First post, by vetz
- Rank
- l33t
I've gotten hold of a 4 port KVM switch (PS/2 and VGA) which I intend to setup. My systems are nearing completion and I would like to set them up in a practical manner while also saving valuable space. This means I could have up to 4 possible systems to use in this setup. I have an idea of what to use, but help me out here please 😉 I would like to cover all kinds of games from the late 80s to the start of 2000's.
I've left out the soundcards as they can be swapped.
Availability:
1. - Zenith 386 DX20, 387FPU, 4MB of RAM, 64bit cache, 330MB SCSI harddrive, no PS/2 port. (can be overclocked to DX25 with jumpers).
Pros:
- Real 386 system built/bought in 1990. Increases nostalgia value that this isn't just something "Frankenstein" like the other 386.
- 20 or 25mhz
- 387 co-CPU (incase I ever need it 🤣)
Cons:
- Placed in a desktop case, not mid-AT like the others which means it will take up more room.
- More noisy than the other systems.
- No turbo button/option in BIOS
- Can't disable cache in BIOS (need to use jumper)
- No PS/2 port means that I need extra serial mouse connected
2. - 386 DX33, 8MB of RAM, 64bit cache, ET4000AX 1MB, 8GB 50pin SCSI harddrive, 2x SCSI CD-ROM, no PS/2 port.
Pros:
- Very silent
- AT case takes up little space
- Turbo/cache options on case/BIOS
Cons:
- Built from all kind of parts, "not period correct".
- No PS/2 port means that I need extra serial mouse connected
3. - Socket 4 Pentium 66 32MB of RAM, Tseng Labs ET6000 2MB PCI, 36GB Ultra320 68pin SCSI SILENT harddrive, 2x IDE CD-ROM, no PS/2 port.
Pros:
- Not a very common system
- Boots quickly. New RTC chip. Stable and problem free.
- Cache options in BIOS can't be modified by games (Looking at you Ultima VII!)
Cons:
- Similar in speed with the Socket 3 system.
- Case does not have turbo button (can be changed in BIOS)
- No PS/2 port means that I need extra serial mouse connected
4. - Socket 3 Pentium Overdrive @ 100mhz, VLB system with S3 Vision 864 2MB, 3D Blaster VLB, 32MB of RAM, PS/2 port.
Pros:
- Best AT case I've got in terms of looks and features (turbo button, mhz LED, reset button, etc)
- PS2 mouse port which means it can be connected to the KVM switch and I can use my modern Logitech MX518 mouse.
Cons:
- Similar in speed with the Socket 4 system and the games (mostly 3D games) that require more performance run better on the Socket 7 or 440BX system. Falls in between two chairs.
- More tricky to work with. More jumpers on board. Turbo and cache settings don't slow down more than to 486 DX50 or DX66 levels.
- Hardware is of higher value and it is a higher risk it'll break with use, making me more cautious to use it for everyday use.
5. - Socket 7 in AT case. Pentium 200mhz, Intel 430VX, 64MB of RAM, 3D Blaster PCI (or Matrox Mystique or S3 Virge), Apocalypse 3D (PowerVR PCX1), Orchid Righteous 3DFX, 18GB IDE harddrive, CD-RW drive, PS/2 port, USB (but no bracket).
Pros:
- Very flexible in terms of performance. Can be clocked up and down. Cache L1 and L2 off and on.
- Supports loads of first generation API's for capturing/benchmark purposes.
- 1996 period correct (except for harddrive).
- Small AT case.
- ASUS quality on motherboard. The most stable Socket 7 system I own.
Cons:
- Still not powerful for 60FPS high resolutions in late DOS 3D games.
- No turbo button on case (only LED light).
- Case is cramped with hardware. Hard to reach jumpers to change FSB and multiplier.
6. - Socket 7 in Compaq case. AMD K6-III 400mhz, Intel 430VX, 80MB of RAM, 32GB S-ATA SSD drive, S3 Trio 64+ 2MB (integrated), DVD-ROM, Voodoo2 12MB in SLI, PS/2 port, USB
Pros:
- High nostalgia value as it is my childhood machine.
- Quick and silent
Cons:
- Still not powerful for 60FPS high resolutions in late DOS 3D games.
- No restart or turbo button on case. Power on button at backside.
- Compaq "problems", more unstable and more trouble than the other Socket 7 systems. (Love/Hate relationship as I call it)
- Can't change FSB/multiplier or cache settings.
7. - Socket 7 in ATX case, with MVP3 board. This system is not built as of today, but I can put it together using any parts I like.
Pros:
- Combines the features of the Socket 7 AT machine with a SS7 board.
- More space for the hardware and easier jumper access.
- Software control on AMD K6 multiplier.
Cons:
- Still not powerful for 60FPS high resolutions in late DOS 3D games (though beginning to get there).
- Won't be period correct for benchmarks/video capture.
- ATX case take up more space.
8. - Slot 1 in ATX case. Pentium III Tualatin 1400mhz, 1024MB of RAM, 160GB harddrive, GeforceFX 5950 Ultra with Artic Silencer, Matrox M3D (PowerVR PCX2), Voodoo2 12MB
Pros:
- Plays basically everything as long as its not speed dependent.
- Perfect for Windows 3D games like Unreal, Half-Life, Quake 3, etc etc
- No damn jumpers!
- Enough CPU power for high resolution in late DOS 3D games.
I mostly play 1996 to 2000 games so for me the slot 1 system is going to be the main machine. It always annoys me that the Socket 7 systems, while able to play some early 3D games can't run Dungeon Keeper 2, Unreal, Unreal Tournament in min. 1024x768 at 60 fps (which I require today!). So I feel I have to switch at some point and a Socket 7 can't cover all my needs (which it obviously can for many of you guys here on Vogons!).
So do I really need a Socket 7 system? In terms of pure gaming. I think not. I think the Slot 1 can handle all DOS games from 1994-1995 and up. It is the earlier games it has problems with, but I have more interests. I like to benchmark and test hardware. I like to capture and make videos. So I need a socket 7 system for this purpose. Here is why I think "period correctness" is important. This is why I want to have the Socket 7 AT machine around. It also gives a bit more flexbility incase one of my earlier systems can't run a game for some reason or another.
So this leaves the late 80's to around 1994 period. Here I was hoping the 386 and Socket 3/4 could cover it. The Pentiums may be too quick for 1992-1993 games. I dunno, what do you guys think?