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I think in Phil's Computer Lab benchmarks Voodoo 3 AGP had about the same performance as a FX5500 PCI on a K6. I would choose the Voodoo 3 for Glide support and period correctness.

SB Live 5.1 is the best all-round card and would be my first choice. It is also period correct. Audigy 2 ZS is best for Windows 98, but it doesn't have DOS support.

Windows 98 SE for best compatibility and DOS support.

256 mb of ram. More than enough for Windows 98 without running into too much memory issues.

Audigy 2 ZS is best for Windows 98, but it doesn't have DOS support.

It does. Audigy drivers.

SB Live 5.1 is the best all-round card and would be my first choice.

They're not practical and completely outshined by Audigy series in every aspect.

Intel486dx33 wrote:

Okay, I have all the parts in and am ready to finally build an AMD K6-3+ / Voodoo-3 computers. […]
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Okay, I have all the parts in and am ready to finally build an AMD K6-3+ / Voodoo-3 computers.

Here is a list of parts I have.

Motherboard - Soyo SY-5EHM
CPU - AMD K6-3 450 going to over clock to 550mhz.
RAM - What kind and how much do I need ?
Graphics - Voodoo-3 3000 AGP or Nvidia FX5500 ?
Audio - Sound Blaster Audigy 2zs or AWE 64 or SB Live 5.1 or Yamaha YMF-7xx ?
Network - Intel 10/100
CDROM - Sony Slot loading 16x
PSU - 500 watt ATX
Case - Lian Li
OS - Win 98se or ME ?

What do you think ?
What parts should I use ?
What to avoid ?
How to make this the best build ?

Having build a very similar system, I'd' say that:

256MB or RAM is plenty, just try and get CL2 if possible.
Definitely go with Windows 98SE and use the unofficial service patch. This way DOS won't be a problem.
For graphics, I had a similar dilemma. Given the numerous issues with early AGP chipsets, I'd stick with the Voodoo3.
It has perfect DOS compatibility and is plenty fast for what an AMD K6-III+ is capable of.
For audio, I'd stick with an AWE32 or 64.
The AMD K6-III is a slow processor, even at 550MHz. Don't expect to be playing lots of immersive 3D games in Windows, so putting any Audigy or Vortex card is a waste.

These are my opinions of course, but having toyed with numerous combinations on the above type of system, I must admit to being disappointed by its Windows performance. In DOS however, it is a very different story; it is fantastic.

tpowell.ca wrote:

Having build a very similar system, I'd' say that: […]
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Having build a very similar system, I'd' say that:

256MB or RAM is plenty, just try and get CL2 if possible.
Definitely go with Windows 98SE and use the unofficial service patch. This way DOS won't be a problem.
For graphics, I had a similar dilemma. Given the numerous issues with early AGP chipsets, I'd stick with the Voodoo3.
It has perfect DOS compatibility and is plenty fast for what an AMD K6-III+ is capable of.
For audio, I'd stick with an AWE32 or 64.
The AMD K6-III is a slow processor, even at 550MHz. Don't expect to be playing lots of immersive 3D games in Windows, so putting any Audigy or Vortex card is a waste.

These are my opinions of course, but having toyed with numerous combinations on the above type of system, I must admit to being disappointed by its Windows performance. In DOS however, it is a very different story; it is fantastic.

I agree with pretty much everything tpowell.ca has said, also based on my SS7 build. The only thing that I would change is that I use 2 sound cards, and recommend the same. Having both an Audigy2 ZS in Windows, and an ISA Sound Blaster (16 or Pro 2) in DOS gives me full compatibility with games in DOS, and higher quality sound in Windows.

3dprophet wrote:

I think in Phil's Computer Lab benchmarks Voodoo 3 AGP had about the same performance as a FX5500 PCI on a K6. I would choose th […]
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I think in Phil's Computer Lab benchmarks Voodoo 3 AGP had about the same performance as a FX5500 PCI on a K6. I would choose the Voodoo 3 for Glide support and period correctness.

SB Live 5.1 is the best all-round card and would be my first choice. It is also period correct. Audigy 2 ZS is best for Windows 98, but it doesn't have DOS support.

Windows 98 SE for best compatibility and DOS support.

256 mb of ram. More than enough for Windows 98 without running into too much memory issues.

- I personally don't like FX series cards much, so I would choose Voodoo 3 in no time. 5500 is a bit on the too modern side for an AMD K6 in my opinion anyways.

- I would choose AWE 64, for hasslefree DOS compatibility. Otherwise (W9x only) Audigy. Audigy has as much dos support as a Live, by the way.

- Windows 98 SE is the most popular choice here, including myself. But you need to be aware of the fact that, Windows ME is not bad and can be patched (with a very simple utility) to make it boot into DOS if required.

- 256 is more than enough, but you can just go ahead and put a 512MB stick. There will be no memory issues to deal with with that amount of memory, too. From 512 to 1024MB requires some simple modifications in your system.ini file, and above 1GB requires the use of HIMEMX or some commercial patches.

Oh yeah, I forgot. I also have a sound Blaster Pro 2.
I think I want a card with midi support built in , so a Yamaha Ymf chip is a must.

Intel486dx33 wrote:

Oh yeah, I forgot. I also have a sound Blaster Pro 2.
I think I want a card with midi support built in , so a Yamaha Ymf chip is a must.

I tried an SBPro 2 and it didn't work for me. Apparently, this and earlier cards can be picky on faster systems (Pentium and up).
As for fitzpatr's comment, I agree. If 2+ cards are an option, then absolutely an Audigy or Vortex2 are the way to go.

May I also add, that I don't care for period correctness what-so-ever. And with that in mind, may I suggest to also get a PCI IDE controller such as a Promise Ultra 100 or 133. These help with issues on larger disks and can handle anything you through at them except for CD-ROM drives for which you still use the on-board controller. With Bus Mastering and great Windows 98 and DOS compatibility, you won't regret the speed boost.
I also bought from StarTech an IDE/CompactFlash front 5 1/4 bay adapter and use a 32GB CF card as my hard disk.

I also have a 3dfx Voodoo Banshee PCI if the Voodoo-3 AGP is too much for this CPU.

Intel486dx33 wrote:

I also have a 3dfx Voodoo Banshee PCI if the Voodoo-3 AGP is too much for this CPU.

I'd keep the Voodoo3 in this machine.
It seems like the best combination as the 3dfx drivers were well optimized for 3DNow! and lets be honest, the Voodoo3 3000 is no beast either. The perfect pairing.

I'd keep the Banshee for an early socket 7 machine, or just sell it.

On a different note, congrats on that case. I'm jealous, but too bad your mobo is AT and not ATX. It'll make things a little more annoying and unless you have an AT/ATX coverplate you'll have a big hole in the back of the case where the AT keyboard connector is.

tpowell.ca wrote:

I'd keep the Voodoo3 in this machine. It seems like the best combination as the 3dfx drivers were well optimized for 3DNow! and […]
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Intel486dx33 wrote:

I also have a 3dfx Voodoo Banshee PCI if the Voodoo-3 AGP is too much for this CPU.

I'd keep the Voodoo3 in this machine.
It seems like the best combination as the 3dfx drivers were well optimized for 3DNow! and lets be honest, the Voodoo3 3000 is no beast either. The perfect pairing.

I'd keep the Banshee for an early socket 7 machine, or just sell it.

On a different note, congrats on that case. I'm jealous, but too bad your mobo is AT and not ATX. It'll make things a little more annoying and unless you have an AT/ATX coverplate you'll have a big hole in the back of the case where the AT keyboard connector is.

Yes, The more ventilation the better. They sell blank I/O covers on eBay for about $3
I like working with Aluminum case because they are light and usually precisely made so everything just seems to fit and work.
They cost about the same as a retro AT case so I would rather go Aluminum.

So as of Now, Here is the build list:

Motherboard - Soyo SY-5EHM
CPU - AMD K6-3 450 going to over clock to 550mhz.
RAM - 256mb CL2
Graphics - Voodoo-3 3000 AGP
Audio - Sound Blaster Pro 2 .
Network - Intel 10/100
CDROM - Sony Slot loading 16x
HD - 160gb 72000rpm Seagate.
PSU - 500 watt ATX
Case - Lian Li
OS - Win 98se

Sound Good ?

Intel486dx33 wrote:

So as of Now, Here is the build list: […]
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So as of Now, Here is the build list:

Motherboard - Soyo SY-5EHM
CPU - AMD K6-3 450 going to over clock to 550mhz.
RAM - 256mb CL2
Graphics - Voodoo-3 3000 AGP
Audio - Sound Blaster Pro 2 .
Network - Intel 10/100
CDROM - Sony Slot loading 16x
HD - 160gb 72000rpm Seagate.
PSU - 500 watt ATX
Case - Lian Li
OS - Win 98se

Sound Good ?

Yup. Let us know if the SBPro2 works with your setup.

The SB Pro 2 sticks out like a sore thumb; you really don't need or want that card in this system because of the noise level alone. Even if you want genuine OPL3 in a decent ISA card, there are way better options out there, and you do not want to be deprived of things like A3D and EAX in a Voodoo 3 build. Alas, I would strongly suggest replacing it with a Vortex 2 or Live! card and pair that with a simple 16-bit ISA card with an OPL3 chip for FM Synth if you really need that. I would reserve the SB Pro 2 for a 386/486 build.

appiah4 wrote:

The SB Pro 2 sticks out like a sore thumb; ..

^^I liked that 🤣

What Appiah says is soooo true.

SB Pro 2 is a very valuable card, heck, I've been looking for a reasonably priced one for years, but not for a Pentium II class machine, not even fo a 486. I want it just to replicate an old 386SX PC that I had in the past.

Compared to any of the other cards you have, this card is just old and noisy and I think "real OPL" is something waaay overrated.

In any case, you can always use two or more sound cards in a build.

appiah4 wrote:

The SB Pro 2 sticks out like a sore thumb; you really don't need or want that card in this system because of the noise level alone. Even if you want genuine OPL3 in a decent ISA card, there are way better options out there, and you do not want to be deprived of things like A3D and EAX in a Voodoo 3 build. Alas, I would strongly suggest replacing it with a Vortex 2 or Live! card and pair that with a simple 16-bit ISA card with an OPL3 chip for FM Synth if you really need that. I would reserve the SB Pro 2 for a 386/486 build.

So as of Now, Here is the build list:

Motherboard - Soyo SY-5EHM
CPU - AMD K6-3 450 going to over clock to 550mhz.
RAM - 256mb CL2
Graphics - Voodoo-3 3000 AGP
Audio - Sound Blaster Live 5.1 PCI.
Network - Intel 10/100
CDROM - Sony Slot loading 16x
HD - 160gb 72000rpm Seagate.
PSU - 500 watt ATX
Case - Lian Li
OS - Win 98se

Okay yeah, I am going to save the SB Pro 2 for a 486 build. I used an SB live 5.1 PCI card instead.
Works good. I put the computer together last night but I ran into a problem. I have been having this problem with the serial port ribbon cables.
They don't seem to work. When I hook up my serial mouse it does not work. So I used an ISA controller card with serial ports and it works.
In Windows 98se all 4 of my serial ports are working. The on-board serial ports and the ISA controller serial ports. They all show up as good and working correctly.
So I hooked up my serial port ribbons to the ISA card and the mouse did not work. So the problem is the ribbon cable.
I just bought these NEW they are Dual DB9 (RS232) 10 Pin serial ports. My motherboard serial connectors only have 9 pins ?
I don't know if the pin out is different or not ?

Where can I get the correct serial port cables ?

Go on amazon and do a search for StarTech Serial

No ISA sound card? So you don't plan to use this system for pure DOS gaming, only from within Windows?

On a system like this I would prefer a PS/2 mouse, but I guess the AT board is the limiting factor here. You'd need a PCI to PS/2 card, and a lot of your slots are already populated...

dr_st wrote:

No ISA sound card? So you don't plan to use this system for pure DOS gaming, only from within Windows?

On a system like this I would prefer a PS/2 mouse, but I guess the AT board is the limiting factor here. You'd need a PCI to PS/2 card, and a lot of your slots are already populated...

I purchase 4 of these boards slightly used from eBay. They look NEW like system pulls from computers that where never used.
However I only received the motherboard with no peripherals or accessories.

They do have connectors for PS/2 mouse and serial ports too. But no I don't have any compatible connectors.

Okay then, I might add a Sound Blaster AWE 64 ISA or Yamaha Audition 32 YMF-7xx ISA card too.