Some things i feel we need to be able to compromise, like PSU units. if you can't solder, a modern good quality PSU is a necessary investment.
I love HDD noise. Don't understand wanting to do single core computing without it.
The only thing that annoyed me noise wise, was when CD-ROMS exceeded 24x and they spin at max rpm all the time. Thats mainly because it was loud enough to drown out the speakers unless I cranked them up loud enough to anger the rest of the house.
I'm not dead crazy about period correctness, but i think we build PCshere, on average, that run far better than they ever did originally.
I try to run ram levels that are roughly period correct. A 233mhz P2 with 512mb of ram never happened unless you were Richie Rich.
64-128mb was much more likely.
Hdd churning of swap files was a huge part of computing, and while it would be more correct to be short on ram and let it churn, it's very abusive on the equipment. There's a sweet spot I try to find.
I don't run a TSR virus scan on mine either, and their drag on a system was significant, IMO.
I don't put anything on a retro PC that I don't have backed up, or can't afford to lose.
I like CRTs but they take up a lot of real estate. I have multiple monitors soni can run more than one at a time, but a kvm is definitely on my list. LCDs aren't a deal breaker at all.
Ethernet is something I try to build in, if it isn't built in. its a dream of mine to build a vast network of simultaneous PCs all together. I have a big switch, so it's possible with enough time.
Searching for Epson Actiontower 3000 486 PC.