AlessandroB wrote on 2023-02-12, 18:27:

I just got a 386 sx25, what sound card could I install? I have a Sound Blaster Pro2 but would like to use it on the DX2. I was almost thinking of leaving the pc speaker…

I have a awe64 gold in my 386SX

Sound Blaster 2.0 or a modern replica of one (e.g. Blasterboard) would be my choice.

Another option could be an Adlib, Media Vision Thunder Board, Sound Blaster 1.0/1.5, or any one of the many clones of those cards.

In general, i've come to love ESS cards - no bugs, very valid FM synth and on games that are aware of it can do even more with that synth.

SB Pro 2 seems perfect for a 386SX.
For a 486DX2, 16-bit sound would be more appropriate.

Grzyb wrote on 2023-02-12, 19:20:

SB Pro 2 seems perfect for a 386SX.
For a 486DX2, 16-bit sound would be more appropriate.

Yeah! Perhaps set up the 386 to be a Multimedia PC Level 1, and the 486 to be Level 2, to go full early 90s: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimedia_PC

some sb/sbpro card that can also do proper ADPCM for games like Duke Nukem 2, Monster Bash etc which are perfect for a 386sx system

keropi wrote on 2023-02-12, 19:30:

some sb/sbpro card that can also do proper ADPCM for games like Duke Nukem 2, Monster Bash etc which are perfect for a 386sx system

what is "ADPCM"?

So what would some of the best SB compatible games that will run well on a 386Sx? Have a 386sx-16 that I plan on working on. Was thinking Wing Commander, Wolfenstein, duke nukem 2?

AlessandroB wrote on 2023-02-12, 20:50:

keropi wrote on 2023-02-12, 19:30:

some sb/sbpro card that can also do proper ADPCM for games like Duke Nukem 2, Monster Bash etc which are perfect for a 386sx system

what is "ADPCM"?

Stands for Adaptive Delta Pulse Code Modulation. It is an audio format used to compress samples, saving precious disk space which wasn't cheap back then.