First post, by Great Hierophant
- Rank
- l33t
The two main areas of concern here are Graphics and Sound Cards. Supply is not really a problem with other components, like input devices (keyboard, mice), output devices (monitors, speakers and printers) storage (hard disks, CD-ROMs and floppies). SIMM-style RAM doesn't seem to be much of a problem. Processors before the later 486s often couldn't be upgraded without replacing the motherboard as well as the CPU, and many of the processors from the 286 to the 486s were soldered to the motherboard. So lets start with graphics. (The only peripherals in short supply may be MFM hard drives, TTL RGB monitors and 360KB 5.25" floppy disk drives.)
The first graphics card for gaming was IBM's Color Graphics Adapter, used for the early games and pretty much ubiquitous from 1981 until 1987. IBM's cards are not rare but third party cards usually are. It is the only card you should consider for compatibility with CGA-tweaking games from Macrocom and Windmill Software.
The second graphics card for gaming was the Hercules Graphics Card. This card (there are more than one model available) allows you to obtain high resolution monochrome graphics in many games. It also is compatible with IBMs Monochrome and Printer Display Adapter for the software that uses it. Supported from 1983 to 1990.
The third graphics card for gaming was the Enhanced CGA built into the IBM PCjr. and copied in the Tandy 1000 line. PCjr.s aren't especially rare but they are tricky beasts to get working with software that supports the Tandy 1000 without any mention of the PCjr. Some early PCjr. specific software will not work very well with a Tandy 1000 (King's Quest.) As these graphics look like the EGA's, they were supported almost until that adapter was disregarded.
The fourth graphics card for gaming was IBM's Enhanced Graphics Adapter. Released soon after the IBM PC AT in 1984, it was so expensive that it took several years before games started supporting it. From 1987-1990 it was pretty much the graphics you would get for a PC game. The IBM card itself is not too rare, but it only had 64KB of RAM on the bare card itself. Two boards must be attached to obtain the 256KB of RAM that the EGA could handle. I have never seen such a tricked out board.
The fifth graphics card for gaming was IBM's Video Graphics Array was the final IBM standard for the PC-compatible world. It is essentially the EGA with the analog 256-color capabilities of the Multicolor Color Graphics Adapter built-into the PS/2 Models 25 and 30. IBM did release an 8-bit ISA card called the PS/2 Display Adapter that only houses standard VGA but again I have never seen it. Otherwise, your only hope of obtaining the most compatible VGA out there is in PS/2 systems with the VGA built-in. 1990-94.
Anything beyond the VGA, SVGA and VESA is non-standard and relatively common and inexpensive enough so that you can afford to take chances. But now let us turn to sound.
Almost all PCs are equipped with a PC Speaker, which is controlled by a timer on the motherboard. Most games that tweak the PC Speaker also expect that the CPU speed is relatively low. An IBM PC or PC/XT may be required for the best in compatibility for this technique.
The second sound standard for PCs is the IBM PCjr. and Tandy 1000 sound chip. Get a Tandy to avoid the headaches of a PCjr., for the same chip should be used. Otherwise get a Game Blaster and write patches for it. The Creative Game Blaster functions like four Tandy 1000 chips and while separate boards were produced, your best bet is to find an early Sound Blaster with the chips on it. (Pre-Sound Blaster Pro.)
The third sound standard is the Adlib, which is essentially an OPL2 sound chip on a board. I would not advise obtaining the bare Adlib board, rather get a much better featured Sound Blaster Pro with two OPL2 chips as well as recording, playback and DSP technology if you can get it. Some games support the stereo features that the later Sound Blasters do not support. It also contains a game port and a passthru for CD-Audio. The early Sound Blaster can be rather rare.
The fourth sound standard is the Roland MT-32 and LAPC-1. I would get the LAPC-1 if I had the choice, as the Roland wll require a MPU-401/AT interface ISA card to interface the MT-32 for maximum compatibility (Intelligent midi.) That card is rather rare as the LAPC-1. Roland MT-32 midi synthesizers are not particularly so.
The fifth sound standard of importance is the Gravis Ultrasound. While no substitute for an Adlib/Sound Blaster, for the few games and many demos that used it properly it was relevatory. Rather rare, stick to the older ones.
The sixth sound standard is the Roland Sound Canvas, and you have three options. An SC-55 midi synthesizer module with a MPU-401/AT interface ISA card, a SCC-1 sound card or a Sound Blaster 16 with a SCD-10 or 15 daugherboard. No path is particularly enviable but or the later games this can't be beat for midi.
The last sound card standard is the later Sound Blasters, the 16 and the AWE series. Get a AWE32 as it is compatible with the 16 and contains RAM banks for custom Sound Fonts. The AWE32 is uncommon but not rare.
Conclusion - Compatibility Costs