Living wrote on 2026-04-07, 08:31:

that's more or less my case […]
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MattRocks wrote on 2026-04-04, 22:39:

My PC story continued with the next real Cat 1 being an Athlon64 associated with real memories, whereas the real Cat 3 repair provided by the AthlonXP is sadder and quieter and more personal.

that's more or less my case

Back in July 1999, my dad had to sell my very 1st computer (an AMD 486 DX-4 100) to pay the rent. I found out when i was back from high school. I loved that computer and is what got me in this and my IT job.

I went without a computer for 6 months until i built a Pentium MMX 166Mhz from used parts of an upgrade for a client, that very same pc evolved to the actual Ryzen 5800XT

Luckily, we had a very good relationship with that client and when he passed away in 2009, i got a call from his wife asking if i wanted that computer (it was almost the same computer i had parted ways with 10 years before). Picked the damn thing and i had a moment of silence in my car while in disbelief of what was happening. Pic of that day:

That computer sat as is for a year until i decided to adress some problems from age and upgraded the parts to a k6-2 + voodoo 3, task that took another 10 years as i was constantly thinkering with that pc and was a passive project, changing parts as they came in from upgrades or discarded pcs. In a sense that is the most personal computer i have, the one that upgraded to my dream pc from back in the day and likely will stay that way forever. Its a time capsule of the golden age of pc gaming and a sad reminder of the economic limitations we had to overcome.

As for other retro parts, they come and go, i get them more for curiosity, not to do something meaningful with them

I have a nagging sense that the exit of my Duron might be similar - my dad passed away between then and now so I won't be able to confirm.

appiah4 wrote on 2026-04-07, 09:12:

The Cx5x86 runs DOS and has a PCI Riva128, LABS MK8330+PCMIDI MPC010 with a Serdaco WP32 McCake on top as well as a PicoGUS, so it basically covers everything DOS related.
The Dual P3-1000 runs Win 98SE and 2000Pro and has a Abit Ti-4200 AGP, a Diamond MX300 for Win98 SE and a Terratec DMX XFire 1024 for Win2000Pro, and I am considering adding a Voodoo 2 to it for early Glide games (Because Voodoo 1s don't work too well at 500+ MHz speeds).

Nice combinations of hardware in those builds. Voodoo 2 would be a good addition. Maybe even SLI, as your processor is more than enough to feed that

RetroPCCupboard wrote on 2026-04-06, 16:19:

Another option is K62+/K63+. Those can have their multiplier changed on the fly with setmul.

That's true. I've been meaning to do a K6-3+ build forever. Plus a Via C3 build, since I've read the latter are also quite versatile at throttling.

For me its more about being authentic. I want to use a machine which the game/software was intended for. Ofc some games do require a faster machine than what was available at release to fully enjoy it,but I see that as more of an exception.

So that is why I have an Olivetti M28 for XT/286 games. I have two 386's for games suited for that platform and I have alot more machines all the way up to a Pentium 4 dual Win98SE/XP build. Lately I have more oriented back into OEM systems as I find those more authentic and I like the quirkiness that comes with for instance using a PS/2 MCA system. I have the space for them, so it's a luxury I can afford.

Shponglefan wrote on 2026-04-07, 12:37:

That's true. I've been meaning to do a K6-3+ build forever. Plus a Via C3 build, since I've read the latter are also quite versatile at throttling.

Me too, but sellers seem to know that these CPUs are collectable. So they charge accordingly.

MattRocks wrote on 2026-04-07, 09:13:

Q. Has the price of 1980s computers increased or decreased this year?

No idea to be honest. But in general prices of retro stuff have gone up significantly during last few years from what I have heard.

MattRocks wrote on 2026-04-07, 09:13:

Mike_ wrote on 2026-04-07, 06:58:

appiah4 wrote on 2026-04-07, 06:25:

I've come to the point where my Cx5x86-120 and Dual P3-1000 PCs are the only two retro computers I actually really need.. An entire storage full of PCs and parts is just staring me in the face wondering what I'll do with them eventually..

Sell them on eBay when prices have gone up even more? 😀

Q. Has the price of 1980s computers increased or decreased this year?

IDK really, but from what I have seen I would say prices are "calming". There was a lot of spiky high dollar asks, probably unsupported by actual sales, and prices I have been seeing have been more reasonable. But on the flipside, not many attic clearance low dollar bargains with that either. Gen Z seem to be taking more interest in retro gear of various kinds than you would think likely, but few of them have much money to spend on it.

Mike_ wrote on 2026-04-07, 15:30:

MattRocks wrote on 2026-04-07, 09:13:

Q. Has the price of 1980s computers increased or decreased this year?

No idea to be honest. But in general prices of retro stuff have gone up significantly during last few years from what I have heard.

It's like collectable card games. The more boxes we open the more common stuff we have, and the rare stuff stays rare.

It's all about what you personally are nostalgic for? No doubt each generation improved performance and generally made things simpler for users. I think 286/386 systems will always fetch a premium because so many motherboards were lost to Dallas style batteries leaking and were simply discarded rather than repaired. Many 8086/8088 clones are immune to this because they simply didnt have a CMOS battery, and late 486/Pentiums survived because of the switch to CR32 style batteries.

Hmm, the 3.6v nicad barrel "varta" (and other brand) rechargeable batteries leak. The Dallas modules just have a lithium battery that depletes after 7-20 years.

BitWrangler wrote on 2026-04-08, 12:22:

Hmm, the 3.6v nicad barrel "varta" (and other brand) rechargeable batteries leak. The Dallas modules just have a lithium battery that depletes after 7-20 years.

Ah thanks for correction.

MattRocks wrote on 2026-04-08, 09:12:

It's like collectable card games. The more boxes we open the more common stuff we have, and the rare stuff stays rare.

I love that analogy! Each old PC is like a shiny pack of Pokémon. Except you can kind of cheat a bit by looking at the outside of the case.
Finally a way to explain to my 14 year old what I'm up to!

A flexible 486 can do a lot in the DOS era, though not quite everything the right Pentium can. You do need flexible designs that can slow down, either way. And the thing is that one system never does everything. You can only use so many graphics cards and sound cards in one. What about Win 3.1x, Win9x, late Win9x? Maybe you want a CRT monitor for some era of games, vintage controllers, etc.

firage wrote on 2026-04-08, 17:56:

You do need flexible designs that can slow down, either way. And the thing is that one system never does everything. You can only use so many graphics cards and sound cards in one. What about Win 3.1x, Win9x, late Win9x? Maybe you want a CRT monitor for some era of games, vintage controllers, etc.

While it's true that there is no single system that can do absolutely everything, there are certain platforms that offer more flexibility than others, including covering 486 era to late 9x.

It comes down to specific combinations of hardware and trying to maximize compatibility as much as possible.

firage wrote on 2026-04-08, 17:56:

A flexible 486 can do a lot in the DOS era, though not quite everything the right Pentium can. You do need flexible designs that can slow down, either way. And the thing is that one system never does everything. You can only use so many graphics cards and sound cards in one. What about Win 3.1x, Win9x, late Win9x? Maybe you want a CRT monitor for some era of games, vintage controllers, etc.

True, but in order to achieve this I built 6 different PCs, only 2 of which I actually have the room to use at one time, have a very significant overlap and only differentiate from each other in very fringe aspects. At the end of the day, if you want to be thorough, yes, by all means do this. I've done this, and found very little benefit and a lot of frustration while trying to store, shuffle and service each of them. It became less of a fun hobby and more of a chore, so I am considering downsizing to two.

And really, what exactly does a Pentium PC do that a Pentium III can't? The Pentium is such a lame processor, everything it can do can be done by everything that came after it. It has absolutely nothing exclusive to it, especially from a gaming point of view. I really think that a fast 486 and a Pentium III is enough to cover 99% of your retro computing needs..

I really think that a fast 486 and a Pentium III is enough to cover 99% of your retro computing needs

Ok - but what can a fast 486 do that a P3 cant do (or why not replace your fast 486 with a 386DX33 with a turbo button ?
(I could play this game forever ... 😉 )

Aui wrote on 2026-04-09, 07:45:

I really think that a fast 486 and a Pentium III is enough to cover 99% of your retro computing needs

Ok - but what can a fast 486 do that a P3 cant do (or why not replace your fast 486 with a 386DX33 with a turbo button ?
(I could play this game forever ... 😉 )

There are a lot of speed sensitive games that target 486 speeds (Ultima VII, Theme Park, etc.) but there is very little that specifically is speed sensitive for a pentium. The 486 can also easily drop down to 386 and 286 speeds for games that require such processors as well. It does pretty much everything I want it to do in DOS. That of course, is my take. Feel free to disagree 😀

appiah4 wrote on 2026-04-09, 08:45:

Aui wrote on 2026-04-09, 07:45:

I really think that a fast 486 and a Pentium III is enough to cover 99% of your retro computing needs

Ok - but what can a fast 486 do that a P3 cant do (or why not replace your fast 486 with a 386DX33 with a turbo button ?
(I could play this game forever ... 😉 )

There are a lot of speed sensitive games that target 486 speeds (Ultima VII, Theme Park, etc.) but there is very little that specifically is speed sensitive for a pentium. The 486 can also easily drop down to 386 and 286 speeds for games that require such processors as well. It does pretty much everything I want it to do in DOS. That of course, is my take. Feel free to disagree 😀

https://www.vogonswiki.com/index.php/List_of_ … sensitive_games

Well according to the vogons wiki there are some windows games that don't like speeds higher than 200mhz.
And so you'd have to go out of your way to patch them or find workarounds.

AppleSauce wrote on 2026-04-09, 09:14:

https://www.vogonswiki.com/index.php/List_of_ … sensitive_games […]
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appiah4 wrote on 2026-04-09, 08:45:

Aui wrote on 2026-04-09, 07:45:

Ok - but what can a fast 486 do that a P3 cant do (or why not replace your fast 486 with a 386DX33 with a turbo button ?
(I could play this game forever ... 😉 )

There are a lot of speed sensitive games that target 486 speeds (Ultima VII, Theme Park, etc.) but there is very little that specifically is speed sensitive for a pentium. The 486 can also easily drop down to 386 and 286 speeds for games that require such processors as well. It does pretty much everything I want it to do in DOS. That of course, is my take. Feel free to disagree 😀

https://www.vogonswiki.com/index.php/List_of_ … sensitive_games

Well according to the vogons wiki there are some windows games that don't like speeds higher than 200mhz.
And so you'd have to go out of your way to patch them or find workarounds.

The attachment Screenshot 2026-04-09 191027.png is no longer available

The table does not say that, and some of those games are unplayably slow on a 200MHz CPU.

appiah4 wrote on 2026-04-09, 07:37:

True, but in order to achieve this I built 6 different PCs, only 2 of which I actually have the room to use at one time, have a very significant overlap and only differentiate from each other in very fringe aspects. At the end of the day, if you want to be thorough, yes, by all means do this. I've done this, and found very little benefit and a lot of frustration while trying to store, shuffle and service each of them. It became less of a fun hobby and more of a chore, so I am considering downsizing to two.

I understand this viewpoint. You are correct that most DOS / Win9X games will probably work on just a couple of machines, and there certainly will be a lot of overlap if you choose to build based on CPU or GPU generation.

If you are willing to accept a few games that don't work, or don't look their best, and you aren't bothered about a period-accurate experience, then its a completely sensible approach.

appiah4 wrote on 2026-04-09, 07:37:

And really, what exactly does a Pentium PC do that a Pentium III can't? The Pentium is such a lame processor, everything it can do can be done by everything that came after it. It has absolutely nothing exclusive to it, especially from a gaming point of view.

Well, for one thing, a Voodoo 1 probably won't work on a PIII. Most games can be made to run on a Voodoo 2 though. But not quite all.

For me, it is more about the GPU than the CPU. Some games are very picky on GPU or driver versions. Midtown Madness, Interstate 76, Klingon Honor Guard, Alien vs Predator, Heavy Gear, POD, Motorhead. Probably others that I am not recalling right now.

appiah4 wrote on 2026-04-09, 07:37:

I really think that a fast 486 and a Pentium III is enough to cover 99% of your retro computing needs..

I can't say that you are wrong. Though the direction I have gone in is more to your original plan. In my case 8 PCs rather than 6. From XT-class up to Pentum III 1.4Ghz and Geforce 2.

I too don't have the space to have multiple desks set up. So my solution is basically to put them all in a cupboard. It is about the width of a typical server rack. I use a Belkin KVM to allow them all to share a single keyboard and mouse, and an 8 channel mixer to allow them all to use the same speakers.