I would go with option #last. Store the redundant parts as replacements in case your PIII packs up. Build a P4 in the new case, and maybe use the graphics, sound and HDD if you don't have alternatives (until you have alternatives?)

I never like to let hardware go. Sooner or later something comes up and I'm glad to have it. E.g.: I rescued an HP Vectra Pentium II from a pile going to recycling, and just sat on it for a year. Then I found out my nephew is getting interested in retro computers, so I took the whole thing apart, cleaned it thoroughly (looks almost new!), wrapped the components in separate boxes (partly because I'm a gremlin, also because I wanted him to get the opportunity to build it himself), and then we spent Christmas day putting it together. He just got Windows 98 loaded on it last night with some help via texts. 😀 You just never know.

If you don't have BU machine already I would acquire a hardware RAID card and at least 2 large drives to use with XP/W2k as an off-line machine to keep backups on.
.

PCBONEZ wrote on 2019-12-30, 23:24:

If you don't have BU machine already I would acquire a hardware RAID card and at least 2 large drives to use with XP/W2k as an off-line machine to keep backups on.
.

These days, I recommend looking into ZFS on a more beefy build -- hold the RAID card. Hardware RAID stores data on the drives in a proprietary format. Software RAID is compatible with any drive interface, so recovery is much simpler. ZFS does require more RAM, but it's more effective at protecting your data than other RAID approaches.

S370...try putting a via c3 in it? Does it have ISA? Might be a good DOS/win95 machine.

gdjacobs wrote on 2019-12-31, 05:57:

PCBONEZ wrote on 2019-12-30, 23:24:

If you don't have BU machine already I would acquire a hardware RAID card and at least 2 large drives to use with XP/W2k as an off-line machine to keep backups on.
.

These days, I recommend looking into ZFS on a more beefy build -- hold the RAID card. Hardware RAID stores data on the drives in a proprietary format. Software RAID is compatible with any drive interface, so recovery is much simpler. ZFS does require more RAM, but it's more effective at protecting your data than other RAID approaches.

I can't quite see that on a ME-era HP Pavilion.
.

I second kolderman‘s idea, experiment with the Via C3. If it doesn’t have ISA, you can try the SB Live!‘s DOS emulation; many people say it has bad compatibility, but I haven’t actually run into any issues yet. Otherwise get a Yamaha card or an ESS Solo.

EDIT: Might also be worth it to check if the motherboard has a PC/PCI / SB-Link header, by pure chance. That way you’d have DOS sound with no TSRs or anything, ergo better compatibility.

Again - It's an HP.
HP BIOS's rarely have microcode for CPUs they don't directly support in a given system.
.

NT4? if your interested in messing around with old OS's?
2nd PC for Lan gaming, even if its just with yourself 😉

PCBONEZ wrote on 2019-12-31, 07:28:

I can't quite see that on a ME-era HP Pavilion.
.

Indeed. I'm suggesting something a little more modern for NAS. I'd probably look into doing a C3 build with a S370 era Pavilion.

The one piece of advice I can give is to definitely NEVER get rid of old hardware. This stuff is only getting harder and harder to find, and as a poster above already said, you may find a use for it some day. Even if you just store it in the attic for now, hang on to it.

Brawndo wrote on 2019-12-31, 18:54:

The one piece of advice I can give is to definitely NEVER get rid of old hardware. This stuff is only getting harder and harder to find, and as a poster above already said, you may find a use for it some day. Even if you just store it in the attic for now, hang on to it.

To a point. My old hardware storage is pushing 600 sqft now.
And that doesn't count the shop, just storage.
.

Yeah, of course. 😀 Nobody will insist that you (or anyone) keep old hardware, just don't throw it away. Put it in the hands of someone who can and will care for it and appreciate it, and not just toss it in the dump the first time the CMOS battery dies.