First post, by dexter311
Hi Vogoners!
After completing my two other builds - a Q4 1999 build called Andariel and a Q4 2003 build called Duriel - I've been gathering parts for my next project. This one will be a ISA-only i486 build targeting the early 1991 period.
I'm not sure on a name yet, but as with my other PCs it'll be named after a character from the Diablo series. I'm thinking of Mephisto, the Lord of Hatred, who is the eldest of the Prime Evils, but I'll have to think about that one a bit more I reckon! 😊
Here are the parts I've collected so far:
- FIC 486SC-P Motherboard - This was a tip-off from a fellow Vogons member in the eBay thread. Picking this one up kicked off this build. It came with nothing on it bar the processor (no cache, no RAM), and unfortunately it has a dead Dallas RTC soldered to the board which I need to swap out. But otherwise it's a pretty nice board, and in great condition. Tracking down information about jumper config took a lot of intense searching, but I finally found a text file with all the info I need.
- Intel 486DX-33 - Released in May of 1990. It came with the motherboard, and should be a good match for older adventure games, Wing Commander 1 and 2, etc. There's the option of going with a DX2 later on if I feel like it, but that's unlikely!
- 8x1MB 70ns SIMMs + 128KB of 12ns cache (UM61256AK-12) - According to most of the research I've done, 8MB of RAM and 128KB of cache seems around about correct for this period. I have an empty bank left to double the cache if I need to.
- Diamond SpeedStar VGA 1MB with Tseng Labs ET4000/AX Chipset - After lots of waiting, failed bids and wading through auction listings (plenty of VLB stuff, but ISA cards were slim pickings!), I finally managed to get a Tseng card for my build. This was apparently released in late 1990, so it should fit right in!
- Sound - Unfortunately my 1991-era sound card chops aren't up to scratch! The oldest (and my most prized) card I have will be going into this build - an AWE32 CT3900 with 8MB of RAM. Also, I'll be putting in a Terratec TT1816-N card for SoftMPU only. But I'll still be on the lookout for a card that matches this era, such as a SoundBlaster 1.0 or 1.5 (or anything starting with CT13** really).
- Multi-IO Card (IDE, Floppy, COM/LPT) with Goldstar Prime 2 Chipset - Took a punt on this one, it was listed as defect but only due to the computer it was in not turning on. I'm yet to receive this in the post, so hopefully it's fully functional!
- Highscreen AT Case - I've had this case for a few years now. It contained a Socket 7 K6-2 450 build which I'm parting out. The front is a bit yellowed but it's still a decent looking case.
- Other parts - 200W FSP ATX power supply with ATX to AT cable adapter, Mitsumi 3.5" and 5.25" floppy drives (not sure if the 5.25" one works actually...), Toshiba optical drive, and an IBM DeskStar 15GB HDD.
Any suggestions/comments on my parts list would be much appreciated!
Anyways, a few parts arrived this week so I've been able to finally start testing these components. So far everything works perfectly, except the CMOS not saving due to the dead RTC! I installed the RAM and cache chips, reconfigured the jumpers to suit, and it started up first go which I was very relieved to see. Now to wait for the Multi-IO card to arrive.
Finally, here are some pics...
RAM and cache chips have arrived:
8MB of RAM installed:
128KB of Cache installed:
The Diamond SpeedStar slotted in:
IT LIVES!
My temporary workstation:
The Highscreen case it's going in, plus all the drives:
And the AWE32 and Terratec sound cards (unfortunately both don't fit the era):
