Unrealcpu wrote on 2020-10-19, 20:51:So i have a 486DX 100
K6-2 /K6-3 450mhz processors […]
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So i have a 486DX 100
K6-2 /K6-3 450mhz processors
P233mhz
but not sure if I should build them all or just build one pc for each era? It would seem I need a 386DX 40 to play some games that are speed sensitive without having to mess with setmul or finding a mobo to disable cache.
I heard t here is a program out there that disables caches but sometimes locks out of the os.
Also should i be using win98se or the latest DOS? Basically boot in pure dos mode?
Hello, I give my opinion.
Unless you are not hardware/computer maniac, build only one retro computer. The best one is the one, that covers very wide range of speeds.
For me, number one is Slot 1 Pentium II/III system.
Here are advantages:
-Can be very fast, and very fast as win98 gaming machine (Maximum speed is overclocked Tualatin Pentium III, up to 1.5 - 1.7 Ghz, that holds up all games up to 2003)
-Can be very slow (Switch for Pentium II with downwards unlocked multiplier, and you can downclock it to 66 x 2 = 133 Mhz, and even disable Cache L2. So you can make basicaly Celeron Covington 133 Mhz speed, which should equal about Pentium MMX at 133 Mhz.)
-It's fast enough to use Dosbox for speed sensitive games, because they need up to 486 performance, and Dosbox on Tualatin 1.4 Ghz can handle that speeds.
-It still has usually at least one ISA slot, so you can use ISA. It also has very often SBLINK connector for PCI sound card.
-Best is BX chipset, but you can go with VIA Apollo 133A, they have usually built in integrated sound, with soundblaster emulation. So you have 4 possible sound setups for DOS, if one fail (ISA soundblaster card, DOSBOX emulator, PCI soundcard with SBLink and integrated soundcard with soundblaster emulation)
-You have Universal AGP slot
Another versatile platform, that is number two, is supersocket7 AMD k6-2/3. The only advantage is basicaly, you can set multiplier on the fly, with AMD k6-2/3 + processors. All others are disadvantages from PII/PIII system. (not good AGP slot, AGP 1x, usually less PCI slots, only 1/4 maximum obtainable speed, not so good chipsets (early VIA chipsets were problematic... I remember, my supersocket 7 AMD k6-2 with VIA chipset was worst chipset we had, lots of stability issues, compatibility problems... then we had VIA KT333, (on same powersupply), at it was basicaly without problems.... all weird kind of problems disapeared. I remember , win98 on AMD k6-2 500 was most problematic platform i ever had, so many random freezes, bsod and exits from games, etc... it all disappeared moving to Socket A platform and KT333 chipset)
So for me, pick only one (best is slot1 Pentium III), only if you are complete maniac, hardware, or enthusiats that want to have real nostalgic feel, and play it on period correct hardware, pick more platforms. They also take space, and are expensive...
And windowsxp era computer is not needed. For early windows xp games, you are still good with Pentium III tualatin. And for later one, you can always use windows 7/windows 10 combo on primary system, and make the games run somehow. They usually got patches&tweaks, how to run them... all from Doom3, Half-Life 2, FarCry is runable on primary machine. They don't need retro computer.
So that's answer. To have more builds for retro computer, is nice playing around, it's more nerdy, and it can bring better joy, and nostalgia feeling, but it's for a price. Both $$$ and eating up the space. It's good only if you like to play with hardware like with lego, rebuild systems, and have mini-test lab at home.