VOGONS


First post, by AlessandroB

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I have to decide whether to install the sound blaster 32 or the awe32 in the pentium (original is 100Mhz but I can bring it to 200) or one of the two cards in the Pentium Pro. Usually I use the manufacturing dates to decide the hardware combinations, but this time they are all from 1995. Which card will you put in that computer and with what motivation?

Reply 1 of 14, by Shponglefan

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Depends on the specific models of AWE32 and SB32 in question and what you plan to use them for.

If one of those cards has a genuine OPL3 chip, I would use that in the Pentium system since I imagine that system is more likely to be used with DOS games that use FM synthesis.

Pentium 4 Multi-OS Build
486 DX4-100 with 6 sound cards
486 DX-33 with 5 sound cards

Reply 2 of 14, by AlessandroB

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Shponglefan wrote on 2025-09-28, 19:52:

Depends on the specific models of AWE32 and SB32 in question and what you plan to use them for.

If one of those cards has a genuine OPL3 chip, I would use that in the Pentium system since I imagine that system is more likely to be used with DOS games that use FM synthesis.

I plan to use both with DOS and also test other operating systems, on the classic Pentium Win95, 98, etc. just to test them, for fun. On the Pentium Pro, both DOS and other... even Win2000, XP, but it should focus on WinNT4. I will not install just one operating system but multiple on different compact flash cards. The awe32 has the OPL3 chip while the sb32 does not. Perhaps since the Pentium Pro is rarer, I was thinking of installing the card without OPL3 since between the two computers I will use it less to preserve it.

Reply 3 of 14, by luckybob

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Pentium pro is junk for gaming. nobody should use them for anything, ever.

It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes.

Reply 4 of 14, by dionb

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AlessandroB wrote on 2025-09-29, 18:41:
Shponglefan wrote on 2025-09-28, 19:52:

Depends on the specific models of AWE32 and SB32 in question and what you plan to use them for.

If one of those cards has a genuine OPL3 chip, I would use that in the Pentium system since I imagine that system is more likely to be used with DOS games that use FM synthesis.

I plan to use both with DOS and also test other operating systems, on the classic Pentium Win95, 98, etc. just to test them, for fun. On the Pentium Pro, both DOS and other... even Win2000, XP, but it should focus on WinNT4. I will not install just one operating system but multiple on different compact flash cards. The awe32 has the OPL3 chip while the sb32 does not. Perhaps since the Pentium Pro is rarer, I was thinking of installing the card without OPL3 since between the two computers I will use it less to preserve it.

Again, which ones exactly? SB32 overlaps with AWE32 and AWE64. If it's a CT3670 it's basically an AWE64 but with easier RAM upgrade; it's a better match with the system not doing really old stuff, if it's a CT3600 or CT3620 it's more like (one of the lesser) AWE32s - but maybe your AWE32 is just as bad...

Reply 6 of 14, by AlessandroB

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luckybob wrote on 2025-09-29, 20:29:

Pentium pro is junk for gaming. nobody should use them for anything, ever.

For example, I'm curious to know how Doom would have played on all computers from the 286 to the Pentium 4, and I want to try it out with my fingers, as well as many other games. I haven't gotten a Pentium Pro as my primary retro gaming machine.

Reply 7 of 14, by AlessandroB

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dionb wrote on 2025-09-29, 20:34:
AlessandroB wrote on 2025-09-29, 18:41:
Shponglefan wrote on 2025-09-28, 19:52:

Depends on the specific models of AWE32 and SB32 in question and what you plan to use them for.

If one of those cards has a genuine OPL3 chip, I would use that in the Pentium system since I imagine that system is more likely to be used with DOS games that use FM synthesis.

I plan to use both with DOS and also test other operating systems, on the classic Pentium Win95, 98, etc. just to test them, for fun. On the Pentium Pro, both DOS and other... even Win2000, XP, but it should focus on WinNT4. I will not install just one operating system but multiple on different compact flash cards. The awe32 has the OPL3 chip while the sb32 does not. Perhaps since the Pentium Pro is rarer, I was thinking of installing the card without OPL3 since between the two computers I will use it less to preserve it.

Again, which ones exactly? SB32 overlaps with AWE32 and AWE64. If it's a CT3670 it's basically an AWE64 but with easier RAM upgrade; it's a better match with the system not doing really old stuff, if it's a CT3600 or CT3620 it's more like (one of the lesser) AWE32s - but maybe your AWE32 is just as bad...

i let you know, for what i rember my awe32 is the best one (chip combination) except for the plug and play feature.

Reply 8 of 14, by luckybob

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Shponglefan wrote on 2025-09-29, 23:03:
luckybob wrote on 2025-09-29, 20:29:

Pentium pro is junk for gaming. nobody should use them for anything, ever.

They do well under Windows. Less well with certain DOS titles.

Nope. Fake news.

Nobody should own Pentium Pro. They all should be shipped to me for destruction. PM me for the address. I will bear this cross for the community.

It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes.

Reply 9 of 14, by Ozzuneoj

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luckybob wrote on 2025-09-30, 14:35:
Shponglefan wrote on 2025-09-29, 23:03:
luckybob wrote on 2025-09-29, 20:29:

Pentium pro is junk for gaming. nobody should use them for anything, ever.

They do well under Windows. Less well with certain DOS titles.

Nope. Fake news.

Nobody should own Pentium Pro. They all should be shipped to me for destruction. PM me for the address. I will bear this cross for the community.

This also goes for dual and quad Pentium Pro boards, right?

Now for some blitting from the back buffer.

Reply 10 of 14, by Nexxen

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luckybob wrote on 2025-09-30, 14:35:

Nope. Fake news.

Nobody should own Pentium Pro. They all should be shipped to me for destruction. PM me for the address. I will bear this cross for the community.

Your full sacrifice, beyond human comprehension, is commendable.
A crowdfunding is established to raise a monument with your likenesses.
Humanity will still remember you, even after complete dissolution of your remains.

Ozzuneoj wrote on 2025-09-30, 18:31:

This also goes for dual and quad Pentium Pro boards, right?

He won't spare himself. Everything is transient except his enthusiasm.
Martyr of the cause to the full extent.

Will be remembered.

----

I used PPro for gaming but I ended up going with P-II overdrive and basically I just went P-III.
It was funny for a bit but I eventually went for AGP and PC-133 ram.

PC#1 Pentium 233 MMX - 98SE
PC#2 PIII-1Ghz - 98SE/W2K

- "One hates the specialty unobtainium parts, the other laughs in greed listing them under a ridiculous price" - kotel studios
- Bare metal ist krieg.

Reply 11 of 14, by leileilol

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something something Quake TECHINFO.TXT

apsosig.png
long live PCem

Reply 12 of 14, by Nexxen

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leileilol wrote on 2025-10-01, 01:01:

something something Quake TECHINFO.TXT

https://github.com/id-Software/Quake/blob/mas … ta/TECHINFO.TXT
Line 536.
Fastvid... Never read that txt.

PC#1 Pentium 233 MMX - 98SE
PC#2 PIII-1Ghz - 98SE/W2K

- "One hates the specialty unobtainium parts, the other laughs in greed listing them under a ridiculous price" - kotel studios
- Bare metal ist krieg.

Reply 13 of 14, by H3nrik V!

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Ozzuneoj wrote on 2025-09-30, 18:31:
luckybob wrote on 2025-09-30, 14:35:
Shponglefan wrote on 2025-09-29, 23:03:

They do well under Windows. Less well with certain DOS titles.

Nope. Fake news.

Nobody should own Pentium Pro. They all should be shipped to me for destruction. PM me for the address. I will bear this cross for the community.

This also goes for dual and quad Pentium Pro boards, right?

I think it goes even more, the more sockets. Bob is a great guy for bearing this sacrifice for the community!

If it's dual it's kind of cool ... 😎

--- GA586DX --- P2B-DS --- BP6 ---

Please use the "quote" option if asking questions to what I write - it will really up the chances of me noticing 😀

Reply 14 of 14, by maxtherabbit

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Nexxen wrote on 2025-10-01, 05:18:
https://github.com/id-Software/Quake/blob/mas … ta/TECHINFO.TXT Line 536. Fastvid... Never read that txt. […]
Show full quote
leileilol wrote on 2025-10-01, 01:01:

something something Quake TECHINFO.TXT

https://github.com/id-Software/Quake/blob/mas … ta/TECHINFO.TXT
Line 536.
Fastvid... Never read that txt.

also applies to p2 and p3 afaik, they just didn't exist when that document was written