Graphics card for Pentium Pro build
Dual Pentium Pro Build Thread
A NOT-SO EPIC Dual Pentium Pro Build

Article about extreme overclocking and modding: https://overclockers.ru/lab/show/77627/retrok … um-pro-socket-8

Pentium pros are awesome, and pretty popular around here

In my opinion, the Pentium Pro CPUs (the 256kb and 512kb versions, also have the highest gold content) are the most beautiful socket CPUs ever in CPU history.

doublebuffer wrote on 2023-07-07, 16:41:

... most saying they are useless for anything 16-bit, is that really true or an urban legend?

Indeed Pentium Pros execute 16 bit code slower than equal clocked Pentium 1 or MMX CPUs.
But they were flying when they ran pure 32 bit operating systems like Windows NT.
In fact they weren't widespread on consumer PCs.
That issues had been addressed with the Pentium II, whereas Xeons had been used for the Servers then.

To be fair, most demanding stuff under DOS also was 32-bit.

The Serpent Rider wrote on 2023-07-07, 16:44:

Graphics card for Pentium Pro build Dual Pentium Pro Build Thread A NOT-SO EPIC Dual Pentium Pro Build […]
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Graphics card for Pentium Pro build
Dual Pentium Pro Build Thread
A NOT-SO EPIC Dual Pentium Pro Build

Article about extreme overclocking and modding: https://overclockers.ru/lab/show/77627/retrok … um-pro-socket-8

Interesting stuff, especially the benchmarks with different gpus.

The Serpent Rider wrote on 2023-07-07, 17:30:

To be fair, most demanding stuff under DOS also was 32-bit.

DOS is 16-bit operating system, not sure if there are some kind of extenders which can run also 32-bit code.

doublebuffer wrote on 2023-07-07, 18:06:

DOS is 16-bit operating system, not sure if there are some kind of extenders which can run also 32-bit code.

Yes there is/was: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOS/4G

Quake was the big one for Pentium Pro because not only was that 32-bit (CWSDPMI/DJGPP based btw), Fastvid also immensely helps that and blows the Pentium away.

Usually games from 1993 on wards demanded 32-bit CPU. So in 1995/96 16-bit was not an issue. Although it handles 16-bit just fine.

doublebuffer wrote on 2023-07-07, 18:06:

DOS is 16-bit operating system, not sure if there are some kind of extenders w<hich can run also 32-bit code.

32-bit DOS extenders were quite common. Apart from the popular DOS/4GW, there is DOS/32A (mostly acts as drop-in replacement), PMODE/W and CauseWay.

Applications compiled with DJGPP are always 32-bit DOS executables and they usually come bundled with CWSDPMI which is a DPMI server and works differently than the mentioned DOS extenders.

The Serpent Rider wrote on 2023-07-07, 16:44:

Graphics card for Pentium Pro build Dual Pentium Pro Build Thread A NOT-SO EPIC Dual Pentium Pro Build […]
Show full quote

Graphics card for Pentium Pro build
Dual Pentium Pro Build Thread
A NOT-SO EPIC Dual Pentium Pro Build

Article about extreme overclocking and modding: https://overclockers.ru/lab/show/77627/retrok … um-pro-socket-8

Too bad I don't understand russian as much but that guy went up to 6 x P-II OD 😀
This is really interesting.

Thanks for the links!

Nexxen wrote on 2023-07-07, 23:26:

Too bad I don't understand russian as much but that guy went up to 6 x P-II OD 😀
This is really interesting.

You don't need to, with modern browser or good ol' Google translate.

The 16bit code issue won't matter with most software as the cpu is fast enough to "render" the issue inane. Addtionally the dos software one is most likely to run on such machines is 32bit as in a DPMI host sitting on top of DOS.
I guess a 1MB PPro + fastvid or a Voodoo would be a connoisseur's way to enjoy Quake - ultimate setup in 1996.

amadeus777999 wrote on 2023-07-08, 11:37:

The 16bit code issue won't matter with most software as the cpu is fast enough to "render" the issue inane. Addtionally the dos software one is most likely to run on such machines is 32bit as in a DPMI host sitting on top of DOS.
I guess a 1MB PPro + fastvid or a Voodoo would be a connoisseur's way to enjoy Quake - ultimate setup in 1996.

1MB version was released only in August 18, 1997.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_P … _Pro_processors

kixs wrote on 2023-07-08, 12:04:

1MB version was released only in August 18, 1997.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_P … _Pro_processors

But look at the power dissipation for the cache.
CPU MHz L2-Cache / Typical / Maximum Power Dissipation
PPro 200 256 KB 27.3 Watt / 38.81 Watt
PPro 200 512 KB 32.6 Watt / 42.97 Watt
PPro 200 1024 KB 43 Watt / 51.98 Watt

That's true. I have a dual 1MB P-Pros running at 233Mhz. I will have to replace both coolers with something larger - probably large P3 heatsink and modified clamps.

Disruptor wrote on 2023-07-07, 17:01:

Indeed Pentium Pros execute 16 bit code slower than equal clocked Pentium 1 or MMX CPUs. But they were flying when they ran pure […]
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doublebuffer wrote on 2023-07-07, 16:41:

... most saying they are useless for anything 16-bit, is that really true or an urban legend?

Indeed Pentium Pros execute 16 bit code slower than equal clocked Pentium 1 or MMX CPUs.
But they were flying when they ran pure 32 bit operating systems like Windows NT.
In fact they weren't widespread on consumer PCs.
That issues had been addressed with the Pentium II, whereas Xeons had been used for the Servers then.

The Pentium Pro OD was the same setup as used in the Pentium II Xeon unlike the Pentium II retail CPUs the PPOD had the cache running at full CPU speed, the 333 PPOD should in theory run faster than a PII 333 due to the faster cache. The only catch I guess is the lack of a 100Mhz bus and no AGP, but I do love the Pentium Pro OverDrive CPUs.

Trashbytes wrote on 2023-07-08, 14:58:

The Pentium Pro OD was the same setup as used in the Pentium II Xeon unlike the Pentium II retail CPUs the PPOD had the cache running at full CPU speed, the 333 PPOD should in theory run faster than a PII 333 due to the faster cache. The only catch I guess is the lack of a 100Mhz bus and no AGP, but I do love the Pentium Pro OverDrive CPUs.

https://overclockers.ru/lab/show/77627_2/retr … -pro-socket-8#4

Looks like it if you check results.
It's a very interesting article and the author has more (click on his username).

He even goes as far as putting S8 cpus on S8-to-Slot1 adapters.
https://overclockers.ru/lab/show/102888/retro … i-final-istorii

Nexxen wrote on 2023-07-08, 15:23:

https://overclockers.ru/lab/show/77627_2/retr … -pro-socket-8#4 […]
Show full quote

Trashbytes wrote on 2023-07-08, 14:58:

The Pentium Pro OD was the same setup as used in the Pentium II Xeon unlike the Pentium II retail CPUs the PPOD had the cache running at full CPU speed, the 333 PPOD should in theory run faster than a PII 333 due to the faster cache. The only catch I guess is the lack of a 100Mhz bus and no AGP, but I do love the Pentium Pro OverDrive CPUs.

https://overclockers.ru/lab/show/77627_2/retr … -pro-socket-8#4

Looks like it if you check results.
It's a very interesting article and the author has more (click on his username).

He even goes as far as putting S8 cpus on S8-to-Slot1 adapters.
https://overclockers.ru/lab/show/102888/retro … i-final-istorii

I want one of them Socket 8 to Slot 1 cards.