First post, by PhilsComputerLab
- Rank
- l33t++
Here are some images of the current state of my Time Machine 😀
What is a Time Machine? The combination of new and old parts in combination with slow-down tricks to achieve the best of both worlds:
Authenticity and compatibility with old DOS games but also the convenience and reliability of new hardware (reliable and quiet ATX PSU, Optical PS/2 mouse, USB storage if wanted, modern storage options...)
While I have 386 and 486 hardware I just prefer using my Time Machine for convenience.
The "original" machine has been documented in this video: http://youtu.be/-NLEIwzavtg
I believe I built that one in July 2013.
Here the current config:
- Gigabyte GZ-X7 case which comes with a Gigabyte 400W PSU
- DFI Super Socket 7 motherboard
- 16 MB SDRAM
- Pentium 200 MHz running at 66 x 1.5 = 100 MHz
- AGP FX5200
- Sound Blaster AWE64 Gold (220-7-1-5-300)
- Roland MPU-401AT (2/9-330)
- GOTEK USB floppy emulator
- Newish IDE DVD-RW
- SATA Hard Drive hot-swap bay
- SATA to IDE adapter
After trying all sorts of storage options I've settled on using SATA to IDE adapters for pretty much everything. The drives all have a 32 GB capacity limit (set with SeaTools). I can also use notebook drives, here I use this StarTech adapter that converts a notebook drive into the physical form factor of a desktop drive. The BIOS detects it fine. HDD activity lights on the case but also on the SATA Hard Drive hot-swap bay.
Strengths:
- Everything "just works"
- Great digital sound quality + AWE synth + all sorts of MIDI options (Currently I got MT-32 (Old), CM-32L, SC-55 and MU80 connected to the MPU-401AT)
- Simple configuration,tried and tested with tons of games
- Caches off > average 386DX
- L1 cache off, L2 cache on > Fast 486DX
- 100 MHz clock speed avoids many compatibility issues
- FX 5200 clones VGA and DVI which I use for capturing DVI while playing on VGA
Weaknesses:
- The DFI board turns the CPU fan on and off
- The DFI board is quite slow (not an issue for what I do)
- AMD K6-II+ or K6-III+ has more options for faster performance (not an issue for what I do)