VOGONS


First post, by maw

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Most likely a stupid question.

I just started to build a new 486 machine and want it to cover a certain range of games eg WC1 to 4. So I thought the turbo button will do the job. But when I "un-turbo" with the 5x86 plugged the entire system comes to a standstill. Completely unusable. I press turbo and everything is back to normal.

If I do the same with a DX4-100 same system then the system is still usable in not turbo mode.

Is this a 5x86 problem in general or something with my board? ( https://stason.org/TULARC/pc/motherboards/D/D … -BUS-MV035.html )

Thanks
M.

BOX#1: ASUS P5A | Pentium1 200 | 64MB PC100 | Voodoo3 AGP | AWE64 GOLD + SIMMConn| 16GB Kingspec DOM | DVD Drive | Dos 6.22 + Win98

Reply 2 of 9, by Nexxen

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https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/edom-w … tech-mv035#bios

Check BIOS and upgrade if necessary. Being there only one file I hope it helps.

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Reply 3 of 9, by megatron-uk

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Instead of the turbo button, try using setmul.exe instead.

With it set to disable L1 cache of the AMD 5x86, mine drops to a speed equivalent to somewhere around a 486 dx33.

I suspect WC4 will be too much for the 5x86. I found it 'ok', but not pleasant. WC3 was fine though.

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Reply 4 of 9, by appiah4

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megatron-uk wrote on 2024-05-02, 11:43:

Instead of the turbo button, try using setmul.exe instead.

With it set to disable L1 cache of the AMD 5x86, mine drops to a speed equivalent to somewhere around a 486 dx33.

I suspect WC4 will be too much for the 5x86. I found it 'ok', but not pleasant. WC3 was fine though.

WC4 really needs a Pentium 100+

Retronautics: A digital gallery of my retro computers, hardware and projects.

Reply 5 of 9, by pixel_workbench

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I had the same problem when I tried my AMD 5x86 system - turbo button would cause a lock up. Later I heard that this may be caused by the L1 cache being in WB mode, but I don't have the system running at this time to test it further.

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Reply 6 of 9, by megatron-uk

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appiah4 wrote on 2024-05-02, 12:15:
megatron-uk wrote on 2024-05-02, 11:43:

Instead of the turbo button, try using setmul.exe instead.

With it set to disable L1 cache of the AMD 5x86, mine drops to a speed equivalent to somewhere around a 486 dx33.

I suspect WC4 will be too much for the 5x86. I found it 'ok', but not pleasant. WC3 was fine though.

WC4 really needs a Pentium 100+

Completely agree. Whilst it does run... it's not fast enough to make the spaceflight sections enjoyable. I'd hazard a guess at a P133-166 being the sweet spot for smooth (hi-res) gameplay, ISTR running it on a Cyrix p166+ back in the actual day.

Low res might be good around a P90-120?

The Wing Commander and Strike Commander games were always envelope-pushing titles of the time.

For reference, I use the following settings with my 5x86 and the Wing Commander titles:

WC1 - setmul l1d + moslo /80
WC2 - setmul l1d
WC3 - no slowdown settings
Strike Commander - setmul l1d

With WC1 disabling L1 cache wasn't quite enough - the opening origin animation and fighter animation was still way too fast. With the addition of moslo /50 it was too slow (around the speed of my 286 25 playing it which is 'ok' but not making best use of the 486 hardware), but with moslo /75 or /80 it is just about perfect.

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Reply 7 of 9, by maw

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Thanks for the help and info everyone. Since the 5x86 will not be enough for WC4 I will just go with a DX2-66. A DX2-66 was in my first PC after switching from Amiga so the circle is closing. I have a second box with a P1-200 which will cover the rest then.

BOX#1: ASUS P5A | Pentium1 200 | 64MB PC100 | Voodoo3 AGP | AWE64 GOLD + SIMMConn| 16GB Kingspec DOM | DVD Drive | Dos 6.22 + Win98

Reply 8 of 9, by appiah4

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maw wrote on 2024-05-03, 14:22:

Thanks for the help and info everyone. Since the 5x86 will not be enough for WC4 I will just go with a DX2-66. A DX2-66 was in my first PC after switching from Amiga so the circle is closing. I have a second box with a P1-200 which will cover the rest then.

A DX2-66 on the other hand is probably not enough for an enjoyable experience of Wing Commander 3, considering the minimum requirement is a 486/50..

Retronautics: A digital gallery of my retro computers, hardware and projects.

Reply 9 of 9, by maw

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I know but since I need to play 4 & prophecy anyways on the P1 then 3 as well. And the DX2 is dedicated VGA (WC1/2, SC and adventures from the golden VGA adventure time).

BOX#1: ASUS P5A | Pentium1 200 | 64MB PC100 | Voodoo3 AGP | AWE64 GOLD + SIMMConn| 16GB Kingspec DOM | DVD Drive | Dos 6.22 + Win98