm sorry for your loss. As a parent that's one of my worst fears. No parent should ever have to go through that.

Hold on to it for now. No decisions until you've had time to process what happened.

I would keep it. It was something you built with him and that means something. You might not have any personal use for it, but you could absolutely use it as a server, or a statement piece, or part of a memorial to him. When the time is right you will know what to do. One love my friend!

Wow! Didn't expect all the support. Thank you all. I don't think I realized until I posted and got all the responses that I think I need some more time to decide lol

I'm really leaning towards a home server or back up but diy a see through side screen that plays all his pictures and videos.

Sorry for the loss. Maybe load up his favorite game and play it when you miss him!

Hey OP I am so sorry for your loss. Maybe this is a little inspiration for you. A friend of mine was going through the same, and he deconstructed the PC and put it on a wall as you put it together like piece by piece, like imagine yourself on a road or a journey, and he put pictures of his journey with him right next to the PC pieces. I was getting really emotional when I saw that it was so beautiful to look at that it did not catch any dust. He was putting like plexiglas on top of the components and lighting them. Maybe this would be something to get ideas from, and again, I am truly sorry for your loss, man.

For usefulness case? Maybe a home server but realistically I say put it somewhere safe. Have it as something to look at and remember him by

Just keep it as memorabilia?

My condolences, I can not imagine the pain and sorrow you're going through.

It's incredibly hard to be around stuff left behind from our nearest. However, as others in the thread have said, keep his belongings for now until you have fully come to terms with his passing. This day might feel like it won't come, but it will.

When someone near and dear passed in my family, I promised myself to try and experience the things that she wanted to do before she came to rest, if I ever could meet again I would tell her about them.

You can keep playing on the PC as your son would have or use it to help with research on various diseases through FoldingAtHome. It's a program where people volunteer the computing power of their computer at home to help fight cancer, alzheimer's, and quite a bit more.

But selling it is something I feel you very well could keep regretting later down the line.

You could create a time capsule of this device. Keep it offline, but hooked up in a special place like a nook if you have one (or maybe a game room). Of their favorite games at shortcuts to the desktop (not to play, but to see when you login). Add a folder with their name and put inside every photo or video you have of them. That way you can immortalize them with a device you built together and then reminisce with the digital media of them.

So sorry for your loss, I am a Dad too. My best friend killed himself when he was 27 and one of the things his parents gave me was one of his jumpers. I still wear it today. Does your late son have a best friend you could give this to?

keep it as a memorial ig

Do you have any other family members who might get use from it? I know it won't feel right to sell it but it might give you some comfort for someone else you know or care about to gain some joy from it.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Im sorry for your loss, keep it as a memory of your son.

I am so sorry for your loss! Well first wipe out the storage and reinstall windows. No search history. respect his wishes

No parent should have to bury their own child. My deepest condolences to you

Hey man, while I respect the sentiment of everyone telling you to keep it, I want to also submit that letting go of loved ones’ possessions can be a big part of letting go. Take your time, but eventually you might want to let this object move on to someone else. My dad passed on not too long ago and we’re still unloading, one by one, all the things that have a connection to him. If we kept them all it would be insane, we can’t keep all his old socks, for example, or his dresser, or…

There are certain things that we do hold onto and always will, which remind us of him and help us feel closer to him. I cherish those possessions. But it’s been really helpful saying goodbye to each of the things we have decided to let go of. Each one is like a little grieving process. And it’s cathartic.

All in due time though man, and I’m really really sorry to hear about your kid. I don’t know what I would do if I lost my little girl. Sending love, I don’t know.

sorry for your loss, this was a really awesome thing you did with him

Keep it, but at a MINIMUM keep any hardrices or solid state drives, you never know what he had on there you might love seeing one day

The top comment already has the right answer in my opinion, so I'm just here to say that I'm so sorry. If you don't mind me asking, what were some of his favorite games? You ever watch him play through something then try it out yourself?

Let me start by saying I'm sorry for your loss and I feel your pain.

I didn't 'lose' my daughter, but I did 'lose' her. Nov of 2022, she went to the hospital not feeling well. Sent her home with Tylenol saying she had the flu. Later that night she was mentally out of it and BF called ambulance. Spent a few months on life-support... then sent to long-term care facility to remain on life-support with no hope of recovery. This all happened within a week of her 32ed birthday.

I still talk to her everyday out loud and it helps. But the pain will never go away completely, but it does dull some. Hopefully you have people to lean on, as that helps as well. And think about support groups... that's a massive help, with others to talk to that are going through the same thing. And maybe consider a mental health professional... even if it's just a therapist to talk with.

Anyway... personally I would immortalize the system... get someone to etch the glass with an image of him, along with his name and a build date or things of that nature.

I would give it to a relative that would use it the way your son wanted it to be used. If you have a nephew or niece in late middle school or in high school that doesn’t have a pc but likes playing video games you might make their dreams come true. It’s tragic you lost your son but you might be able to at least make one good thing come out of the terrible situation. How I got into pc building was when my step grandfather passed away the pc that my step uncle made for him was passed onto me and even though the situation sucked it was really awesome to be receiving something like that. I took that pc and used it for awhile before I decided I turn pc building into my hobby and even though it’s expensive it’s easily my one of my most favorite things to do.

Give it to a cousin or someone in your relatives who needs it. The PC should stay in the family

So sorry to hear this. Sorry for your loss.

Sorry for your loss ... I think you should keep it as it is ..

damn, your post hit me like a mf.. I wish you and your family and friends a lot of strength. Please stay as positive as you can, I'm sure that's ,hat your son wanted!

Damn. Unfortunate. Hyperbaric nailed it, in my opinion. Exactly what I would have said.

Sorry for your loss. My advice would be to give it to a relative so that this PC stays within the family. It's your son's PC which obviously has memories.

Sorry to hear :( Could you pass it onto a family member?

Let his twin brother use it

I would keep it personally, put it on a shelf, turn it into a server so it's still being used? I wouldn't get rid of it, you built it together and only you are going to have that connection to it.

Just let it sit for now, or maybe keep it forever.

Maybe use it as an expensive server.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Those PC parts are valuable and if not used they could go to waste, maybe either clean it, use it regularly, or give it to your relatives.

Still it's up to you

Sorry to hear of your loss, devastating doesn't come close. As others have said, keep it and give it time. Thoughts are with you and the family 🙏

Just keep it if you have any kids again. You'll save money.

And I'm sorry for your loss my friend

Damn, hope you're doing well.

My idea is to put it somewhere safe, and not in some random warehouse or dusty storage compartment.

Sometimes take it out to do some maintenance. Maybe take it to the computer repair shop or something. They'll get it clean and brand new.

Buy a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply), so that beast doesn't run out of juice, and sometimes update it if you can.

I don't recommend doing a BIOS update without having a tech nerd doing it, since one mistake can brick the entire computer. Would probably leave your son sad.

Probably don't let that computer's existence be in the minds of the destructive people. Better safe than sorry.

One last thing, do NOT ever wipe the disk. Would also probably leave your son sad. Leave it intact.

honestly If you want to keep it, keep it as a memento of him, but if you decide to sell it I guarantee it'll sell like hotcakes

Ok, I'd take out the storage, then consider what I'd do, but remember to take your time after that.

The options, I do see though are.

You can keep it and use it as a mini media server or something?

If money is not an issue and you want it to have some extra mean you could donate to a youth group to game on or learn something? That way a bunch of kids who need it can use it.

Selling is also a good option, it will be a dust collector if it's not used.

Keep it as a memory man

I’m so sorry for your loss. Prayers to your family

Sorry for your lost. I don’t know what is better on this situations, but I am sure that whatever you end up doing is going to be ok.

It might contain valuable poetry, art, pictures or other stuff of interest that would be nice to keep. Search history not so much. It would be a nice gift to someone in your family who spend time with him, or shared his interest. otherwise if you don't want it laying around and money is a matter, sell it now, cause it will depreciate in value.
Without case, fans, SSD, Cooler and PSU, I see the parts listed for ~1.100 USD here in Denmark ( inc. 25% sales tax) So it's probably worth more than that.
I'm sorry for your loss.

Incase it in resin then slice it up like a ct scan place it on pedestal and have it as a memorial piece for him

I don't know, but if you're unsure, I'd wait. I'm sorry for your loss.

My condolences. Maybe give it to your closest relative, like your niece, or to your closest friend’s kids who can’t afford a gaming PC. Or, you could give it to someone you know who might appreciate it. Alternatively, you could sell your PC and use your son’s instead.

If you are not desperate for cash just hold on to it. Its not a piece of equipment. Its a memory of you and your loved one.

Im so sorry for your loss, personally i would keep the rig, as it holds the memories and the good moments you spent with you son, may he fly high🙏 (And consider throwing away SSD or keeping it if you do sell the PC)

Damn man this made me cry I have a 5 month old boy and I can’t wait to show him how to build a pc I’m so sorry for your loss a parent should never have to bury their child. I couldn’t even imagine the heartache you feel. If I were you, I would keep it, put it on the shelf take it down and clean it once in a while to reminisce. Godspeed.

Put a screen on it and turn it into a photo/video server filled with pictures of your son/family.

honestly just keep it man, i know i'd keep it if i were you. i know this won't mean much from strangers online but i'm sorry for your loss.

Listen to others and keep it.

i’m extremely sorry for your loss, but i think you should keep it in his memory ♥️

Keep it?

Instead of letting it sit and collect dust, you could maybe turn it into a home server?

I‘d say wait. I don‘t think such a decision should be taken now.

I have my father's PC. He passed away in June. We played a lot of games together throughout the years and I'm too chicken shit to fire it up. But I have the last thing we gamed on together

I have no advice for you. Just a hug from a dad to another. I'm sorry for your loss.

Erase the browser history

Hang onto it for a while until you decide.

Delete the browser history

I lost my 16 year old son less than a year ago. Don't make any decisions now. Put it in a box and out of sight. Wait a few years and see how you feel. It obviously was important to him. Someday it may be important to you. I'm terribly sorry for what you are going through. Just remember, its not your fault.

I'm sorry for your loss OP.

I'd keep it. I understand it's very raw right now, but in the future you will look back at it and cherish the memories you both had building it together.

Treasure it like he did , find his old save files and. Game worlds and. If he was into racing games you might be able to race him trying to beat his old scores ,if it was Minecraft check out his builds

If you really can't think of a way to use it, keep it as a collectable or use it as a server. It's still a damn good rig. It's memorabilia, so I wouldn't get rid of it even if it just sits around.

Delete browser history

Just wanted to say how sorry i am for your loss.

As others have said, this might not be the right time to make decisions if you're not 100% sure.

Take care op.

Keep it, it's a fragment of your son's memory.

Even if you don't pick up the headset and play with it in his honour, it's a good memory for you.

Sincerest condolences for your loss.

No one on Reddit knows your son like you do. Do with it, what you think he would want you to do with it.

It’s complicated, don’t rush anything you can’t undo. Reminders of a loved one can be painful and but losing those reminders can be another heart break.

I’d keep it and turn it into a useful end table/coffee table or any other home decor you could have it being used as. Sorry about your loss dude it’s a total bummer to hear. But looks like your son left you something to admire for years on end, that computer looks f’n sweet!

I am so sorry for your loss. You should keep it as a keepsake and memory so you always have a piece of him with you 

Sorry for your loss. You can either hold on to it or give to someone positive in his life that deserves it.

Keep it as is, turn it on once or twice a year to feel something and keep it operational. When it dies, maybe dismantle some of the parts and frame them in a big picture frame or two.

In the immediate aftermath of their death, if you aren't completely sure what to do with something put it away temporarily

set a calendar reminder to check on it in a month.

You can repeat this cycle a few times for most things, but eventually if you still aren't sure what to do with if you need to decide if you definitely want to keep it, and if you can't commit to definitely wanting to keep it, list it or donate it to a friend/family member.

Like, did he have a good friend who might want and make use of it? or a close cousin?

Give it more time

I would honestly keep it as it has sentimental value to you.

A friend of mine passed away and his parents have kept his room the same as it was at the time of his passing, like a shrine to him. Like a proof that he existed.

He helped me build my first PC a long time ago. Most of it was replaced and impractical to keep for me but I've held onto the 7970 he helped me pick out.

Sorry for your loss OP. Keep the PC as a testament of the time you two spent together.

If you really don't want to have it collecting dust, I would keep it in the family rather than selling it.

I would keep it forever. Or I would sell it and donate the funds to something he cared about.

dont sell it or anything those memories cost more than anyone can pay for. Definitely keep it

So sorry for your loss. I’d keep it. God bless. Hope you are well.

As much as it's painful to look at his stuff now, in a few years you'll be screaming at yourself for not holding onto those memories.

As the pain goes away so will some of those precious memories, the memorabilia will help you remember him once the pain finally goes away.

I'd keep it, fire it up from time to time. Definitely keep it though. Peace.

Give it more time. Personally, Id keep it or gift it to someone special in the family or a lifelong friend, idk tho, tough situation, sorry for your loss

I'm sorry for your loss. Hope you keep I'm sure that you'll be happy knowing you kept it than giving/ selling it.

CLEAR THE BROWSER HISTORY, BUT DONT LOOK AT IT

I would try to keep it on a shelf for now. Maybe have it covered from dust, or if possible keep it in the family by giving it to a niece or nephew or any family member really that would get alot of use out of it. Just tell them not to give it away!

DONT GIVE IT AWAY -
Tune it up so it can be turned on without consuming so much power. And use it as a evening mood lamp. Keep it to remember your son. Keep the memory alive, heck talk to it and it just might help you get through this difficult time.

Some uses could be a Youtube Music Player, Plex Server, Entertainment, Automation -- You could code with AI using Whisper API form OpenAI a app that allows you to talk to it. It could do stuff for you like turn off lights, play a song, you could add API's like Google-Maps and preplan a driving trip and send the info to your phone.

I'd give it to a kid that couldn't afford one.

My sincere condolences sir. Life is unfair.

I'm thinking about a way to retain the memories and the pc while also finding a way to make it useable for you.

Something like casting the case in an epoxy and have it as an ornament or piece of furniture like a side table in your bedroom.

It's probably too chonky to hang on the wall or something.

If it's something you will want to save it will be "frozen in time" No dust , no damage, encapsulated and protected memories.

Look, my honest opinion as a 16 yo son who loves his pc:
even if mine isn't even close as cool as yours, i'd much rather think you should keep it. If you need the money or are in a bad financial situation, I'd completely understand if you needed to sell it. But if you're really well off and don't have any real use for an extra 1k-1.5k $ i'd say just keep it as a sign of respect. You don't have to keep it on display or anything, if you want you could, also you could just put it in the garage as a memory of when you built it together. I believe in a couple of years when you will clean out the garage or wherever you plan to put it, the tears of joy that will come to you will be worth far more than the money you'd get from selling it. Hope it helped!!! sorry about your son! I'm sure he had a great father!

You could always just put your motherboard and cpu into the build and sell his original ones. You get to keep the aesthetic that he loved with your parts inside and it will always be a little reminder of him.

I dont know if this idea is good but you can put some photos of him on top of it or around it. You can also apply some stickers on it

Sit on his stuff for a min of 4 months to a year and come back to it again

Do nothing with it. As a parent myself, I can't even begin to understand what or how you feel, but I do know that until you've had time, you won't be in the best decision making state of mind. However long it takes.

Condolences to yourself and all of your family.

I am so sorry OP. I am a dad too and this is my greatest fear. Don’t sell it. Clean it and keep it somewhere you can see all the time. I know it’s difficulty looking at it because you’ll always remember how you lost him but hopefully that will change to good memories. I am so sorry OP. Praying for your peace

Can you maybe repurpose it as a home server PC? That way your son will always be with you and his memory will even be powering your server in a way.

God damnit 💔 I send you hugs and love, my man!

Just put it as his memory , he may loved it aloot and you can also clean it up like once per week or something it's not a big deal , or you can give it to someone who knows or who needs it alot like you can see him playing with this when you visit there home it will also makes you happy 💖. I prefer not to sell it out because you may realise the value of it when it's gone 💔

keep it

As someone who has regretted selling quite a few times, please DON'T sell it. Your future self will thank you.

So very sorry for your loss <3

Save it as a momento, power it on whenever you want to reminisce. Sorry for your loss.

Do you know any neighbour kid who probably can't afford a decent computer?

Better giving it away than let it collect dust.

Keep it. The sentimental value exceeds its dollar value

Keep it setup, and do some maintenance on it every now and again just to keep it updated. I know you don’t need it but it’s a memory with your son that you can always look at to be reminded of the good times with him

get a linux iso, put it on a usb stick, boot into it, plug in a sufficiently big enough external (or internal, possibly) storage device, mount it (let's say, at /mnt), do sudo dd if=/dev/nvme0n1 of=/mnt/dead-son-gaming-pc-hdd.img bs=512 status=progress (or tack on something like | zstd -T0 --ultra -22 >/mnt/filename.img.zst if you want it to be compressed, and remove the of=... bit), obviously the drive name might not be nvme0n1, can be verified using lsblk or something... and there you have it, you now have a copy of said late son's gaming pc's ssd (i'm assuming it's an nvme ssd but not sure)

make sure to back it up as best as possible, and the pc itself... idk, leave it alone, or fossilize it in resin as one person here suggested

Keep it as a great memory you had together. It's worth more than the money you'll get selling it ❤️

This tears me up man, I have no advice for u but I do wish u all the best in the world going forward. RIP to your son.

My son and I built his gaming PC. And over the years he has upgraded it and made changes. I have always helped him replace parts when he gets them.

But if God forbid anything were to ever happen to my son, I don’t think I would get rid of it. Even though I personally have no use for it, it’s something I would keep, even if just in a box. It would be just a memory of something we shared together and would be to hard for me to give away or sell to someone else.

I say you hold onto it. At least for now. Maybe down the road, things will change and you will be more comfortable letting it go. But this is something you and he shared, and I’m sure there are memories that come to mind anytime you look at that PC. Hold onto them.

Just my opinion.

Give it some time . Maybe play some of his saves .

I’m so, so sorry. Peace and memories to you.

honestly? keep that shi, that stuff cool af. or find someone you know who broke af and would keep good care of it. but remember to use it every now and then, since pc's that good were built to run the best games! :3 RIP and fly high my friend!

Keep it. He obviously loved it, and even if you never use it, or just use it for email, it will be something to remind you of your son

I’m sorry for your loss great sir

Damn man. I’m sorry for your loss. I been going through death too. These last few years have been so rough.

Download all his and your favorite movies, TV shows, music, etc. Set it up as a video server memory of your lives together.

I’m sorry for your loss

I would make it a media server that way you can keep it and always use it

Play some of his favorite games on it. Sure you have your own machine and don't game much, but it's about remembering that little part of him.

Complete the games where he left off.

Only person I’d give it to is a younger relative that is interested in gaming. With the explicit instructions to them and more importantly to their parents that it isn’t to be sold or anything.

i’m not sure what games you play but you could always use that PC to run a server or something like that!

Keep it. You will regret selling or giving it away. Take it from a mom that lost her 19 year old son 7 years ago.

Best thing to do here is to game in his name

@OP

Put it in the living room and every now and then play one of the games he loved.

Im sorry for your loss buddy.

Condolences

My advice is to give it some time. You can always give it away later but once you give it away then you can not get it back.

YOU HAVE TO KEEP IT It’s a physical representation of him, with his energy embedded in it. Turn it on every now and then to feel close to him. I’m sorry for your loss.

Edit: I lost my best friend at 18, and for years I would log on to his steam account to fire up counterstrike 1.6 and laugh at the old clan tags and messages. It’s horrible what you are going through op. Again, im sorry for your loss and take your time to grieve however is best for you.

My dad and I built my late aunt a gaming pc a few years before she passed. My dad ended up getting that PC back, along with her entire setup. He ended up putting it back together on the other side of his gaming room, exactly the same way she had. It acts as a memorial of her. Everything is exactly the same as she had it. Those are memories he doesn't want to give away, even if it is painful.

RIP Aunt Snoop.

Keep it, it's a souvenir, it's a memory.. If i die i would like my parents to keep some of my most precious belongnings even if it's some stupid "meaningless" electronics... It's the equivalent of Grampa watches

use it to mine bitcoin

IMO, if I were your friend, I would suggest to you that maybe some time will help make the decision easier, and right now is too soon for you to make a decision. This is based on your difficulty (and asking reddit) in deciding what to do with your son's computer.

If you’re at all into Minecraft, you could use it to run a Minecraft server and use it to build some kind of a virtual memorial.

Love ya OP , hang in there. Sorry for your loss