VOGONS


First post, by biessea

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Hi there,
yesterday a friend of mine gave me an old computer that he had at home, he contacted me cause he would threw on the garbage.

Obviously I stopped him from making this big mistake, and so he gave it to me.

Nice surprise for me when I opened it! A Super 7 platform was waiting for me! WOW!

And on the bundle it was a nice DIN keyboard and a serial Dexxa mouse with three buttons! NICE!

And last but not least, the monitor! A CRT that I owned about twenty years ago, a great Viewsonic 14" CRT model 6E. WOW, IMPRESSIVE!

So I tried to power on and with my big surprise all worked from the first second, wow. Hard disk loaded Windows 98, all fine. I had now words, I llllllove to see these systems working after years and years. Obviously the battery I had to replace to, cause the 2032 it was completely died.

I added some more RAM (this board has PC100 RAM, three slots) because only 64MB of RAM wasn't so good for me. So I add a 128MB module and a 64MB module, to obtain regularly 256MB of PC100 RAM. Nice.
The CPU is an AMD K6-2 300MHZ, I think a good processors. I put a bigger heatsink on it, with thermal paste re-applied, so tomorrow I will begin with the overclock.
For the motherboard I find some difficulties to find the exacty model, but reading here and somewhere I found that I have a Chaintech 5agm2-d150. I found the manual for the 5AGM model but mine was a little bit different for the jumper settings. No one have the d150 version manual?
For the video card there is a nice Matrox G200 on the slot AGP. Working flawlessy.
Audio card I have a Sound Blaster 16, the big version Ct2910. True OPL3. fabulous. Anyway I think it has some problems, cause If I play a sound from Windows it can plays only about one second of the sound then interrupt. I don't know why, anyway tomorrow I will format and reinstall all, perhaps this computer simply need a refresh.
And then the overclock!!!
A nice floppy disc, a slot-in CD ROM driver completed the "opera".

So, what do you think about this system that I found in a lucky-way???

I put some photos here, so you can see and be happy about that!

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Computer lover since 1992.
Love retro-computing, retro-gaming, high-end systems and all about computer-tech.
Love beer, too.

Reply 2 of 18, by Joseph_Joestar

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biessea wrote on 2021-04-03, 23:12:

I added some more RAM (this board has PC100 RAM, three slots) because only 64MB of RAM wasn't so good for me. So I add a 128MB module and a 64MB module, to obtain regularly 256MB of PC100 RAM.

Be careful with that, as your system might not be able to cache all that RAM. Using more RAM than can be cached may result in lower performance. Generally, it's safest to stick to 128 MB or below, unless you have a K6-2+ or a K6-3+ CPU.

Very nice build otherwise.

PC#1: Pentium MMX 166 / Soyo SY-5BT / S3 Trio64V+ / Voodoo1 / YMF719 / AWE64 Gold / SC-155
PC#2: AthlonXP 2100+ / ECS K7VTA3 / Voodoo3 / Audigy2 / Vortex2
PC#3: Athlon64 3400+ / Asus K8V-MX / 5900XT / Audigy2
PC#4: i5-3570K / MSI Z77A-G43 / GTX 970 / X-Fi

Reply 3 of 18, by biessea

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Joseph_Joestar wrote on 2021-04-04, 04:55:
biessea wrote on 2021-04-03, 23:12:

I added some more RAM (this board has PC100 RAM, three slots) because only 64MB of RAM wasn't so good for me. So I add a 128MB module and a 64MB module, to obtain regularly 256MB of PC100 RAM.

Be careful with that, as your system might not be able to cache all that RAM. Using more RAM than can be cached may result in lower performance. Generally, it's safest to stick to 128 MB or below, unless you have a K6-2+ or a K6-3+ CPU.

Very nice build otherwise.

Thanks a lot for the advice. So it's better to switch to TWO modules of 64MB and a total amount of 128MB?

I think I will do that, so I think that in Windows 98SE 128MB is more than enough, isn't it?

Computer lover since 1992.
Love retro-computing, retro-gaming, high-end systems and all about computer-tech.
Love beer, too.

Reply 4 of 18, by Joseph_Joestar

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biessea wrote on 2021-04-04, 09:28:

Thanks a lot for the advice. So it's better to switch to TWO modules of 64MB and a total amount of 128MB?

Yes, 2 x 64MB will be fine. Note that dual channel wasn't a thing back then, so don't expect a performance boost from using two sticks.

I think I will do that, so I think that in Windows 98SE 128MB is more than enough, isn't it?

Generally speaking, 128MB will be fine for a (Super) Socket 7 build. However, some late-era Win9x games such as Deus Ex may benefit from more RAM and definitively need a faster CPU. Those games are best played on a different, more powerful platform though.

PC#1: Pentium MMX 166 / Soyo SY-5BT / S3 Trio64V+ / Voodoo1 / YMF719 / AWE64 Gold / SC-155
PC#2: AthlonXP 2100+ / ECS K7VTA3 / Voodoo3 / Audigy2 / Vortex2
PC#3: Athlon64 3400+ / Asus K8V-MX / 5900XT / Audigy2
PC#4: i5-3570K / MSI Z77A-G43 / GTX 970 / X-Fi

Reply 5 of 18, by Repo Man11

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To my surprise, the 5AGM2 only has 512K level 2 cache so 128 MB is the limit without moving to a K6-3 or one of the plus CPUs. https://www.anandtech.com/show/140

"I'd rather be rich than stupid" - Jack Handey

Reply 6 of 18, by Joakim

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Very nice! The only thing I would improve upon us maybe the CPU.

I'm building a similar system, the hardest part is to find a crt and a case to be honest mostly because if complicated/expensive shipping. I'm envious!

Reply 8 of 18, by biessea

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Joseph_Joestar wrote on 2021-04-04, 10:07:
Yes, 2 x 64MB will be fine. Note that dual channel wasn't a thing back then, so don't expect a performance boost from using two […]
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biessea wrote on 2021-04-04, 09:28:

Thanks a lot for the advice. So it's better to switch to TWO modules of 64MB and a total amount of 128MB?

Yes, 2 x 64MB will be fine. Note that dual channel wasn't a thing back then, so don't expect a performance boost from using two sticks.

I think I will do that, so I think that in Windows 98SE 128MB is more than enough, isn't it?

Generally speaking, 128MB will be fine for a (Super) Socket 7 build. However, some late-era Win9x games such as Deus Ex may benefit from more RAM and definitively need a faster CPU. Those games are best played on a different, more powerful platform though.

Oh yes, I saw that this motherboard with the 512kb of cache has the limit of 128MB of RAM. I have 128MB in two modules, and I know, no dualchannel here, the dualchannel begins with 754 sockets and over...

Ehehehe thanks for all comments, yes this CRT is so nice, but I have a better one, always from Viewsonic, the G90f+ capable of 1600x1200 resolution in a 18" size area. Capable of 100hz too. Sometimes I power on that monitor, I love it.

So at the end I will try to find a k6-2 550mhz, I just find one, tomorrow I will write to the owner and see how much does he ask for.

Anyway, I have another DOS system with a K6-2+ that runs at 450MHZ, with cache on it. I love that system.

This one is just to make some various test, I am installing Windows 98SE now.

PS: interesting to see that the CPU doesn't take 350mhz of overclock, even if I overvolt to 2,4v. Unfortunate CPU I think. Strange.

I attach other photos for you all!

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Computer lover since 1992.
Love retro-computing, retro-gaming, high-end systems and all about computer-tech.
Love beer, too.

Reply 9 of 18, by Woody72

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Don't discount Freegle in your hunt for a CRT. I put an ad on there recently and picked up a mint 17" Samsung 753S the day after! A lot of people don't realise retro is cool again and have stuff just lying around.

Modern PC: i7-9700KF, 16GB memory, RTX 3060. Proper PC: Pentium 200 MMX, 128MB EDO memory, GeForce2 MX(200).

Reply 11 of 18, by biessea

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Hezus wrote on 2021-04-10, 18:45:

That's a nice system! Especially since it was just given to you 😀

Ehehehe exactly!!!

And this is my CRT that I love so much. Viewsonic G90f+.

But when I rais on resolution the image become less sharp unfortunately 🙁 I can stay at 1024x768 at 100hz, or 1280x1024 at 85hz, little less sharp.

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Computer lover since 1992.
Love retro-computing, retro-gaming, high-end systems and all about computer-tech.
Love beer, too.

Reply 12 of 18, by Socket3

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biessea wrote on 2021-04-05, 13:36:

Oh yes, I saw that this motherboard with the 512kb of cache has the limit of 128MB of RAM. I have 128MB in two modules, and I know, no dualchannel here, the dualchannel begins with 754 sockets and over...

Socket 754 platform is single channel only. 939 had dual channel ram. The first consumer platforms with dual channel ram were socket 462 (nforce2 and via kt880 chipsets) and socket 478.

Reply 13 of 18, by flupke11

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Socket3 wrote on 2022-03-08, 15:17:

Socket 754 platform is single channel only. 939 had dual channel ram. The first consumer platforms with dual channel ram were socket 462 (nforce2 and via kt880 chipsets) and socket 478.

off topic, but still 😀
If we don't discount RDRAM, I suppose the i840 chipset (Slot 1 / Socket 370) was the first dual channel ram solution.

Last edited by flupke11 on 2022-03-09, 08:34. Edited 1 time in total.

Reply 14 of 18, by TrashPanda

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flupke11 wrote on 2022-03-09, 07:24:
Socket3 wrote on 2022-03-08, 15:17:

Socket 754 platform is single channel only. 939 had dual channel ram. The first consumer platforms with dual channel ram were socket 462 (nforce2 and via kt880 chipsets) and socket 478.

off toppic, but still 😀
If we don't discount RDRAM, I suppose the i840 chipset (Slot 1 / Socket 370) was the first dual channel ram solution.

I have a SiS 635t 370 board that has DDR on it ..only two ram slots but I haven't checked if its running Dual channel.

Reply 15 of 18, by Socket3

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flupke11 wrote on 2022-03-09, 07:24:
Socket3 wrote on 2022-03-08, 15:17:

Socket 754 platform is single channel only. 939 had dual channel ram. The first consumer platforms with dual channel ram were socket 462 (nforce2 and via kt880 chipsets) and socket 478.

off topic, but still 😀
If we don't discount RDRAM, I suppose the i840 chipset (Slot 1 / Socket 370) was the first dual channel ram solution.

Wasn't the 840i a professional / workstation product?

Reply 16 of 18, by Intel486dx33

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With AGP and AMD K6 that is a Win98se computer.
After you install Win98se install the unofficial SP3 Main Core updates only.
Don’t install the VIA patch 4-in-1 update.
Its not needed if you install the SP3 core update.
Remember when installing the SP3 just check the box with Main/core updates.
Install and reboot.
Then run the SP3 again and install DirectX-9 update.

You may need to install the USB driver update version 3.3

You will have to install Matrox drivers separately but Win98 should have the driver for your SB16.

Reply 17 of 18, by The Serpent Rider

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That motherboard has one major flaw - it's a pain in arse to get PS/2 support from non-standard size pins, which are also in a bad spot. Chaintech were selling PS/2+USB breakout cable as optional feature.

I must be some kind of standard: the anonymous gangbanger of the 21st century.

Reply 18 of 18, by Repo Man11

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The Serpent Rider wrote on 2022-03-09, 22:01:

That motherboard has one major flaw - it's a pain in arse to get PS/2 support from non-standard size pins, which are also in a bad spot. Chaintech were selling PS/2+USB breakout cable as optional feature.

The USB header is also non standard (it's tiny). I used one of these to build a computer for my aunt, and I had to take a connector out of a dead CDROM that was close to the right size for the USB header, trim it down a little, then solder that to a standard two port USB plate.

"I'd rather be rich than stupid" - Jack Handey