The ULTIMATE retro build for DOS / Windows 3 / Windows 98 / Windows XP

Great video covering a huge range of topics 😊

You’ve managed to have a configuration that’s very difficult to come by, use it for 3 to 4 computing generations within the Microsoft Spectrum, and even got it to work pretty much flawlessly. Hats off to you, good sir. You might’ve gotten a Voodoo (1) card and a Voodoo 4500/5x00 (PCI) to work in this build, next to the ATI Radeon X850 XT-PE. You’d be able to play DOS games with voodoo acceleration, have the best Voodoo compatibility under Windows 98 and XP, and have enough power to run the heavier DirectX games too. As for sound: holy moly! If you’re still struggling with the idea to put more ISA sound cards in there - as the Gravis would make it complete - you might be able to source an ISA splitter and stick the whole in a case with 11 expansion slots. That way, you could even add an Aureal Vortex 2 to the mix for A3D. :D Thanks for the awesome video. I had a blast seeing this! :D

The thing you're missing is a Windows XP/98 sound card for either EAX or A3D. It will support a ton of EAX games from Windows 98 to XP. It makes a huge difference in how games sound in Windows, and was a huge part of the experience back in the day just like a 3DFX Voodoo card. Also, I believe there are at least a few fast cards for the AGP slot that will work better for you, but I don't recall what they are. Worth looking into.

You should share an HDD image so we can enjoy all you hard work.

I have seen many "ultimate" retro PC builds on Youtube but I think this is the first time I have seen a true ULTIMATE retro PC build. There are just too many hard to find or unobtanium parts in this build. It also requires extraordinary knowhow to make all these parts and OSs to work together. Excellent video and sound and games!

I think my favorite was "Quest for Glory Hole". Ahh, the memories...

This build is amazing. I can see the attraction. But, for me, I think it is better to have a separate build for XP and Win98/DOS that caters to the strengths of each. Their needs are just too different to make a no-compromise build. Though separate builds do take more space. I did get quite a few useful tips from your video though. So thanks for that. But, for an all-in-one solution, yours is the best I have seen. By far.

I built up a Shuttle XPC with Pentium M 750 using a IDE to SD adapter, but skipped anything in Software from 2004 onwards; DOS & 98 run like a charme, XP has a few stutters at times, but overall I like my small package; nice guide, a few tips will come in handy to iron out minor hickups

This is just in a whole different level. Congratulations.

The Gene Machine 18:39 > SB AWE32 - FM Synthesis 19:21 > SB AWE32 - Internal Wavetable Synthesis 20:06 > Yamaha MU2000 20:53 > Roland MT - 32 Quest for Glory IV 21:33 > Roland MT - 32 23:37 > Yamaha MU2000 TFX 24:35 > Roland MT - 32

If you use dos 7.1 CDU you can have one large fat32 partition getting arround the whole 2gb issue

Love just how much it's so underwhelming ... until that wavetable kicks ibn, and then it's like somone used a magic sponge on the inside on your ears! Thanks for doing this video Karl!

What an epic build.

There are PCI express graphics cards that will work in windows 98 - Geforce 6600GT is one.

That’s an awesome pc would love one like it for retro gaming. Well done!

wow, this really was a roller coaster of good memories, thanks for this amazing video !!!

Now THIS is a real retro powerhouse.

This is kinda hybrid-retro, i mean this computer is build with 10 years different aged parts just wow

i love both of those // and more in the background ... very good NITR0 approved.

The problem you are facing with the ATi HD and the Geforce 6/7 series cards is the fact they use PCI-e bridge chips to work in AGP slots. I've only ever got them to work correctly in winXP and above. Your choice of AGP card was a solid one. Always look for non bridge chip ones.