VOGONS

Search

Common searches

Build considerations: "All things dual" (Dual P3 + V5 5500)

Topic actions

First post, by gex85

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

Hey guys,
I am considering a new build with "all things dual", as the thread title suggests.

Background:
1. Earlier this year I "found" a Voodoo 5 5500 AGP in a scrap lot, as I described here: Re: What retro activity did you get up to today?
2. Last week I received a Tyan Tiger 100 (dual Slot 1, 440BX) with two P3-600 CPUs: Re: Bought these (retro) hardware today
3. Searching on the forums, I found this 2017 thread with a system built around these two components that looks just fantastic: Dual Slot-1 PIII / Voodoo 5 5500 build

So now I am planning to do a similar build with the following hardware:
- Tyan Tiger 100 Dual Slot 1 mainboard
- 2x Pentium III 600 MHz CPUs
- 4x 256MB RAM
- Voodoo 5 5500
- 3ware 7000-2 dual-port IDE RAID controller to increase read/write speed and work around the BIOS disk size limitation
- Dual IDE hard disks in RAID0 or RAID1, something in the 40-80 GB range
- D-Link dual port ethernet adapter with two Intel chips
- Maybe dual sound cards, probably a Yamaha Waveforce 192XG (YMF724) and one ISA sound card, not decided yet. That would only make sense if I would dual-boot with DOS.
- USB 2.0 PCI card, because why not

I want to go with Windows 2000 (and maybe dual-boot DOS), because it is my favorite retro OS and supports dual CPUs. Not the ideal choice for the Voodoo 5, which would probably work better with Win 98, I know.

Question 1:
Regarding graphics cards, I could also do a Rage Fury Maxx (2x Rage 128) + Voodoo 2 SLI setup. That would support the "all things dual" theme even better, but the Maxx doesn't have drivers for anything else than Win9x, which would make the dual CPUs quite pointless. What do you think?
(I know the CPUs are a bit on the weak side for the Voodoo, but I don't have anything faster for Slot 1, let alone a matched pair. But if maxing out the Voodoo was the goal, I would go with a Socket A system anyway, so that's not the point here.)

Question 2:
I haven't decided on a case yet. These are the options:
- Use a generic beige box, InWin H500. Pretty boring, I think.
- Use a black Chieftec CS601, which would be at least somewhat period correct, but then I would need a new case for my S775 build which currently occupies the Chieftec.
- Get a brand new BeQuiet Pure Base 600 with tempered glass side door. This would allow for clean cable management and nice exhibitions of the components. I would probably even add some white LEDs to illuminate the build which should look pretty cool since all PCBs are of the same green color. Usually I don't do retro builds in modern cases, but I think I could make an exception here. I already have like 10 or 15 beige boxes, something different wouldn't be too bad.

Any comments?

My retro computers

Reply 1 of 28, by doogie

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

Sounds like a fantastic build to me. Always a fan of dual CPUs and of Windows 2000. I much prefer using modern case/power/cooling when feasible - just so much easier in my opinion. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

Reply 3 of 28, by Warlord

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

I planing to rebuild my IBM OR840 at some point. I don't want dual everything though. Just going to voodoo 2 SLI on it. Thats only dual besides the CPU. Funny thing is I have a dual port gigabit nic in it right now, and plan on removing it.

I have one of those 3ware raid controllers in mine I think its Escalade 8006. It's a good card its slow though in raid 1. I might hook 2 ssds up to mine and go raid 0 and it might be really quick then.

Reply 5 of 28, by chinny22

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++

I've got V2 SLI in my dual P3 600 (linked in that 2017 post above) It's a good match but yeh my 2d card fails the dual criteria.
If you don't have anywhere better to put the V5 I'd go with that and be happy that it's 2 GPU'S on a card.

Definitely give yourself the option to boot to Win9x and therefore dos. Win9x for those few games that don't like 2k and dos as P3 makes awesome late SVGA dos games rig.
Options are always nice even if you only ever use it few times a year.

Alternatively you could go with a Creative card and Vortex 2. I'd say this is valid reason for 2 soundcards 1 gives you EAX and the other A3D 2.0 Just another idea for you, I still think PCI and ISA is the better choice.

Never thought about dual NIC for my build! Thats a good call 😀

Case, I think modern with good airflow is justified with the amount of hardware that's been crammed in, the fact you get a side window is just a bonus 😀

Reply 6 of 28, by Doornkaat

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t
red-ray wrote on 2020-08-20, 19:42:
Doornkaat wrote on 2020-08-20, 18:16:

Too bad Matrox DualHead only have one GPU.

No, the Matrox Millennium G200 MMS (Dual G200) has two GPUs

This would even allow dual monitors for your build, gex85!

Reply 7 of 28, by red-ray

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
Doornkaat wrote on 2020-08-21, 09:35:

This would even allow dual monitors for your build, gex85!

Or more, but I am unsure how well W2K will do with multiple graphics cards. The closest system I have is as below and I find 2003 Server is the best choice for my system. I also have WXP + NT4 installed, WXP is OK, but NT4 can't deal with all the GPUs.

file.php?id=90449

Attachments

  • RK3.png
    Filename
    RK3.png
    File size
    117.63 KiB
    Views
    840 views
    File comment
    Dual P-!!! + 5 GPU system running 2003 Server
    File license
    Public domain

Reply 9 of 28, by H3nrik V!

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
red-ray wrote on 2020-08-20, 19:42:
Doornkaat wrote on 2020-08-20, 18:16:

Too bad Matrox DualHead only have one GPU.

No, the Matrox Millennium G200 MMS (Dual G200) has two GPUs

Or 4 😎

Too bad it's not AGP, though ..

Please use the "quote" option if asking questions to what I write - it will really up the chances of me noticing 😀

Reply 10 of 28, by H3nrik V!

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
red-ray wrote on 2020-08-21, 10:16:
Or more, but I am unsure how well W2K will do with multiple graphics cards. The closest system I have is as below and I find 200 […]
Show full quote
Doornkaat wrote on 2020-08-21, 09:35:

This would even allow dual monitors for your build, gex85!

Or more, but I am unsure how well W2K will do with multiple graphics cards. The closest system I have is as below and I find 2003 Server is the best choice for my system. I also have WXP + NT4 installed, WXP is OK, but NT4 can't deal with all the GPUs.

file.php?id=90449

And now I start to doubt, whether it was W2K or only XP, I have run in dual-card setup .. I would've sworn that I ran 2K that way too, but now, I'm doubting my memory ..

Please use the "quote" option if asking questions to what I write - it will really up the chances of me noticing 😀

Reply 11 of 28, by red-ray

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
H3nrik V! wrote on 2020-08-21, 11:54:

And now I start to doubt, whether it was W2K or only XP, I have run in dual-card setup .. I would've sworn that I ran 2K that way too, but now, I'm doubting my memory ..

Back in the day I used to run a G550 with two displays on W2K, but I can't remember if I ever used two GPUs.

I just tried an S3 Savage 2000 + Matrox G450 on W2K, the drivers installed OK, but I was unable to get the S3 to run at 1920 x 1200 once I installed the G450.

Once I booted 2003 server I could. Thinking back W2K was the first version which had inbuilt support for multiple displays, but it was limited and WXP and later do far better.

Reply 12 of 28, by Warlord

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

I have ran all 3 OS on my or840 before, XP and 2003 they have better multi tasking but they more overhead. 2003 is not as bad as XP. Fully patched both of them are hogs though. XP SP1 or 2 is ok 3 and 3 with patches is a no for me. I have ran a 2003 Nlited with 75% of the OS removed and it was alright.

Reply 13 of 28, by H3nrik V!

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
red-ray wrote on 2020-08-21, 15:36:
H3nrik V! wrote on 2020-08-21, 11:54:

And now I start to doubt, whether it was W2K or only XP, I have run in dual-card setup .. I would've sworn that I ran 2K that way too, but now, I'm doubting my memory ..

Back in the day I used to run a G550 with two displays on W2K, but I can't remember if I ever used two GPUs.

I had an AGP and a PCI card in at the same time, but if it was 2K or XP, you have made me doubt 😉

Please use the "quote" option if asking questions to what I write - it will really up the chances of me noticing 😀

Reply 15 of 28, by chinny22

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++
H3nrik V! wrote on 2020-08-21, 19:54:
red-ray wrote on 2020-08-21, 15:36:
H3nrik V! wrote on 2020-08-21, 11:54:

And now I start to doubt, whether it was W2K or only XP, I have run in dual-card setup .. I would've sworn that I ran 2K that way too, but now, I'm doubting my memory ..

Back in the day I used to run a G550 with two displays on W2K, but I can't remember if I ever used two GPUs.

I had an AGP and a PCI card in at the same time, but if it was 2K or XP, you have made me doubt 😉

I've got a Voodoo 3 PCI and GF4 AGP running 2 screens in Win98/2k if that's what you are doubting?
3 or more screens cant help with first hand knowledge but would think its fine as long as drivers support it.
Did run a TV off a GF2 in Win98 as mirrored monitor back in the late 90's (DVD's) I cant imagine windows caring if i had another card running yet another display

Reply 16 of 28, by The Serpent Rider

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++

Regarding graphics cards, I could also do a Rage Fury Maxx (2x Rage 128)

Waste of time for NT OS oriented setup - no drivers.

I must be some kind of standard: the anonymous gangbanger of the 21st century.

Reply 17 of 28, by red-ray

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
The Serpent Rider wrote on 2020-08-23, 10:33:

Regarding graphics cards, I could also do a Rage Fury Maxx (2x Rage 128)

Waste of time for NT OS oriented setup - no drivers.

This statement is incorrect, I just checked the SIV save file from one of my 2003 Server systems which actually has the Rage 128 drivers installed along with a few other display drivers!

Class       Description - Showing 88                                               Provider   Version         Service 

Display     3dfx Voodoo3                                                           Microsoft  5.1.2001.0      3dfxvs 
Display     3dfx Voodoo5                                                           Microsoft  5.1.2001.0      3dfxvs 
Display     ATI FireMV 2200 PCI                                                    ATI        8.253.200.1     ati2mtag
Display     ATI FireMV 2200 PCI Secondary                                          ATI        8.253.200.1     ati2mtag
Display     ATI Technologies Inc. 3D RAGE IIC AGP                                  Microsoft  5.2.3790.0      atirage
Display     ATI Technologies Inc. 3D RAGE IIC AGP                                  Microsoft  5.2.3790.0      atirage
Display     ATI Technologies, Inc. 3D RAGE PRO AGP 2X                              Microsoft  5.1.2001.0      atirage3
Display     Intel740 Compatible Graphics Adapter                                   Microsoft  5.1.2001.0      i740 
Display     Matrox G550 (Microsoft Corporation)                                    Matrox     5.86.32.0       G550DH
Display     Matrox Graphics Millennium II AGP                                      Microsoft  5.1.2001.0      mgau
Display     Matrox Graphics Millennium PCI                                         Microsoft  5.1.2001.0      mgau 
Display     Matrox Millennium G400 (Microsoft Corporation)                         Matrox     5.86.32.0       G400DH
Display     NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200                                                 NVIDIA     6.14.11.7519    nv
Display     RADEON 7000 RADEON VE Family (Microsoft Corporation)                   ATI        6.13.10.6153    ati2mtag
Display     RAGE 128 PRO Ultra GL AGP (Microsoft Corporation)                      ATI        6.13.10.5021    ati2mtaa 
Display     RAGE XL PCI Family (Microsoft Corporation)                             ATI        5.10.2600.6014  ati2mpad 
Display     S3 Inc. Trio3D/2X Display Driver Version 5.30.05 Engineering Release   S3         0.5.30.5        S3Inc
Display     S3 Trio64V2                                                            Microsoft  5.2.3790.0      s3m 
Display     SiS 5598/6326                                                          Microsoft  5.1.2001.0      SiSV
Display     XGI Volari Z7-Z9-Z9s-Z9M-Z11-Z11M v1.14.04                             XGI        6.14.10.1140

Reply 19 of 28, by red-ray

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
The Serpent Rider wrote on 2020-08-23, 12:17:

Rage 128 drivers

Rage 128 != ATI Rage Fury MAXX

I feel before you make such statements it would be appropriate to do some simple checks, it's obvious that Rage 128 != ATI Rage Fury MAXX and clearly 2003 Server has an ATI Rage Fury MAXX driver !

Given the Fury MAXX is basically 2 x Rage 128 for there not to beeen a Fury MAXX driver is highly unlikely.

file.php?id=90595

Attachments

Go to top of page Go to top of page
Back to General Old Hardware
Close window
Close window