VOGONS


First post, by batmreload

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Sadly sold my last Win98se setup, looking to build another, and I'm thinking about what might suit the project best.

I'm aiming for the best DOS/WfW compatibility, but I'll probably be spending most of the time in Win98se. (Yes, I know, a contradiction) Another goal is
building it on a open frame and making it as quiet as possible (So overdoing the CPU heatsink and going with a quieter, but less CFM fan)

I've had Pentium 233 systems/K6-2/500 systems and Pentium 2/3 440bx systems, but I'm still trying to find the best "happy medium" between dos compatiability and speed.

For instance, on a former 486, I could load my dos BBS in a Win 3.11 window no prolbem. But with a 440bx system and a Voodoo 3, it was a no-go.
Sometimes Desqview would load on the 440bx system and work, sometimes, it would not.

I'm probably switching out the Voodoo 3 because I'm not really aiming for 3d gaming (Only played Q3 arena back in the day,
and the Carmageddon 3dfx, but there's newer options now)

Looking at getting a RIVA tnt2 DVI so as to have good dos build game compatibility and have no problems connecting to my
HDMI/USB kvm. IIRC, the Alladin did fine with a USB KB/mouse.

Will be using:
1: Either a silicon image sil3114 or a Promise PCI sata controller with 32gb ssd,
2: VIA usb 2.0 controller
3: 1g network
4: ISA SB16/ Awe32
5: Riva tnt2 M64 32mb AGP

Also, I'm curious: How is everyone handling the windows 98se swap file on an SSD? I've tried both using a large amount
of ram and a ramdisk (Not really stable) or just letting it swap on the ssd (Killed a IDE disk on module)

Thoughts?

Reply 1 of 1, by Shponglefan

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batmreload wrote on 2026-04-28, 22:54:

I've had Pentium 233 systems/K6-2/500 systems and Pentium 2/3 440bx systems, but I'm still trying to find the best "happy medium" between dos compatiability and speed.

Just in my own experience, an industrial Pentium 4 setup basically solves this issue. It combines enough performance for early Windows XP era, while being throttle-able enough for late 80's to early 90's DOS.

The caveat is that it requires more esoteric hardware and configuration.

Pentium 4 Multi-OS Build
486 DX4-100 with 6 sound cards
486 DX-33 with 5 sound cards