VOGONS


First post, by blakespot

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I am putting together an AMD 5x86-based ISA / VLB system. The board would have a 12-pin in-line, AT-style power connector.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT_(form_factor)#Power_connector

Can I use a modern PC PSU to power this board? With a cable adapter? What is the best course, here?

Also, will any modern PC tower case support the Baby AT form-factor? Suggestions?

Thanks.

bp

:: Visit the Byte Cellar, my vintage computer blog (since 2004).
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Reply 1 of 18, by Mau1wurf1977

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Yes!

There are a couple of adapters on eBay. The ones I use come with a push button.

One thing to watch for is that if you use a new ATX PSU then there won't be -5V. This is only an issue for a few ISA cards like the LAPC-I, Sound Blaster 2.0 and PAS 16. I use a XFX 450W with my 386 and 486 gear.

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Reply 2 of 18, by blakespot

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I've been talking to some folks on IRC about this. Am I best off grabbing some old tower system on eBay, gutting it for all but PSU, and filling it with my chosen gear?

Thanks.

bp

:: Visit the Byte Cellar, my vintage computer blog (since 2004).
:: See a panorama of my own Byte Cellar (a.k.a. basement computer room)...
:: twitter: @blakespot

Reply 3 of 18, by bjt

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The adapters work well and a new PSU has got to be better than one with 20 year old dried out caps.

It's nice to have a period-correct beige case though. Fortunately ATX power supplies will fit in standard AT case.

Reply 4 of 18, by bristlehog

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Actually, some manufacturers still produce AT PSUs. However, those are pricey enough.

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Reply 6 of 18, by Harekiet

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Thought most old psu's supplied most of their power on +5v lines compared to modern atx ones that output most on the +12v. Might have to check if it can supply enough amperage on the 5v line at least.

Reply 7 of 18, by nforce4max

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Harekiet wrote:

Thought most old psu's supplied most of their power on +5v lines compared to modern atx ones that output most on the +12v. Might have to check if it can supply enough amperage on the 5v line at least.

The old Enermax Noisetaker units have very good +5v rail and don't remember if they have the -5v rail but they are just old enough to have it as well. Silent when running with an adjustable fan of the back plus on the 12v rail they can handle some of the modern systems (ran a 775 rig with a 8800gtx when I had mine).

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Reply 8 of 18, by blakespot

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Thanks for the input.

I am trying to power an ASUS PVI-486SP3 with a 5x86 133 (160) and 4 cards and a HD or two. Can anyone point to a modern PSU that definitely provides the power needed to power that rig? And what adapter to use?

My parts are almost all in place. I just need a case and a PSU plan.

Thanks.

bp

:: Visit the Byte Cellar, my vintage computer blog (since 2004).
:: See a panorama of my own Byte Cellar (a.k.a. basement computer room)...
:: twitter: @blakespot

Reply 9 of 18, by Forevermore

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Never have been fond of the idea of running atx2 or newer on an atx1.x spec or older board. 5v & 3.3v power on newer psu's is pretty weak, plus there is the absence of -5v as well.

I always run refurbished period-correct psu's for my older systems.

So many combinations to make, so few cases to put them in.

Reply 10 of 18, by blakespot

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Forevermore wrote:

Never have been fond of the idea of running atx2 or newer on an atx1.x spec or older board. 5v & 3.3v power on newer psu's is pretty weak, plus there is the absence of -5v as well.

I always run refurbished period-correct psu's for my older systems.

Where can I find legitimately refurbished, period-correct PSUs for AT-class motherboards?

Thanks.

bp

:: Visit the Byte Cellar, my vintage computer blog (since 2004).
:: See a panorama of my own Byte Cellar (a.k.a. basement computer room)...
:: twitter: @blakespot

Reply 11 of 18, by ODwilly

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Newegg.com has a brand new AthenaPower 300watt AT psu for around $20, hope that helps ya!

Main pc: Asus ROG 17. R9 5900HX, RTX 3070m, 16gb ddr4 3200, 1tb NVME.
Retro PC: Soyo P4S Dragon, 3gb ddr 266, 120gb Maxtor, Geforce Fx 5950 Ultra, SB Live! 5.1

Reply 12 of 18, by blakespot

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ODwilly wrote:

Newegg.com has a brand new AthenaPower 300watt AT psu for around $20, hope that helps ya!

Nice! Is that a piece of junk, or would it be a good solution for what I'm going for?

Thanks.

:: Visit the Byte Cellar, my vintage computer blog (since 2004).
:: See a panorama of my own Byte Cellar (a.k.a. basement computer room)...
:: twitter: @blakespot

Reply 13 of 18, by ODwilly

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I just bought one a month back for my 486 rig, the old USAWIN! 220watt in my Pentium rig blew and killed the motherboard. So far It works really well and being a 12 pin AT psu it does not require an adapter which is nice

Main pc: Asus ROG 17. R9 5900HX, RTX 3070m, 16gb ddr4 3200, 1tb NVME.
Retro PC: Soyo P4S Dragon, 3gb ddr 266, 120gb Maxtor, Geforce Fx 5950 Ultra, SB Live! 5.1

Reply 14 of 18, by ODwilly

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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?It … N82E16817338010 here is a link for you!

Main pc: Asus ROG 17. R9 5900HX, RTX 3070m, 16gb ddr4 3200, 1tb NVME.
Retro PC: Soyo P4S Dragon, 3gb ddr 266, 120gb Maxtor, Geforce Fx 5950 Ultra, SB Live! 5.1

Reply 15 of 18, by blakespot

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I'll grab the AT-class PSU linked above - thanks.

But -- looking now for an AT-era mid-tower case for the 486 system. Anyone know of some nice ones? eBay has nothing too special right now. This was nice, I had it in black long ago, but I missed the auction:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231108906734?ssPageNa … 984.m1423.l2648

Any other sources recommended?

Thanks.

bp

:: Visit the Byte Cellar, my vintage computer blog (since 2004).
:: See a panorama of my own Byte Cellar (a.k.a. basement computer room)...
:: twitter: @blakespot

Reply 16 of 18, by ODwilly

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http://www.ebay.com/itm/AT-Case-AT-form-facto … =item3a88511079 Kinda generic, but does not look to awful.

Main pc: Asus ROG 17. R9 5900HX, RTX 3070m, 16gb ddr4 3200, 1tb NVME.
Retro PC: Soyo P4S Dragon, 3gb ddr 266, 120gb Maxtor, Geforce Fx 5950 Ultra, SB Live! 5.1

Reply 18 of 18, by blakespot

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Not bad. A shade taller than I wanted. Don't see many others out there.

bp

:: Visit the Byte Cellar, my vintage computer blog (since 2004).
:: See a panorama of my own Byte Cellar (a.k.a. basement computer room)...
:: twitter: @blakespot