First post, by Atom Ant
Hey retro fans!
I'd like to introduce my Pentrium Pro machine, which turned to be badder as I expected. Originally I meant to build the top gaming machine of 1996. But because the Voodoo 1 4MB (1996) graphics turned to be very limiting factor for Pentium Pro 200MHz and even a single Voodoo 2 12MB, I decided to go with Voodoo 2 12MB SLI.
So, I have an
-Intel PR440FX (1996) motherboard, which said to be the best Socket 8 motherboard,
-Pentium Pro 200MHz 512KB (1996) revision with potential overclock,
-Zalman CNPS90F CPU cooler (modern),
-4x16MB 60ns EDO RAM (1996),
-Matrox Millenium I 4MB (1996),
-Creative 3DBluster Voodoo2 12MB SLI (1998),
-Creative SoundBluster Awe 64 Value (1996),
-32GB Scandisk Ultra SD via Sd to IDE adapter (modern),
-Creative Quad speed CD reader (1995),
-Panasonic big and small floppy drive (early 90's),
-GSE 250W quiet PSU (1997),
-House from the 90's,
-Windows 95 OSR 2.5.
As you can see most of the parts are from 1996, but for the CPU cooler I had to use a modern one, because the original one is loud. For HDD i also had to use a modern IDE to SD adapter, which working fast and quiet, plus big help transferring data from laptop.
The Voodoo 2 SLI are from 1998, but needed for this system! It definiately can benefit from such a strong graphics... See the Quake GL benchmark results! Not mention only Voodoo 2 SLI allows 1024x768 gaming.
For further upgrade I plan to get 128MB 50ns EDO-RAM and a slight overclocking to 210MHz or maybe to 233MHz. My modern Zalman CPU cooler will be able to handle with ease! The PSU is my only concern, if 250W will be enough?
I'd like to get also an a SCSI to SD adapter, because the motherboard has a wonderful SCSI controller. However such an adapter is very expensive nowadays. What do you think guys in speed wise would I benefit using SCSI to SD instead IDE to SD?
So here some pics and Quake GL benchmarks,
Update:
The good thing, it overclocks really well. I was setting 3.5x70MHz FSB and run stable at 245MHz. I measured nice gain in synthetic benchmarks,
My high end of '96 gaming machine;
Intel PR440FX - Pentium Pro 200MHz 512K, Matrox Millenium I 4MB, Creative 3D Blaster Voodoo II 12MB SLI, 128MB EDO RAM, Creative Sound Blaster AWE64 Gold, 4x Creative CD reader, Windows 95...