That is a nice build OP. Similar to my own:
I use a K6-3+ CPU OCd to 550Mhz, 256MB of ram, and an Aopen AX59-PRO mainboard. Until recently I used a Riva TNT2 PRO, but since I started playing at 1600x1200 I switched to my Leadtek Geforce 2 GTS.
Regarding sound - I use a YMF744 DS-XG for windows 98 - mostly because I play quite a few DOS games under windows 98 dosbox, and those have MIDI music. For pure DOS I use a GUS Clone - Primax Soundstorm M16C. The GUS only runs in DOS, and since it' non-pnp it doesn't show up in windows at all as long as you don't install drivers. The Yamaha card requires a TSR to work in dos, so as long as it's not loaded, all DMA and IRQs are available for the GUS. The only place they bump heads under both OSes is the address - the GUS uses 240h while the yamaha uses 220h.
Regarding the yellowing - you can try retro-bright - strong peroxide solution or cream (at least 15% concentration, 20% or more preferred) + direct sunlight or UV lamp. I find myself liking yellowing more and more, since it shows the machines age and gives it character, so as long as it's relatively uniform and I have bay covers of similar yellowing I don't mess with this "retro plastic patina".
squareguy wrote:I dont use the Aureal for midi at all. I use it to selct which midi I want in a DOS Box / Window. I mostly use Yamaha DX-XG myself.
I use a vortex 2 in my tualatin build and I love it. Wouldn't put it in anything slower tough.