First post, by pewpewpew
- Rank
- Oldbie
This build is for the games that XP doesn't like to play. I've paused to make three installs to compare raw 98SE with Unofficial SP 2.1a and Unofficial SP 3.35.
I've used Phil's awesome-easy-benchmarking package.
Phil's Ultimate VGA Benchmark Database Project
==HDD 1==
=RAW=
3DB 5144
PCP 441.8
DOOM 2134/593
QUAKE 969 frames 3.6 seconds 269.7 fps
==HDD 2==
=RAW=
3DB 5144
PCP 441.8
DOOM 2134/590
QUAKE 969 frames 3.6 seconds 269.2 fps
=2.1a=
3DB 5144
PCP 441.8
DOOM 2134/592
QUAKE 969 frames 3.6 seconds 268.1 fps
==HDD 3==
=RAW=
3DB 5144
PCP 440.4
DOOM 2134/593
QUAKE 969 frames 3.6 seconds 269.3 fps
=3.35=
3DB 5144
PCP 444.0
DOOM 2134/598
QUAKE 969 frames 3.6 seconds 269.1 fps
General comment - USP 3.35 offers a large set of packages to make 98se a contemporary full-service computer. I only installed a handful since I want a gamebox. USP 2.1a offers much less, and is more oriented to what I'd care to add.
Feel free to sidetrack the thread with build advice. 98SE was my daily box for years, but everything I used to do was meant to make it as fast & modern as possible. Optimizing for DirectX 7 is new territory.
In advance: I'm using the FX5200 is because it's the FX I have. All my faster AGP are ATI. I know it's a resounding stinker, but I think it ought to be more than adequate for this build, no? I also have MX440SE and MX400 if those have an advantage I've missed.
A7N8X Deluxe rev2.00, original driver CD 2003
nForce2 Ultra 400, nForce2 MCP-T, final BIOS 1008 2004
Athlon XP 2500+ 2003
2x256MB PC3200 DDR400
Asus V9520MAGIC/T FX5200, Nvidia driver 45.23 2003
SB Live Value CT4830, original driver CD 1999 *
DirectX 7.0a 1999
* in the excitement I lost count and forgot to install the SB Live drivers.
Must say I am not enamoured with how this box is taking to 98SE. Bit of a pig-wrestle, especially to get USB flash sticks recognized. And it takes several minutes too long to boot. Right now I'm leaning towards installing on the old A7V133 to compare before continuing.