First post, by tails
I'm just starting to look into building my first retro Windows 98SE machine and thought I'd keep a log of it here to open it up to questions, comments and sarcastic remarks.
What I'm wanting to have this machine do is to provide entertainment during the research and build phases, then a pleasant Windows 98 experience with some compatibility back into DOS and forwards into Windows XP. Mega compatibility isn't high on my priorities but is always a nice bonus.
I have some parts on hand that I can use even if they aren't the absolute most perfect or period appropriate which I may use. I just hope that they work.
The inspiration for this machine comes from AnandTech's Buyer's Guide: High-End Gaming - August 2002 (https://www.anandtech.com/show/962/2). My logic is that since Windows XP was released in August 2001, A high-end gaming PC from a year later should provide a nice level of overkill, still with plenty of driver support.
Processor
Intel Pentium 4 2.4B GHz
I could get something faster or with Hyper-threading but would it matter at this speed?
Motherboard
Gigabyte 8I865GVMK Socket 478, Intel 865 chipset, dual-channel DDR
RAM
2x256MB Legend L1264D37-BU1HDHDC DDR 400MHz PC3200
or
2x256MB Kingston KVR333X64C25 256MB DDR 333MHz PC2700
or
1x512MB DDR 400MHz
I could go for either one. The mobo does support dual channel ram but I'm still not sure how Win98 likes it, if I will notice the difference or if it even matters at all. There is also the possibility of adding way more ram through various mods but I don’t believe I will see any benefit if only using software from around that time.
Storage
~100GB SATA HDD or SSD
I’ve heard of some issues with using an SSD. Still looking into it
Graphics Card
Gigabyte GeForce FX5500 GV-N55256D REV:1.0 256MB AGP 8x
This seems to be a popular choice for 98 builds and I have easy access to one, so why not?
Sound Card
Creative Sound Blaster Live! CT4830
It supports AdLib, DirectSound, DirectSound3D, MPU-401, Sound Blaster, Sound Blaster 16/Pro and there are reports of people getting it to work in DOS.
Power Supply
Any modernish PSU that I can find laying around for a good price. Does brand matter for these?
Case
This is the hardest part to find so far. I'm not looking for any specific brand as long as it gives me that nostalgia hit.
I'll make updates in this thread as I go.
How does this look to people who might know more than me about this stuff?