First post, by BitWrangler
- Rank
- l33t++
Hi guys,
Trying to plan out what cards to save for what in a build schedule that miiiight stretch over several years, time ain't my friend.
Build platforms ordered by approx age guesstimate..
- Pentium Socket 4 Asus MVP3 motherboard, P66. DOS, Win 3x, Win95 too it is somehow super smooth on this.
- 486 PCI GA486AM/s not quite sure about details but slowest CPU it will have is AMD 8kb DX4-100 DOS, Win 3x
- 486 PCI M919 could end up with Cyrix 5x86 at 2x60 or POD overclocked to 100. DOS, Win 3x
- Pentium "socket 5" but I've only found 430FX boards as standin P90 or P100, stuck between the "affordable/available" first s5 or fastest at launch DOS, Win 3x
- Pentium "socket 5" P54C edition FX board again, may make sure this one has PLB cache, P133 DOS, Win 3x. 95
- Pentium socket 7 430HX mid 96 P166, DOS/95
- Pentium socket 7 430HX high end P200, DOS/95
- Schrodinger build, it might exist when it's observed, had some kind of Opti or other chipset S5 back in the day, if that turns up might get a P90
And now the "in stock" cards, in guesstimated date order...
- ATI Mach64 PCI
- Bali 32 PCI ARK 1000PV
- Cirrus Logic GD5430
- Trident TGUI 9440
- Cirrus Logic GD5436 two count
- Trident TGUI 9680 two count
- Matrox Mystique 2MB
- Virge DX 4MB
- Cirrus Logic GD5446 2MB
- Rage Pro Turbo AIW 4MB
- Schrodinger cards, had at one time a Matrox Millennium, there might be another 2D ATI Mach, Possibly had an Imagine 128, had but not seen lately early Rage with 2MB.
So I am trying to narrow down what is "too good" for some platforms, wasted on them, while they also don't get something "too bad" that is a noticeable bottleneck. While also trying to land within a year to 18 months spread of correct for the time. Parallel to these might be a 6x86 build and above them will be MMX233 and K6-233++ and PII 233++ builds that will get the "serious" 3D hardware. There might be extra Virge cards in play but 2MB, not entirely sure what will be free after juggling cards for V2 and PVR pairing, they might go with better Rages and AGP.
So any thoughts, particular combos to avoid? Particular combos that go really well?
Unicorn herding operations are proceeding, but all the totes of hens teeth and barrels of rocking horse poop give them plenty of hiding spots.