In another thread we have been discussing an interesting feature of the Dell Optiplex GX1: you can activate a "Compatibility" mode from DOS on the fly that slows down your computer. You use Ctrl-Alt-\ or Ctrl-Alt-#. I've tried it on my GX1, and it works. I believe that the key combo disables the cache because there isn't an option to do so in the BIOS. Using Topbench, I discovered that the combo slows my PII-333 to the level of a 286-16 (score of 38). I just played some Jazz Jackrabbit, and the gameplay was a little slow, but the graphics and music were perfect--no glitching.

I'm wondering whether someone with a more powerful GX1 can test this combo using Topbench. If a CPU upgrade can make the Compatibility mode run closer to a 386-33, then I may be able to use the GX1 for DOS *and* Windows 98 games. Appreciate anyone giving this a shot with a GX1 that's handy.