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Reviving an old 3DFX powered PC

so that's why the DOF looks suspiciously not-so-pristine

: o

Surprisingly high quality photos and sharpness otherwise though.
 
I am also doing a win 98 build. I went a different approach.

Specs are:

Asus A7Pro Mb
Athlon 1ghz Cpu
256 pc133 mem
Ati Rage Fury Pro vid Also Have a Geforce Fx5700 if I need the overkill factor
Aureal Vortex 2 SQ2500 sound card
40 gig maxtor hdd
Radimax Samurai Case

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Very nice madshot. I like that case. You even have the box for the rage fury pro :)
 
Looks like an Alienware case to me, haha

I remember going to computer stores when I was a kid and seeing all those funky boxes like the above. Nowdays it's just a company logo on the box.

remember a lot of Matrox cards too. There was such a huge selection back then. Today the selection is sort of boring, same ole same ole with not much innovation
 
I am also in the process of building a retro PC, but so far I've got a Pentium III 1Ghz processor, 3Dfx Voodoo 2 1000 and Creative Sound Blaster Audigy ZS. I am having hard time finding a decent motherboard for my processor preferred in a brand new condition so it can last longer. I will also be need another 3Dfx Voodoo 2 1000 for SLI. If you have one of these things laying around that you no longer need, I will be more than happy to help you get rid of it and pay for shipping or buy it for a reasonable price.
 
Igorek said:
I am also in the process of building a retro PC, but so far I've got a Pentium III 1Ghz processor, 3Dfx Voodoo 2 1000 and Creative Sound Blaster Audigy ZS. I am having hard time finding a decent motherboard for my processor preferred in a brand new condition so it can last longer. I will also be need another 3Dfx Voodoo 2 1000 for SLI. If you have one of these things laying around that you no longer need, I will be more than happy to help you get rid of it and pay for shipping or buy it for a reasonable price.
Click to expand...

Usually can find a ASUS CUSL2-C for cheap on ebay. Only issue is 512MB limit on the board but with windows 98 its more than enough!!! I've pin modded a PIII-S 1.4GHz to work on one that is listed in my sig. Been almost a year with no issues.

Nice rig ThE_MaD_ShOt. I can't get along with A3D cards when looking at overall compatibility :(
 
Look what I found here:

An Asus PCI/I-P54NP4D for DUAL Pentium processors 75/90 or 100, but I could run 2 Pentiums 133mhz with amazing 4x16mb ram :)

I also have: voodoo 3 pci , some scsi adaptec 2940, some 3gb scsi hds, a smart & friendly CDR yamaha 4000 4x scsi, 5 1/4 and 3 1/2 drives and disks

pciip54np4d.jpg


cdr4000.jpg
 
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RogueTrip said:
Usually can find a ASUS CUSL2-C for cheap on ebay. Only issue is 512MB limit on the board but with windows 98 its more than enough!!! I've pin modded a PIII-S 1.4GHz to work on one that is listed in my sig. Been almost a year with no issues.
Click to expand...

Well, I need a reliable brand. Asus motherboards usually don't last too long, people who say otherwise probably change computers every 4-5 years or so. I'm not into overclocking either, so I probably need something like an Intel motherboard for durability and stability or something like that.
 
How many of you are using CRTs with your old builds?

I know that they're outclassed in every way by LCDs save for color reproduction (not counting IPS displays) and non-native resolutions, but there's just something about them that adds even more to that nostalgic factor.
 
GushpinBob said:
How many of you are using CRTs with your old builds?

I know that they're outclassed in every way by LCDs save for color reproduction (not counting IPS displays) and non-native resolutions, but there's just something about them that adds even more to that nostalgic factor.
Click to expand...

I am looking for Sony GDM-FW900 in a brand new or pristine condition =) I bought HP ZR24W a few months ago for my main set up.
 
GushpinBob said:
How many of you are using CRTs with your old builds?

I know that they're outclassed in every way by LCDs save for color reproduction (not counting IPS displays) and non-native resolutions, but there's just something about them that adds even more to that nostalgic factor.
Click to expand...

I started out with a CRT on this build but it quickly gave me bad eye strain, no matter the refresh rate I set it to. Maybe it was that particular CRT or just being already used to LCDs.

But then I got a Sony LCD and it was a night and day difference. The picture quality was the same save for the colors as you mentioned, but it's only noticeable for the first few minutes after you switch the monitors, heh.

Highly recommend you just go for a 1024x768 (For Win98 games that is) LCD
 
GushpinBob said:
How many of you are using CRTs with your old builds?

I know that they're outclassed in every way by LCDs save for color reproduction (not counting IPS displays) and non-native resolutions, but there's just something about them that adds even more to that nostalgic factor.
Click to expand...

I use one for my main rig (HP branded FW900). Love the thing. Use the VGA secondary input for my P1 computer or anything else I want to plug into it.
 
So anyone notice while playing these older FPS games that you feel like you are about 2 feet tall? especially playing unreal.. I feel like I am lower than crouch mode on a modern shooter... just kinda funny stuff... I thought about it today when I got a new set of prescription sun glasses and man did I feel like I was on the ground... like playing unreal. ;)
 
RogueTrip said:
Nice rig ThE_MaD_ShOt. I can't get along with A3D cards when looking at overall compatibility :(
Click to expand...

I actually never had an issue with the A3d cards back in the day. If I do encounter any problems I also have a selection of Creative cards to fall back on.




I also still use a crt for my gaming rig. It is a 21" Dell Trinitron flat. Best damn picture I have ever seen on a monitor.
 
Man, makes me want some of my older hardware back. Just recently sold a Slot 1 Athlon setup with twin 8MB Voodoos and an MX300 sound card.

All I've got left is an Abit BP6 with dual 433MHz Cellys (w/ 384MB RAM).

Maybe I need to build another old rig? :p
 
I did this a couple years ago and I still have the system running from time to time. I was hugely into 3Dfx. Mine consists of a Deschutes 333mhz, VooDoo 5 5500, Win98SE. I will have to check out how much ram I have. Its been awhile since I checked last. Freakin system flies with the old games.
 
This thread got me into gathering parts for my own machine

ASUS CUSL2-C
Pentium III-S SL6BY 1.4ghz
512mb PC133 SDRAM
3dfx Voodoo 5 5500 AGP 64mb
SB live!
40gb IDE HD
Win98SE

and case from a newer minitower IBM i was given from work

Can't wait to put it all together!

Carmageddon here I come!
 
RogueTrip said:
Usually can find a ASUS CUSL2-C for cheap on ebay. Only issue is 512MB limit on the board but with windows 98 its more than enough!!! I've pin modded a PIII-S 1.4GHz to work on one that is listed in my sig. Been almost a year with no issues.

Nice rig ThE_MaD_ShOt. I can't get along with A3D cards when looking at overall compatibility :(
Click to expand...


How did you do the pin mod? I'm coming up to this issue myself. Thanks Intel.

Can you point me in the right direction? I have the same board and proc.
 
My contribution to this awesome thread. The rig is still waiting on an Asus XG-DLS board and 700/1Mb Xeons, but here's its current configuration.

Xeon Prime

Antec Earthwatts 380W
Intel MS440GX
Dual P3 Xeon 550/1Mb SL3CE
1.5GB PC100 ECC
Nvidia GeForce4 MX440
Creative SB Live!
Quantum3d Obsidian2 SBi
Generic USB 2.0 Card
Adaptec AHA-2940U2W
HP ML350 Hotswap Bay
Hitachi 73GB 10K
Seagate 73GB 10k
Hitachi CD/DVD Combo

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26062012009.jpg
 
Hi ! i'm new in this forum and I am from Québec. This is my 3dfx PC for retro-gaming!

voodoo5.jpg


Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-6VTXE-A
CPU: Intel Pentium III-S Tualatin 1.4ghz, 512ko L2 full speed on-die
Cooling: socket 462 AMD Cooling fan
Memory: 512MB (2x256mb) PC-133 SDRAM
Primary Hard Drive: 40GB Western Digital Black IDE 7200rpm
GPU: 3DFX Voodoo5 5500 64MB, AGP
Audio: Sound Blaster 16 ISA
Power Supply: Startech 400watts
Optical Drive: CD-ROM + DVD-ROM
OS: Windows 98 SE

I have a PC with Voodoo 2 SLI too. I will post pictures soon!
(sorry for my english)
 
FMcamaroZ28 said:
How did you do the pin mod? I'm coming up to this issue myself. Thanks Intel.

Can you point me in the right direction? I have the same board and proc.
Click to expand...

You can do it by removing or covering AN3/AJ3/AK4 pins. To add stability I did the Vid mod to make it default voltage for cold boots as it would hang once in awhile during bootup.

I had made a thread over at vogons about it. http://vogons.zetafleet.com/viewtopic.php?t=29636&highlight=tualatin and where I found the information.

EDIT: The vid mod is on the front page of the lunchbox http://www.geocities.ws/_lunchbox/vid_mod.html and do read it carefully if you choose to use it. It was a bit confusing my first read over and what is jumpered.
 
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kitt82 said:
Hi ! i'm new in this forum and I am from Québec. This is my 3dfx PC for retro-gaming!
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-6VTXE-A
CPU: Intel Pentium III-S Tualatin 1.4ghz, 512ko L2 full speed on-die
Cooling: socket 462 AMD Cooling fan
Memory: 512MB (2x256mb) PC-133 SDRAM
Primary Hard Drive: 40GB Western Digital Black IDE 7200rpm
GPU: 3DFX Voodoo5 5500 64MB, AGP
Audio: Sound Blaster 16 ISA
Power Supply: Startech 400watts
Optical Drive: CD-ROM + DVD-ROM
OS: Windows 98 SE

I have a PC with Voodoo 2 SLI too. I will post pictures soon!
(sorry for my english)
Click to expand...

There is nothing wrong with your English. It is better than most.
Very nice build.
 
dude this thread is so full of win.

Thanks for the entertainment! I wish i had some old parts lying around to build a DOS machine.
 
chockomonkey said:
dude this thread is so full of win.

Thanks for the entertainment! I wish i had some old parts lying around to build a DOS machine.
Click to expand...
Yeah me too. Probably start rummaging to see if I can find anything of use. I kind of hope I still have my Voodoo2 as it was my first 3D accelerator.

Still have the trash that is the ATi Rage Fury MAXX... remember going to CompUSA to get the GeForce SDR/DDR and my dad talked me into that piece of shit instead. :D
 
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Time to give this thread another bump. In the process of rebuilding this Xeon rig on an Asus XG-DLS board. This thing needs a pair of 900/2MB Xeons and it'll be pretty much complete. Maybe a Sound Blaster AWE32 and a suitable wavetable board later on...

Antec Earthwatts 380W
Asus XG-DLS (440GX)
Dual P3 Xeon 700/1Mb SL49P
1.5GB PC100 ECC
Nvidia GeForce4 Ti4600
Creative SB Live!
Quantum3d Obsidian2 SBi
Generic USB 2.0 Card
HP ML350 Hotswap Bay
Hitachi 73GB 10K
Seagate 73GB 10k
Hitachi CD/DVD Combo

The retention brackets are modded from a quad slot-2 Xeon server. I had a pair of two sets, one is still intact for other projects I may undertake in the future.

xeonbrac.jpg


The current state of the rig is slightly different than in these pics, I've actually lowered the cooling fans for the processors about an inch closer to the motherboard in order to get more directed airflow on the heatsinks. Decided to brute force the cooling this time around because pure case airflow didn't seem to be able to do the job on the previous board. I had to add a single fan to cool the processors, attached using a similar method to the pictures below in order to get the Xeons running cool.

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very nice!! edit: damn that quantum 3d is HUGE :)

I just put my voodoo2's into my P4 rig.. they run well in that one also... I'm in a smaller office now so no spot for my bench... had to consolidate a bit. :p
 
revenant said:
very nice!! edit: damn that quantum 3d is HUGE :)

I just put my voodoo2's into my P4 rig.. they run well in that one also... I'm in a smaller office now so no spot for my bench... had to consolidate a bit. :p
Click to expand...

Heh, only thing bigger is the AAlchemy 8132. I'd like to get my hands on one of those one day lol. Of course this thing is so beastly it needs its own dedicated power supply to run.

quantum3d_aalchemy8132_256mb_003.jpg
 
revenant said:
very nice!! edit: damn that quantum 3d is HUGE :)

I just put my voodoo2's into my P4 rig.. they run well in that one also... I'm in a smaller office now so no spot for my bench... had to consolidate a bit. :p
Click to expand...

Make sure you keep them cool!!!
According to Quantum3D, 3dfx Banshee and Voodoo2 Chips contain a Bug which could cause them to overheat in modern Motherboards
(e.g. Pentium4 or AthlonXP based Systems)
This overheating effect has been observed to a lesser extend with the Voodoo3 as well.
It is assessed to be most critical on passive cooled Banshee Cards, where it can lead to thermal failure within one Minute of operation or less.
When using a such combination for the first time, leave the Case open and closely monitor Chip/Cooler Temperatures of the Card.
Click to expand...

On another note, went to boot my Retro rig the other day and now get 3 beeps (video). Dunno how a Voodoo 5 AGP can go bad with no power to it! Will have to dig deeper :(
 
RogueTrip said:
Make sure you keep them cool!!!


On another note, went to boot my Retro rig the other day and now get 3 beeps (video). Dunno how a Voodoo 5 AGP can go bad with no power to it! Will have to dig deeper :(
Click to expand...

Reseat it? Sometimes they get worked loose from the slot and you might not notice.
 
RogueTrip said:
Make sure you keep them cool!!!
[snip]
Click to expand...

I have an 80mm fan blowing right on them getting air around and between them... I might add another though, just for extra confidence.

flamex said:
Reseat it? Sometimes they get worked loose from the slot and you might not notice.
Click to expand...

for sure... I've had that happen. Or just pull the card out and let it sit over night out of the PC.. I've had that fix a 9700pro.
 
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