AT Case and Motherboard is More period correct for a Win95 computer designed before 1998
It’s also a Fun Challenge and learning experience to build the connectors for I/R , PS2, and Serial.
It’s not that Difficult and there are a lot of examples on how to wire it up online.

Win95 build Examples
Link:
Easy Win-95 era gaming PC. ( Voodoo-3 / 3dfx / 3D Now / MMX )

Using ATX in this AT-case would mean a _lot_ of dremeling.

Mainboard #3 (TMC) can be equipped with a pipeline burst COAST module (256K or 512K) - you just have to remove the 8 DIL chips.
For the ODIN rtc you could buy a nice lithium powered replacement.
https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/tmc-my … i54it-ver.-0.10

For P55 (Pentium MMX) or K6-2 CPUs you would still need a VRM module.

majestyk wrote on 2023-09-17, 18:33:

Using ATX in this AT-case would mean a _lot_ of dremeling. […]
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Using ATX in this AT-case would mean a _lot_ of dremeling.

Mainboard #3 (TMC) can be equipped with a pipeline burst COAST module (256K or 512K) - you just have to remove the 8 DIL chips.
For the ODIN rtc you could buy a nice lithium powered replacement.
https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/tmc-my … i54it-ver.-0.10

For P55 (Pentium MMX) or K6-2 CPUs you would still need a VRM module.

Oh wow interesting, thanks!
I wonder how easily (or hardly) those COAST burst modules can be found... especially 512 KB ones...

Mmmm.... so guys, I was a little undecided / confused, so I made a chart to summarize all your useful info and suggestions:

So, with the votes the answer seems pretty obvious.
But there's the case problem: I really wanna use that old AT case. For your convenience, here's its back:

Any chance I might be able to fit an ATX board... somehow?

About Board n. 3: I wonder how easily (or hardly) those COAST burst modules can be found... especially 512 KB ones...

If not, then, considering the case, and the chart I made, what would be your definitive answer?

Btw, I left red "?"s in the cells which info I wasn't able to retrieve. I'd be grateful if any of you could fill in.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

aries-mu wrote on 2023-09-17, 18:56:

Mmmm.... so guys, I was a little undecided / confused, so I made a chart to summarize all your useful info and suggestions: […]
Show full quote

Mmmm.... so guys, I was a little undecided / confused, so I made a chart to summarize all your useful info and suggestions:

So, with the votes the answer seems pretty obvious.
But there's the case problem: I really wanna use that old AT case. For your convenience, here's its back:

Case here

Any chance I might be able to fit an ATX board... somehow?

About Board n. 3: I wonder how easily (or hardly) those COAST burst modules can be found... especially 512 KB ones...

If not, then, considering the case, and the chart I made, what would be your definitive answer?

Btw, I left red "?"s in the cells which info I wasn't able to retrieve. I'd be grateful if any of you could fill in.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I don't think you should modify an AT case. They are scarce.

Boards 1 and 3 are both FX (Triton) chipsets. Since board 3 includes a CPU, RAM, and cache (even though it is asynchronous currently) I would go with board 3.

At least in the US the coast modules do turn up from time to time. You might look up the IBM FRU numbers for the pipeline burst 512k cache modules and they may be easier to find that way. Even with asynchronous cache, or no cache at all but EDO RAM, it will be much faster than a cached 486. In fact there is a NOS listing for a cache module right now entitled UM61L3232AF-7.

I don't think you should call the Odin module "crap" in contrast to a barrel battery it's more of a "vintage motherboard preservation sarcophagus." It's only "crap" if it is soldered down and you don't have the tools to take it off. Board 1 was Odin/Dallas too until someone modified it.

Is there a particular reason you are limited to these boards? If you wanted something even faster you could do Super Socket 7 or the odd AT socket 370 board.

The cacheable area of RAM is limited to 64MB for Intel FX, VX and TX, so 256K L2 cache are sufficient. The additional benefit of 512K is questionable, probably marginal.
256K COAST modules are sold for around $ 20.00.

The chipsets in the table all support 64 or 128MB RAM (not sure about the SiS), sometimes it´s necessary to update BIOS.

jakethompson1 wrote on 2023-09-17, 19:31:

I don't think you should modify an AT case. They are scarce. […]
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I don't think you should modify an AT case. They are scarce.

Boards 1 and 3 are both FX (Triton) chipsets. Since board 3 includes a CPU, RAM, and cache (even though it is asynchronous currently) I would go with board 3.

At least in the US the coast modules do turn up from time to time. You might look up the IBM FRU numbers for the pipeline burst 512k cache modules and they may be easier to find that way. Even with asynchronous cache, or no cache at all but EDO RAM, it will be much faster than a cached 486. In fact there is a NOS listing for a cache module right now entitled UM61L3232AF-7.

I don't think you should call the Odin module "crap" in contrast to a barrel battery it's more of a "vintage motherboard preservation sarcophagus." It's only "crap" if it is soldered down and you don't have the tools to take it off. Board 1 was Odin/Dallas too until someone modified it.

Is there a particular reason you are limited to these boards? If you wanted something even faster you could do Super Socket 7 or the odd AT socket 370 board.

Oh thanks a lot!
Oh I simply put "crap" to joke a little bit, and make you guys smile.

Interesting... Yes, I agree not to mess up the AT case after all.

Oh, IBM? Does that mean that those pipeline burst cache modules are 'universal' as in cross-brand? Almost like RAM modules?

Sorry for my ignorance... what is a "NOS listing"?

Well, the reason for these boards is that I'm in Italy and overseas shipping is expensive. A dude close to my place sells these boards in a local market and for good prices. National shipping in Italy costs nothing. Socket 370? 😳 Super Socket 7? I'll have to investigate those... Thanks

aries-mu wrote on 2023-09-17, 19:40:

Sorry for my ignorance... what is a "NOS listing"?

"NOS" means new old stock, i.e. a new part that somehow sat in a warehouse or someone's closet for 25+ years and was never used...

VivienM wrote on 2023-09-17, 19:53:

aries-mu wrote on 2023-09-17, 19:40:

Sorry for my ignorance... what is a "NOS listing"?

"NOS" means new old stock, i.e. a new part that somehow sat in a warehouse or someone's closet for 25+ years and was never used...

oh wow! That's the best! Thanks!

I didn't notice that the third one had a COAST slot. That would be my choice as well.

Board 4 is a Gigabyte GA-586STX2, and #5 is an FIC PA-2010+. If we talk you into switching to ATX, the Gigabyte would be another good choice, but the SiS 5582 chipset is a little overkill for a Pentium 90. It would run good with a Pentium MMX or one of the 75MHz bus Cyrix CPUs.

some chipset benchmarks https://dependency-injection.com/early-pentium-chipsets/

majestyk wrote on 2023-09-17, 19:36:

The cacheable area of RAM is limited to 64MB for Intel FX, VX and TX, so 256K L2 cache are sufficient. The additional benefit of 512K is questionable, probably marginal.
256K COAST modules are sold for around $ 20.00.

I've got that covered with game benchmarks: Intel 430HX L2 256Kb VS Intel 430HX L2 512Kb VS Intel 430TX L2 512Kb - Motherboards comparison

aries-mu, if you insist to use AT case, than your choices are limited to mobo #1 or #3.

I think this is board #1 and since it lacks any options for CPU upgrade beyond 3.3V P1 (P54C), the right choice for AT-mobo is pointing to board #3 with slots for COAST module and VRM module.

Note. Best choice ATX-board #2 is of brand MSI, not "MS" 😉

P.S. My "best to worst" chart:
ATX system:
1. #2
2. #5 ("slower RAM bug" for this VIA chipset in Award BIOS can be fixed by BIOSpatcher)
3. #4
AT system:
1. #3
2. #1

Wow, I'd have to quote you all guys, thanks so much!

Your suggestions and advising led me to conclude that Board #3 it is.

Wow, fantastic benchmarks: the one of the chipsets (which also adds useful info and descriptions) and The Serpent Rider's one! Thank you guys.

Still, the #2, money permitting, I should get too and keep it on ice...