First post, by prophase_j
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Hey Yall!
So I recently picked up an inclining to build a sick Pentium MMX system. I decided I wanted to have a real "classic system" so I could really remember what kind of gear I used to play with, and provide a different experience from what I get from my "Retro Rocket".
Originally I was going to build it around a Pentium Pro setup, but couldn't decide if I should use the original PPro or an Overdrive. Even if the overdrive seems like a logical choice, it just seems almost too fast for what I wanted to do. Because if I'm at that point, might as well get a real Pentium II. Noise made by those pesky little fans didn't help my decision.
I also contemplated a Socket 5 setup but I figured it would be hard to find a good one. Between Baby AT or ATX, built in cache or CoAST, it seemed really daunting. The old memory tech and bandwidth would surely slow me down too, since there is no SDRAM.
So from there, I contemplated strapping a Pentium Pro to a BX with one of those "slot-ket"s. At first I got really excited about this, with the BX memory controller and even picking up an AGP slot. I later found out that A)the original PPro likely won't work and B)A 400mhz PII would likely eat the overdrive, and be quiet!!
It was then that I remembered that Socket 7 can use the classic or MMX Pentiums, have SDRAM, and are a lot more available. A 233 Pentium MMX sounded pretty nice, it just had a ring to it.
So after some research, I have decided to go with a MVP3 based board. I know everyone and their mother hates VIA, but I haven't had the horrible luck or misfortune I have read about. I understand them to have better performance then the ALi's or Intels. I Know the AGP is a joke, but I figured I wouldn't throw anything more powerful then a TNT2 in here anyway.
Right now the main contender is a FIC PA-2013, it looks like it has a manageable layout, SDRAM, and the 2mb L2 cache is just icing on the cake. I plan on getting a Diamond Stealth 2000 and a vintage Voodoo 1 for video, ideally a Vibra based SB16 with a real OPL3 and daughterboard.
So now to the real question, how can I get the Pentium MMX to 300? I saw a random post that mentioned it, and have been intrigued since. Has anyone here ever done this before? What chip do I need to get a 3x multiplier.. I assumed that the proper combination would be 100fsb x 3, but what I have read is that 233 has a 3.5. I'm also curious as to what kind of cooling would be necessary.
"Retro Rocket"
Athlon XP-M 2200+ // Epox 8KTA3
Radeon 9800xt // Voodoo2 SLI
Diamond MX300 // SB AWE64 Gold