VOGONS

Ultimate DOS/98/XP Machine with Socket 775 Core 2 Duo

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First post, by Shiftyy

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I am building an ultimate DOS/98/XP machine unlike any that has been done before (afaik).

The plan is to cover games from the late 80s up to the mid-late 2000s.

In one example, the machine can play CoD4 at very playable framerates. I recently participated in a LAN event with the settings almost at max but running 1024x768 resolution. The system performed at a stable 100+ FPS, and was usually locked at the 125 FPS cap most of the time.

It is a work in progress.

Case: Gateway LP Mini Tower TB3 Performance 750
Motherboard: ANOVO AIMB-865 Revision v1.02
CPU: Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 @ 3.2Ghz (800 FSB)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake ISGC-400
PSU: Antec TruePower 2.0 430W (Recapped)
FDD: Gotek USB Floppy Emulator (SFRM44-U100LQD-435)
Memory: Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR 400 Dual Channel Model 991434 (2-3-2-5)
SSD #1: 128GB Generic SSD for DOS & Win98
SSD #2: 256GB Generic SSD for WinXP
GPU #1: Sapphire Radeon HD 3850 512MB GDDR3 AGP + AGPSX4-V Extender from ADEX Electrontics
GPU #2: 3D Fuzion GeForce FX 5500 256MB DDR PCI 3DFR55256P Overclocked to 300Mhz GPU 450Mhz Memory
Sound Card #1: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS PCI (SB0350)
Sound Card #2: Gravis Ultrasound Classic ISA (Rev 3.74)
Sound Card #3: Creative Sound Blaster AWE32 ISA (CT3900)
Sound Card #4: PCMIDI MPU-401 ISA
WaveTable #1: DreamBlaster X2GS SE (Connected via AWE32)
WaveTable #2: WP32 McCake (Connected via PCMIDI MPU-401)
Bootloader: GRUB4DOS
OS #1: DOS 6.22
OS #2: Windows 98 SE
OS #3: Windows XP SP3
Monitor: Dell UltraScan P1100 21" CRT Overclocked to 135Khz Horizontal Refresh
Keyboard: FILCO Majestouch 3 FKBN104M/EMB3-AKP Cherry MX Brown N Key Rollover (Connected via USB>PS2 adapter)
Mouse #1: Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse
Mouse #2: Microsoft IntelliMouse Optical 1.1A Black (Connected via USB>PS2 adapter)
Speakers: Roland Cakewalk MA-15D Black

Planned changes/improvements:
Two Voodoo 2s in SLI
Noctua NH-C14S CPU cooler
Overclock x6800 to 4Ghz or above (Requires volt mod)
ThrottleBlaster implementation to support speed sensitive DOS games
Upgrade/swap HD 3850 cooler to HD 3870 cooler
PicoIDE to replace one of the CD drives
2GB > 4GB RAM (Maybe)

Last edited by Shiftyy on 2026-07-12, 08:02. Edited 6 times in total.

Reply 1 of 7, by Shiftyy

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I am utilizing the Gravis Ultrasound's ISA expansion pins to add an additional ISA slot since I need three and the motherboard only has two.

This is a proof of concept to confirm that everything works as intended (It does). I have a custom circuit board and cable on the way to make the install much neater and less janky.

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Last edited by Shiftyy on 2026-07-12, 07:55. Edited 1 time in total.

Reply 2 of 7, by Shiftyy

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Here is the CPU cooler I will be upgrading to that will hopefully allow me to achieve a 4Ghz+ overclock at decent temps.

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I plan to perform this VID/Volt mod on the x6800 CPU to increase the voltage from 1.325 to 1.45. It will require conductive paint and kapton tape.

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Last edited by Shiftyy on 2026-07-12, 08:14. Edited 4 times in total.

Reply 3 of 7, by Shiftyy

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Here is the heart and soul of the build. ANOVO AIMB-865 v1.2. It supports Core 2 Duo and ISA DMA. It is a very unique motherboard.

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I have performed a BSEL modification which forces the CPU to run at 200 FSB instead of 100 FSB, which is required due to a flaw with the motherboard.

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Another flaw with this motherboard is the memory slots are located directly in-front of the AGP slot. An AGP extender/riser is required if you want to insert a long AGP card.

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Last edited by Shiftyy on 2026-07-12, 08:27. Edited 3 times in total.

Reply 4 of 7, by Shiftyy

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I originally had a 21" Gateway Vivitron 1100 CRT monitor and wanted to pair it with a Gateway case, which is the reason for choosing the LP Mini Tower TB3 Performance 750.

Unfortunately that monitor died whilst building this PC, but I have stuck with the case because I love the looks and it gives a retro vibe.

The case has a permanent rear IO backplate/shield and requires a proprietary power supply, so some modifications with a dremel was required.

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Last edited by Shiftyy on 2026-07-12, 08:28. Edited 4 times in total.

Reply 5 of 7, by Shiftyy

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Reply 6 of 7, by Mao

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Thanks for sharing your project and your future plans. I could benefit from your ideas!

Reply 7 of 7, by RetroPCCupboard

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That motherboard containly seems like a bit of a unicorn. Interesting build.

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