Congrats on the board, should make for a fun build!

If you're going for a period correct build, then DOS 5.0 would be the appropriate OS for the time (i.e. 1991-1992).

For RAM, 8MB is probably the most practical (at least for gaming). Links 386 can use up to 8MB, but most games will use less. IIRC, a typical cache would have been 32kb or 64kb, so if you already have that, you should be fine. If it could support 128kb, you could look into upgrading, though it's not clear what the maximum this particular board supports. Retroweb unfortunately doesn't appear to have any documentation for this specific board.

For audio, a Sound Blaster Pro is an appropriate sound card for that era. Another option would be a Pro Audio Spectrum, although those tend to be rare and pricey.

Just a note about sound blasters of the era is they tend to be on the noisy side. If you're after an authentic retro experience, then noise will be part of it. But on the other hand, if you want something with cleaner output, there are later SB Pro compatible cards to consider instead (e.g. Yamaha Audician 32).

Were you planning on also installing the Roland LAPC-I? It would make a good pairing with whatever sound card you choose.

I would even believe that 64k of cache could've been kinda normal on a 386 ..

H3nrik V! wrote on 2024-09-01, 15:44:

I would even believe that 64k of cache could've been kinda normal on a 386 ..

True, looking up that specific chipset it looks like a lot of boards had 64kb cache. Unfortunately Retroweb has no manual for this specific ASUS board, so not sure what it would have supported. Though the two other ASUS boards with the same chipset do state they support 64kb cache.

hmm pro Audio Spectrum, never had one. Would be interesting..
Yes im thinking about add the LAPC-I, and put the MPU-401AT back into my 486.
The board has 64kb cache.

What about I/O and storage, any parts laying around?
Platters or solid state preference?
Case? PSU? 😀

i have a isa I/O card. But also a xtide.
Is the scsi interface from the pro Audio spectrum good for a scsci cd drive?

Here are the Specs of my 386 computer.

Intel 386 CPU with Math-coprocessor
Motherboard with 64kb cache ( 256kb of cache if you can find one )
ET4000 ISA video card ( 2mb )
ISA controller
ISA Yamaha OPL3 sound card with a Dream blaster S2GS
CDROM IDE 40-pin 4x or faster
Compact Flash for Hard drive ( Highly Recommended )
Floppy drives or Go-tech drive

Would be a et4000 not to much for a 386? It should be for max 1991 games, and best compatible with before 91.
I also found a CT1600 really cheap (50€). So i would go with it.

ET4000AX would be perfect, cards with this chip began shipping at the end of 1989.
Even ET4000/W32 and later are fine, they're from 1992.

CT1600 has maybe the best compatibility and real OPL3. Maybe a bit noisy in terms of SNR, but as long as you install the card in the bottom ISA slot it will pick-up the least distortion from other parts.

ET4000AX is a good choice. It's one of the fastest ISA video cards for DOS.

I compared an ET4000AX (Diamond SpreedStar VGA) to the WD90C31 chip (Diamond SpeedStar 24x), and the ET4000AX card was about 5% faster in benchmarks.

I think the Dreamblaster X2GS with real instruments sound is way better than the Yamaha OPL3 MIDI synthesis sound.

- Waveblaster compatible connector for use on soundcards (such as Soundblaster 16, Audician 32, ESS AudioDrive, Aureal Vortex 2,...)

DreamBlaster X2GS SE features a preloaded officially licensed, read only 16mbyte GS bank.
Additionally it supports an updatable user bank (up to 48mbyte). This user bank is preloaded with Buran 1.1 bank.

X2GS BANK INFORMATION :
Full GM/GS implementation
128 GM instruments
180 variation instruments
More than 200 drum sounds in 15 drum sets + 1 SFX set
All samples are in 16bit quality
Official Dream/Roland License

Link:
https://www.serdashop.com/X2GS-SE

Got the Board today, what a beauty! But its a DX-40 not 33!
First look on the board, its in great condition nothing broken or bend. But i also have now 386 questions.

About the external battery, the case can hold up to 2 coins, one cr2032 is installed. What are the second for?
The DX40 has a 80Mhz osc, what the second place for ? For the FPU? So do i need another 80Mhz one for the FPU?
What FPU should i use? I know its not really used for games, but i like to add one..

I also read about misterBios, should i change the bios?

edit: i see 66M on the OSCB, so i gues its for the dx33 ..

Jackhead wrote on 2024-09-03, 11:43:

About the external battery, the case can hold up to 2 coins, one cr2032 is installed. What are the second for?

Open up the case, but I think you can place two batteries in parallel for longevity sake. One is enough though.

The DX40 has a 80Mhz osc, what the second place for ? For the FPU? So do i need another 80Mhz one for the FPU?

Hint; look at JP3. 😉

What FPU should i use? I know its not really used for games, but i like to add one..

Since there aren't AMD 387 processors, I would look for a Cyrix Fasmath. Or an Intel 387, but then you need a 66MHz cyristal as well. And remove the semi-permanent jumper and put it in Async mode.

I also read about misterBios, should i change the bios?

For fun yes. For normal operation no.

Since there aren't AMD 387 processors, I would look for a Cyrix Fasmath. Or an Intel 387, but then you need a 66MHz cyristal as well. And remove the semi-permanent jumper and put it in Async mode.

Ok, so if i found a 387-40 i can just add it and dont need more modification?
Is it also so simple that i can push in a 66MHz OSC and my cpu runs at 33 mhz?

Jackhead wrote on 2024-09-03, 13:43:

Since there aren't AMD 387 processors, I would look for a Cyrix Fasmath. Or an Intel 387, but then you need a 66MHz cyristal as well. And remove the semi-permanent jumper and put it in Async mode.

Ok, so if i found a 387-40 i can just add it and dont need more modification?
Is it also so simple that i can push in a 66MHz OSC and my cpu runs at 33 mhz?

2x correct 😀

There has been some new ULSI 3c87 FPU going for reasonable money on fleabay. If you benchmark those on science and actual mathematics oriented benchmarks, they only perform in the top half, but if you benchmark them in games, they do well, even being best in some instances (It's that whole optimizing common instructions at the expense of less commonly used instructions thing). However, most of the '92 up games that can use an FPU still play very very slowly on a 386, so it's only for bragging rights, realistically, even DX2/66 are too slow to have a smooth experience on those games.

thanks for the infos guys!
so for the ISA slots my plan is now:

voltage blaster for -5v
Adaptec 1542CF for scsi cd and floppys
XTIDE for 4gb CF
CT1600
ET4000AX
LAPC-I

Noticed that the top ISA slot is slightly offset on this board.

Does it function as a normal ISA slot or is it something proprietary? I suppose if it's a normal ISA slot it would be a good place to install the Voltage Blaster.

i think its not isa, its for a ram expansion board.
Putting in the voltage blaster is maybe not a good idea 😀

I also found a really rare cd drive i love to use with the build. A Sony CDU920S. Its a master burner caddy drive single speed SCSI. Fun fact it was also used to make master discs for the Playstation development. I have the external one the CDU921S. I didn't even know this existed as internal drive as well.. It can also burn gold discs for mastering. A really cool drive you dont see often..