NightSprinter wrote:

Now the problem with the current setup is that I HAVE to use either the AWE32 or the GUS. Due to the CPU socket placement and the front-panel headers on the board the other card will not fit. If need-be, I can pony up the cash for an AWE64 or AWE64 Gold as the card seems to be considerably shorter in length.

Is this your mainboard?

(Click for bigger image)

Looks decent, except for the CPU socket blocking three slots 😦

An AWE64 (Gold) would also collide with the front-panel headers, but you could try to bend them out of the way.

Damn, you're good. That is more or less the board, save for the fact mine is an Intel 430TX chipset.

NightSprinter wrote:

Damn, you're good. That is more or less the board, save for the fact mine is an Intel 430TX chipset.

Could well be that I got the wrong board, since almost all Soyo Socket7 boards look practically the same 😉
But are you sure about the Intel 430TX chipset? Because TX doesn't support AGP...

Or I got the board wrong. It is indeed that one, the SY-5EH. Any suggestions on what to replace it with that would allow me to use the following audio hardware:

SoundBlaster 16-MCD (yes, original one with Yamaha-OPL chip, and hardware-jumpered settings) with Yamaha DB60XG daughtercard

Gravis Ultrasound Classic 1MB

Creative Goldfinch EMU8000 add-on

I would to for extra stuff (like an LAPC-I), but I just cannot find them.. it was hard enough acquiring my GUS.

That would mean a mainboard with at least three ISA slots. Four would be even better, since you might get a LAPC-I/SCC-1/Roland MPU interface card sometime (you'll never know 😉).

Most AT form factor Socket7 boards only come with three ISA slots and usually some of them are blocked by the CPU socket at half length.
Therefore I'd suggest getting an ATX form factor board, these often have three or four unobstructed ISA slots (depending on whether they have AGP).

I would suggest getting the MSI MS-5169 version 4 motherboard. I have it and it's been amazing and very versatile with Dos and Windows programs.

It has 3 ISA slots, 4 PCI, and one AGP. Also it can use both early Intel pentiums and AMD K6 processors, from 90mhz up to 550mhz (with AMD K6-2 and 3).

I use an Intel P54C 90mhz processor for DOS and early Glide games (using a Voodoo 1 card connected to an ATI Rage 3d).

I'm sure there might be better solutions out there, but if you want versatility, this motherboard solution is hard to beat.

pianoman72 wrote:

I would suggest getting the MSI MS-5169 version 4 motherboard.

Nice one. Very similar to the renowned Asus P5A, but with one more ISA slot.

If you want to have four ISA slots (and sacrifice the AGP), I'd recommend the Asus TX97-XE.

Well, here's the specs of the 486 you guys helped me get up and running:

System 1
CPU: Cyrix 486DX-100
RAM: 16MB EDO
Harddrive: 408MB
CD-ROM: 4x Reveal-brand LG GCD-R542B
Video: Trident 1MB PCI (upgradeable to 2MB)
Audio: Gravis Ultrasound 1MB, Sound Blaster 16 CT2290

And for fun..

System 2
CPU Pentium MMX-233
64MB PC66 memory
ES-1370 PCI Audio
S3 Trio-DX video with I believe 1MB 83MHz memory
CD-ROM
and I think an 8GB drive

Still want to make use of the old 386DX-33 and co-proc I have, and would love to upgrade the video on it, and I'm probably gonna slap the AWE32 into the MMX box.

Now my question is this: which card would be best to connect my Yamaha/NEC DB60XG daughterboard to? I ask because I'm going to try and bid on a "broken" (as in LCD doesn't work, much like on my MT-32) Roland SC-55 module.