Macca70 wrote on 2021-09-18, 12:58:

or an Athlon Socket A and really any recommendations for particular boards because looking at the socket A boards especially it seems like a minefield as to what supports AGP 3.3v and what doesn't , even when they have what looks like a Universal AGP slot they don't necessarily support 3.3v after looking in the manuals online.

Well, it's rather simple. All VIA KX133, KT133, KT133A, KT266, KT266A and SiS 735 motherboards will support 3,3 V cards. Forget about NForce2, VIA KT400 or newer.
KT266A is preferable if you're looking for best performance. If you need ISA slot, then you should look for KX/KT133(A) based boards (SDRAM only).
If you'll go socket A path, then use PSU with strong +5V rail (at least 30 amps).

To me, a late slot-1 or socket-A motherboard and processor combo are the perfect pairing with a Voodoo 3 graphics card if you are going period correct with this build.

There's some NLX format video cards have the VGA hole high on the bracket... they have a long bottom bracket to pcb, but you can cut that off short and drill it if it meets the hole on the voodoo.

What I usually steal brackets off are modems, the hole is a bit too big side to side, but it makes it easy to get a nibbler in to enlarge it up or down.. when it's mounted you see a bit of a gap, but I don't care personally.

For KT133A boards, the Abit KT7A is pretty much the best. With a modified BIOS you can run the Barton core CPUs and the mobile CPUs are good for this board. To get the higher multiplier support, a simple socket wire mod is the way to go.

Be prepared to replace the capacitors on this era of boards though.

There is another option but it is very rare.. the Biostar M7MIA. It is the only socket a board with ISA that uses DDR RAM.

I have used the brackets from a tnt diamond viper v550 card, perfect fit for voodoo3 and they are faitlrly common around here.

And yes, kt400 and up is not compatible, kt333 can be tricky and from kt266a and down it's save for 3,3v agp. More is not needed, you can max out a v3 on a later p3 or early Athlon at 800x600 and up. At 640x480 it scales pretty high but p4/late Athlon is overkill.

Absolutely brilliant , thanks very much for the replies , very much appreciated.
I have options to look for now and the info about PCI brackets is very helpful , can't thank you enough.
No rush , I'll wait it out until I find what I want , this build will be a keeper , thanks so much. 👍

Lee