VOGONS


First post, by Intel486dx33

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I wan to build an Intel Pentium 233mhz computer and I want it to be period correct.

Here is what I have so far.

Parts lists:
Intel chipset socket 5 motherboard.
Cache - 512kb
CPU - Intel Pentium MMX 233
RAM - EDO 64mb
Controllers - IDE onboard
Sound card - Turtle Beach Monte Carlo ISA ( Why, Because it is different and I want to try it ).
Video card - Not sure I want to try a ( nVIDIA GeForce FX 5500 FX5500 256 MB PCI 3D Video Card Graphics 2048x1536 ) or Matrox Millennium, or Other ?
Network card - 3com 3c509.
Case AT
OS - Win95

Reply 1 of 9, by Intel486dx33

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Intel486dx33 wrote on 2020-03-27, 20:51:
I want to build an Intel Pentium 233mhz computer and I want it to be period correct. […]
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I want to build an Intel Pentium 233mhz computer and I want it to be period correct.

Here is what I have so far.

Parts lists:
Intel chipset socket 5 motherboard.
Cache - 512kb
CPU - Intel Pentium MMX 233
RAM - EDO 64mb
Controllers - IDE onboard
Sound card - Turtle Beach Monte Carlo ISA ( Why, Because it is different and I want to try it ).
Video card - Not sure I want to try a ( nVIDIA GeForce FX 5500 FX5500 256 MB PCI 3D Video Card Graphics 2048x1536 ) or Matrox Millennium, or Other ?
Network card - 3com 3c509.
Case AT
OS - Win95

Reply 2 of 9, by derSammler

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Intel486dx33 wrote on 2020-03-27, 20:51:

and I want it to be period correct.

Then your parts don't fit together at all. Also, you can't use an MMX on socket 5. You need dual-voltage socket 7 for MMX.

MMx 233 means mid-1997, so you should choose parts that were available in 1997 if you want to go period correct.

Reply 4 of 9, by aha2940

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Intel486dx33 wrote on 2020-03-27, 21:08:

Okay, What Video card do I want ?

I assembled a PC just like yours (Socket 7 motherboard, Pentium MMX 233, 64MB EDO RAM) but used a voodoo3 PCI. I know that is not period correct, but the thing can run Quake II, Half-Life and even Unreal, which seems "unreal" to me.

In your case, for period-correct hardware and according to this link: https://www.neweggbusiness.com/smartbuyer/com … ards-1981-2015/ you would go with an nVidia RIVA 128 coupled with a voodoo2. Both PCI, obviously.

Last edited by aha2940 on 2020-03-27, 21:24. Edited 1 time in total.

Reply 5 of 9, by computerguy08

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It depends on what games/ software you want to run on it. If you want true 3D, then try S3 Trio64 + 3dfx Voodoo. That should be period correct, assuming that you are building around the Socket 5 motherboard. If, however, you want to go the 1997 way with the MMX chip, you should try aha2940's suggestion above.

Reply 6 of 9, by Intel486dx33

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Yeah, I was thinking about a Riva TNT too. I have some Voodoo PCI cards but they are not working. Oh wait I have one good Voodoo-3 3ooo Evil King PCI.
Can I just use that ?

What about Riva TNT-2 ?

Which card would work best with the Voodoo PCI adapter card ?

Reply 7 of 9, by imi

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Voodoo3 and TNT2 are 1999 cards

voodoo2 is early 1998 so close enough I guess ^^

it doesn't really matter what card you get in addition to a voodoo1/2, the voodoo outputs it's own picture, but riva128 is a good fit for 1997, or any of the S3 cards 😀

Reply 8 of 9, by Intel486dx33

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derSammler wrote on 2020-03-27, 21:02:
Intel486dx33 wrote on 2020-03-27, 20:51:

and I want it to be period correct.

Then your parts don't fit together at all. Also, you can't use an MMX on socket 5. You need dual-voltage socket 7 for MMX.

MMx 233 means mid-1997, so you should choose parts that were available in 1997 if you want to go period correct.

Oops, It must be a Socket 7 motherboard then.

Reply 9 of 9, by SodaSuccubus

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derSammler wrote on 2020-03-27, 21:02:

Also, you can't use an MMX on socket 5. You need dual-voltage socket 7 for MMX.

You can if you manage to find a Pentium Overdrive MMX. They exist in both 160 and 200mhz variations.
Although its not worth it IMO. I have one i used for a while on a Compaq socket 5 machine, and the terribly slow S5 board crippled the MMX. Especally for win95+Voodoo gaming.

Their neat little collectables though.
---

Honestly, for a 1997 era MMX machine, i'd personally stick a Voodoo 1 and a AWE32 in there. Add any S3 Trio based card for the excellent compatibility. Top the rig up with 32 megs of ram (or 64 if you wanna go super ideal-world 97' 😜) and have a good time!

I would agree with an above poster though, that if you don't mind stretching the time period a little bit, add a Voodoo 2 instead.

V2+MMX 233makes a great flex win95/dos powerhouse! I had that config before i moved to a P3 and it was lots of fun 😁