First post, by Boohyaka
- Rank
- Oldbie
Hi all, so basically I've read about different builds on here and it is all super informative but also quite overwhelming sometimes 😀 apologies for bringing up some heavily discussed topics but I'd like feedback on my very own builds, and also up-to-date opinions.
My goal, as I got back to retro PC's, is to have a range of builds that would allow me to do almost everything, from early DOS games to WinXP. Also do things I couldn't afford back in the days (higher end hardware, Roland MT-32/SC-55 to name a few). For context I am mostly after the real deal (no emulation), except when modern technology is more convenient or a great alternative - for example I've ordered many PATA-SATA adapters from China so I can use cheap 2.5 SSD's and old SATA HDD'sI had laying around, I'm happily using a Gotek USB floppy emulator, and thanks to this very board I discovered Serge's amazing stuff over at Serdaco for MIDI.
Now I am looking for some feedback about my builds, where I could improve them, where I could have problems for certain games/era's, or even if I have "black spots" somewhere with these builds:
(1) Early DOS/Win3.1: […]
(1) Early DOS/Win3.1:
CPU: Intel 486DX2-66
MB: Soyo SY-025K2 (currently dead as per other topic...I'm working on replacing it)
RAM: 16MB
GFX: CL-GD5426 VLB
Sound: Sound Blaster AWE32 (CT3900) + Roland MT-32/Roland SC-55 (1.21)/Roland SC-50
(2) Late DOS/Win98SE […]
(2) Late DOS/Win98SE
CPU: Intel Pentium III-600 (Katmai)
MB: GIGABYTE i440BX-W977
RAM: 512MB PC133
GFX: 3DFX Voodoo3 3000 AGP
Sound: Avance Logic ALS100 (with Serdaco CHiLL and Phil + DreamBlaster S2)
(3) WinXP (Based on an OEM DELL Dimension 5150) […]
(3) WinXP (Based on an OEM DELL Dimension 5150)
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 630 (Prescott)
MB: DELL OEM (0WG261)
RAM: 2x 512MB DDR2 PC2-4200
GFX: GeForce 7300 LE 256MB PCI-E
Sound: Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 Platinum
Potential "Black Spots":
1- I have considered a Socket7/SS7 build, with maybe a S3 Virge/Matrox Millenium and Voodoo/Voodoo2, but would it be really interesting/necessary? I'm under the impression I could probably cover most of it including Glide games with the P3-600 Katmai and the Voodoo3 3000, am I wrong?
2- would a build with a later PIII/Celeron Tualatin CPU be useful between builds 2 and 3, or should build 3 handle it all fine?
General questions/remarks:
- I know build 1 will be too fast for some early DOS games, but I believe with disabling turbo + disabling caches I should be able to handle most of the games that interest me.
- Is there any interest for running Win95, or would Win98SE basically cover all Win95? Same question for Windows 2000, or should XP do it all?
- Build 3 has a shit GFX card, what would be good build-relevant choices for performance?
- Any other feedback and critics about anything more than welcome, that's why I'm here! 😁 shoot it all!
PS: quick technical question about build 2. I'm using a modern case with a modern power supply (Corsair RM550x). During POST, I get a message that says "Check system health! VCore=2.05V". Computer is stable and everything is fine as far as I can tell, is that because of the modern power supply draining more on different voltages than this mobo is used to, or something like that? Should I be concerned and do anything about it?
Cheers!