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TPU's Nostalgic Hardware Club

Joined
Jan 1, 2015
Messages
1,800 (0.50/day)
Location
EU
System Name Adison "Open Space" 19
Processor Intel Pentium II, 350MHz
Motherboard Chaintech 6BTM, Slot 1
Cooling SECC Cartridge
Memory 1x 64MB, PC100
Video Card(s) ATI Rage IIc AGP, Diamond Monster 3DII 12MB
Storage BTC BCD-40XH, Quantum Fireball 3.5 Series, EX6.4 GB
Display(s) LG StudioWorks 57M
Case Adison Midi Tower, ATX
Audio Device(s) Creative SoundBlaster 128
Power Supply Codegen 300W
Mouse Genius SlimStar 110, PS/2
Keyboard Genius SlimStar 110, PS/2
Software Microsoft Windows 98
Got this in mail today ... another "score" from AliExpress for approx. 11USD :)


I'm about to give my old Pentium D a complete overhaul, replacing not only the CPU, but video card too (existing X1550 will be replaced with 8800GT), including the two optical drives & new floppy. This build is technically speaking not part of my retro collection, but more like a back-up system, which used to play a bigger role back in a day. It also served as a HiFi center, up until I routed all the HiFi components through the audio switch & directly into the speakers themselves. So now I'm mainly just using it for storage & alternative inet access, if & when necessary.
 
Joined
Apr 16, 2010
Messages
3,600 (0.67/day)
Location
Portugal
System Name LenovoⓇ ThinkPad™ T430
Processor IntelⓇ Core™ i5-3210M processor (2 cores, 2.50GHz, 3MB cache), Intel Turbo Boost™ 2.0 (3.10GHz), HT™
Motherboard Lenovo 2344 (Mobile Intel QM77 Express Chipset)
Cooling Single-pipe heatsink + Delta fan
Memory 2x 8GB KingstonⓇ HyperX™ Impact 2133MHz DDR3L SO-DIMM
Video Card(s) Intel HD Graphics™ 4000 (GPU clk: 1100MHz, vRAM clk: 1066MHz)
Storage SamsungⓇ 860 EVO mSATA (250GB) + 850 EVO (500GB) SATA
Display(s) 14.0" (355mm) HD (1366x768) color, anti-glare, LED backlight, 200 nits, 16:9 aspect ratio, 300:1 co
Case ThinkPad Roll Cage (one-piece magnesium frame)
Audio Device(s) HD Audio, RealtekⓇ ALC3202 codec, DolbyⓇ Advanced Audio™ v2 / stereo speakers, 1W x 2
Power Supply ThinkPad 65W AC Adapter + ThinkPad Battery 70++ (9-cell)
Mouse TrackPointⓇ pointing device + UltraNav™, wide touchpad below keyboard + ThinkLight™
Keyboard 6-row, 84-key, ThinkVantage button, spill-resistant, multimedia Fn keys, LED backlight (PT Layout)
Software MicrosoftⓇ WindowsⓇ 10 x86-64 (22H2)
I've been getting chips from there too, although prices do fluctuate a bit. Mostly 775 to 771 mods and Xeon for early Core i sockets. AMDs are either expensive or not far from MSRP, for some reason :wtf:
Also, I find it very hard to get the right stepping, especially when looks like a 3:1 ratio for the later ones.
I was tempted for a Pentium D in my 2nd retrorig, but I guess I'll keep the P4. Already have it :p (house still under remodeling, can't advance projects)
 

phill

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jun 8, 2011
Messages
16,896 (3.44/day)
Location
Somerset, UK
System Name Not so complete or overkill - There are others!! Just no room to put! :D
Processor Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
Motherboard Asus Zenith 2 Extreme Alpha
Cooling Lots!! Dual GTX 560 rads with D5 pumps for each rad. One rad for each component
Memory Viper Steel 4 x 16GB DDR4 3600MHz not sure on the timings... Probably still at 2667!! :(
Video Card(s) Asus Strix 3090 with front and rear active full cover water blocks
Storage I'm bound to forget something here - 250GB OS, 2 x 1TB NVME, 2 x 1TB SSD, 4TB SSD, 2 x 8TB HD etc...
Display(s) 3 x Dell 27" S2721DGFA @ 7680 x 1440P @ 144Hz or 165Hz - working on it!!
Case The big Thermaltake that looks like a Case Mods
Audio Device(s) Onboard
Power Supply EVGA 1600W T2
Mouse Corsair thingy
Keyboard Razer something or other....
VR HMD No headset yet
Software Windows 11 OS... Not a fan!!
Benchmark Scores I've actually never benched it!! Too busy with WCG and FAH and not gaming! :( :( Not OC'd it!! :(
Actually, those were the very next generation socket CPU's, Socket A(462). That was even more fun stuff to OC! For a time AMD was the OC king with many of those models.

Completely agree and one reason for still having socket A board and CPU's around! :) Just when I got into overclocking as well... Back in 2000 ish wasn't it??)
 
Joined
May 8, 2016
Messages
1,909 (0.61/day)
System Name BOX
Processor Core i7 6950X @ 4,26GHz (1,28V)
Motherboard X99 SOC Champion (BIOS F23c + bifurcation mod)
Cooling Thermalright Venomous-X + 2x Delta 38mm PWM (Push-Pull)
Memory Patriot Viper Steel 4000MHz CL16 4x8GB (@3240MHz CL12.12.12.24 CR2T @ 1,48V)
Video Card(s) Titan V (~1650MHz @ 0.77V, HBM2 1GHz, Forced P2 state [OFF])
Storage WD SN850X 2TB + Samsung EVO 2TB (SATA) + Seagate Exos X20 20TB (4Kn mode)
Display(s) LG 27GP950-B
Case Fractal Design Meshify 2 XL
Audio Device(s) Motu M4 (audio interface) + ATH-A900Z + Behringer C-1
Power Supply Seasonic X-760 (760W)
Mouse Logitech RX-250
Keyboard HP KB-9970
Software Windows 10 Pro x64
Playing with some Xeon LGA 775...
Nothing to worry about here, everything is under control :)

https://valid.x86.fr/gyrdmp
;)
 
Joined
Jul 5, 2013
Messages
27,752 (6.67/day)
Back in 2000 ish wasn't it??)
Yeah, 1999 was the first Slot A release, IIRC and 2000 was when Pluto came out.. Some of the Athlon XP's were OC champs! And when OC'd they really gave Intel's best offerings a ribbing. It was fun to watch! And now the competition on again presently. Good times.
 

phill

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jun 8, 2011
Messages
16,896 (3.44/day)
Location
Somerset, UK
System Name Not so complete or overkill - There are others!! Just no room to put! :D
Processor Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
Motherboard Asus Zenith 2 Extreme Alpha
Cooling Lots!! Dual GTX 560 rads with D5 pumps for each rad. One rad for each component
Memory Viper Steel 4 x 16GB DDR4 3600MHz not sure on the timings... Probably still at 2667!! :(
Video Card(s) Asus Strix 3090 with front and rear active full cover water blocks
Storage I'm bound to forget something here - 250GB OS, 2 x 1TB NVME, 2 x 1TB SSD, 4TB SSD, 2 x 8TB HD etc...
Display(s) 3 x Dell 27" S2721DGFA @ 7680 x 1440P @ 144Hz or 165Hz - working on it!!
Case The big Thermaltake that looks like a Case Mods
Audio Device(s) Onboard
Power Supply EVGA 1600W T2
Mouse Corsair thingy
Keyboard Razer something or other....
VR HMD No headset yet
Software Windows 11 OS... Not a fan!!
Benchmark Scores I've actually never benched it!! Too busy with WCG and FAH and not gaming! :( :( Not OC'd it!! :(
Yeah, 1999 was the first Slot A release, IIRC and 2000 was when Pluto came out.. Some of the Athlon XP's were OC champs! And when OC'd they really gave Intel's best offerings a ribbing. It was fun to watch! And now the competition on again presently. Good times.

I was trying to remember as I remember buying my first ever Duron 650Mhz setup back then.. PC133 ram and all sorts!! I think I still have the invoice for it.. I remember going back with a Thunderbird that was one of the special ones that was clocked to 1Ghz and overclocked to 1.4Ghz if you where lucky!! I remember those days.... :) Remembering back to the days where I actually thought somehow Norton might speed up my PC because it was recommended in GTA 3 to try and get it to run.. Instead I just bought faster GPU and somehow that solved the issue!! :rolleyes:
 

phill

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jun 8, 2011
Messages
16,896 (3.44/day)
Location
Somerset, UK
System Name Not so complete or overkill - There are others!! Just no room to put! :D
Processor Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
Motherboard Asus Zenith 2 Extreme Alpha
Cooling Lots!! Dual GTX 560 rads with D5 pumps for each rad. One rad for each component
Memory Viper Steel 4 x 16GB DDR4 3600MHz not sure on the timings... Probably still at 2667!! :(
Video Card(s) Asus Strix 3090 with front and rear active full cover water blocks
Storage I'm bound to forget something here - 250GB OS, 2 x 1TB NVME, 2 x 1TB SSD, 4TB SSD, 2 x 8TB HD etc...
Display(s) 3 x Dell 27" S2721DGFA @ 7680 x 1440P @ 144Hz or 165Hz - working on it!!
Case The big Thermaltake that looks like a Case Mods
Audio Device(s) Onboard
Power Supply EVGA 1600W T2
Mouse Corsair thingy
Keyboard Razer something or other....
VR HMD No headset yet
Software Windows 11 OS... Not a fan!!
Benchmark Scores I've actually never benched it!! Too busy with WCG and FAH and not gaming! :( :( Not OC'd it!! :(
Is this a new form of guess that chip??!! :D
 

phill

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jun 8, 2011
Messages
16,896 (3.44/day)
Location
Somerset, UK
System Name Not so complete or overkill - There are others!! Just no room to put! :D
Processor Ryzen Threadripper 3970X
Motherboard Asus Zenith 2 Extreme Alpha
Cooling Lots!! Dual GTX 560 rads with D5 pumps for each rad. One rad for each component
Memory Viper Steel 4 x 16GB DDR4 3600MHz not sure on the timings... Probably still at 2667!! :(
Video Card(s) Asus Strix 3090 with front and rear active full cover water blocks
Storage I'm bound to forget something here - 250GB OS, 2 x 1TB NVME, 2 x 1TB SSD, 4TB SSD, 2 x 8TB HD etc...
Display(s) 3 x Dell 27" S2721DGFA @ 7680 x 1440P @ 144Hz or 165Hz - working on it!!
Case The big Thermaltake that looks like a Case Mods
Audio Device(s) Onboard
Power Supply EVGA 1600W T2
Mouse Corsair thingy
Keyboard Razer something or other....
VR HMD No headset yet
Software Windows 11 OS... Not a fan!!
Benchmark Scores I've actually never benched it!! Too busy with WCG and FAH and not gaming! :( :( Not OC'd it!! :(
Joined
Jul 3, 2016
Messages
758 (0.25/day)
I'll post the full story later. But I bought it for less than 2 EUROS and my gut feeling says it is working. I attached a fan to it as it was missing one, I soldered a capacitor back and cleaned it a little.

After this I put it in the PC but I got a VGA not detected code. I used a PCI graphic card and still NO POST. So I removed the BIOS chip and it was empty. ZERO DATA. I hope after I put it back the card might be alive :D

I already wrote the new BIOS with the TL866A programmer. I took the BIOS from TPU but I still dont know if the card has Hynix or Samsung memory chips. If I mess up I'll have to remove again the BIOS chip. I wrote the SAMSUNG-BIOS as it had the correct CORE/MEMORY clocks.

The card is: Ati Radeon 9800 PRO 256MB - PN 109-A09400-00 - but I couldnt find a BIOS file for this exact PN. The one on TPU is for P/N 113-A09401-100

https://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios...rsion=&interface=&memType=&memSize=256&since=
https://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/23/ati-9800pro-256-samsung22-030404


I tried to use the programmer and a clip to write the BIOS on the graphic card but it couldnt be done:

This guide served as inspiration.

"Step 3. On page 10 of the datasheet linked in this guide, there it indicates the function of each pin using high and low signals.
The most important one we need to know about is VCC (described under /CS). Since we are going to be programming with the SOIC BIOS chip still soldered on the motherboard, VCC has to be either 1 of 3 things: 1) You either use the boards power through AC adapter being plugged in (notebook is not powered on) and battery disconnected (VCC is not used on the programmer) or 2) You use the programmers power (VCC) through the USB port (5v) which the programmer will correct to 3.3v for our specific SOIC BIOS chip or 3) You cut pin #8 (VCC) on the BIOS chip to allow the programmer to supply VCC and have operating read/write signals (high and low) when instructed (acting as if the BIOS chip was desoldered). "

http://voltground.com/haven/threads/73/

So to be safe I removed the BIOS chip. Less hassle :D
 

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Joined
Jul 3, 2016
Messages
758 (0.25/day)
:D I still have to clean the leftover flux :D but only after I solder back the chip :)

The pads are fine. The procedure went smooth and fast even if it was done using "available" methods.

Inspiration from this:


L.E.

The ATI 9800 PRO 256MB still doesnt work even after I've written another BIOS file and I've soldered back the BIOS chip. The solder job isnt my best but I'm going to take the chip off later for another try. For the time beeing I consider the board dead. I simply have no luck with ATI cards :D



The K7-800 - Slot A - Thunderbird core CPU has been cleaned and put back together -It works like a dream :D 800MHz, 900MHz si 950MHz :D



Clean CPU in a dirty slot :D the ASUS K7M hasnt been cleaned yet :D



I changed two capacitors on the I850.



Now I know the state of each and every piece I bought recently. Next I'll have to clean the remaining pieces and tell you their story :)
 

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Joined
May 12, 2017
Messages
2,207 (0.80/day)
Asrock 939 / FX-60 3.2GHz (new personal best)

Small increase in performance with lower voltage. Note this is also the world first modified FX-60 to have a full deck of capacitors.
 

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Joined
Jan 1, 2015
Messages
1,800 (0.50/day)
Location
EU
System Name Adison "Open Space" 19
Processor Intel Pentium II, 350MHz
Motherboard Chaintech 6BTM, Slot 1
Cooling SECC Cartridge
Memory 1x 64MB, PC100
Video Card(s) ATI Rage IIc AGP, Diamond Monster 3DII 12MB
Storage BTC BCD-40XH, Quantum Fireball 3.5 Series, EX6.4 GB
Display(s) LG StudioWorks 57M
Case Adison Midi Tower, ATX
Audio Device(s) Creative SoundBlaster 128
Power Supply Codegen 300W
Mouse Genius SlimStar 110, PS/2
Keyboard Genius SlimStar 110, PS/2
Software Microsoft Windows 98
Secondary Q6600 rig all done! I'm saying secondary, because I already have Q6600 for modern gaming & every-day use :) So like I explained in one of my previous posts, this is just going to be a secondary, backup system.

Originally built in 2007, it had a different mobo (ASRock 775Dual 880Pro) & Pentium 4 @ 3.00GHz but was decommissioned soon after (about a year later) & taken apart for parts. Fast forward to 2009, I bought a brand new Gigabyte motherboard, along with ATI X1550 PCIe graphics, Cooler Master Gladiator case, 2GB DDR2 RAM, Cooler Master PSU & bunch of other things. CPU remained the same, P4 chip with single core @3.00GHz along with CPU cooler, ThermalTake BlueOrb FX. And the system remained like that for years, with only minor tweaks up until 2013 or 2014 when I swapped ThermalTake heatsink for Cooler Master Hyper TX3, along with "new" CPU, Dual core Pentium.


So now, in 2018 I finally did a complete overhaul. It got a new CPU (Q6600) & new video card (8800GT, 512MB), along with several minor tweaks & improvements to the overall system. I've added dust filter for the PSU, also restored the exhaust fan to working condition on the PSU that was entirely seized up, replaced the optical drive(s), swapped white floppy drive for black one, and of course done a whole new cable management since the old one was a complete mess! ;) See for yourself!
 
Joined
Jul 3, 2016
Messages
758 (0.25/day)
For the K7-800 Thunderbird I used the stock Cooler Master brick :D with plain Arctic MX-4. Those frequencies are just a "dry run" to see how far I can get the CPU to POST with stock voltage. 110MHz FSB yielded 900MHz (instead of 880) and anything between 115-117MHz yielded 950MHz (a little strange :D) OC-ing the Slot A Thunderbird was a breeze, much easier than Pluto. I tried 120MHz FSB but I got NO POST. I still have to RTFM better and read some more about the K7M. I looked in BIOS for a AGP/PCI lock/ratio but I only found an ISA BUS CLOCK with various settings. I used a V3 3000 for this test. Later after I clean the motherboard I'll see if I can boot at bus speeds higher than 120MHz and I'll use a cheap PCI card so that I wont damage a better card. Take note that POST frequencies arent representative for a stable OC.



The K7M I have has SUPER BYPASS mode enabled by default :D



What I can say is that last year I found a K7-750 Pluto core that had a 1GHz core on it. Unfortunately it came dead as the PCB was cracked and the cartridge was hit pretty hard. I knew this before I bought it but I hoped that the PCB was still intact. I'm still pissed that the CPU was dead.

Again I WISH I HAD A Gold Finger DEVICE!!! :D GFD! GFD! GFD!

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-21958.html

 
Last edited:
Joined
Jan 1, 2015
Messages
1,800 (0.50/day)
Location
EU
System Name Adison "Open Space" 19
Processor Intel Pentium II, 350MHz
Motherboard Chaintech 6BTM, Slot 1
Cooling SECC Cartridge
Memory 1x 64MB, PC100
Video Card(s) ATI Rage IIc AGP, Diamond Monster 3DII 12MB
Storage BTC BCD-40XH, Quantum Fireball 3.5 Series, EX6.4 GB
Display(s) LG StudioWorks 57M
Case Adison Midi Tower, ATX
Audio Device(s) Creative SoundBlaster 128
Power Supply Codegen 300W
Mouse Genius SlimStar 110, PS/2
Keyboard Genius SlimStar 110, PS/2
Software Microsoft Windows 98
Speaking of Q6600, I found these pics on my phone, from the last year when I upgraded graphics on my primary Q6600 rig. What you see here is a Hyper 212EVO CPU heatsink & GeForce GTX760 :)


Aside from Q6600 restoration, I also got something else... Never seen one of these before, didn't even realize Casio was in the market of VHS machines! Obviously, this is going to be a re-branded unit from Funai/Shintom, but it's still very much nostalgic nevertheless. And yes, it does work. I had to swap out the entire mechanical deck inside (old one had damaged tape loading mechanism & severe belt meltdown), but I'm happy to report that the replacement deck works exactly the same, without any problems whatsoever! It even came with original (working) remote, which is quite rare for these units! :)
 
Joined
Jul 3, 2016
Messages
758 (0.25/day)
I still have more parts to clean: three motherboards, two 3dfx V3 2000/3000 cards and the dead ATI 9800 PRO.

Preview:

* Celeron A 333MHz
* Gainward Dragon 4000 - 3dfx VooDoo Banshee
* 3dfx V3 2000

More later.
 

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Joined
Jan 1, 2015
Messages
1,800 (0.50/day)
Location
EU
System Name Adison "Open Space" 19
Processor Intel Pentium II, 350MHz
Motherboard Chaintech 6BTM, Slot 1
Cooling SECC Cartridge
Memory 1x 64MB, PC100
Video Card(s) ATI Rage IIc AGP, Diamond Monster 3DII 12MB
Storage BTC BCD-40XH, Quantum Fireball 3.5 Series, EX6.4 GB
Display(s) LG StudioWorks 57M
Case Adison Midi Tower, ATX
Audio Device(s) Creative SoundBlaster 128
Power Supply Codegen 300W
Mouse Genius SlimStar 110, PS/2
Keyboard Genius SlimStar 110, PS/2
Software Microsoft Windows 98
Back to working with old(er) hardware... RetroMaster 4000 in particular, I swapped the old Radeon X1550 for a new one. See if you can spot the difference & understand why ;)


VRAM difference - old model is 256MB & new one 512MB
 
Joined
Jan 1, 2015
Messages
1,800 (0.50/day)
Location
EU
System Name Adison "Open Space" 19
Processor Intel Pentium II, 350MHz
Motherboard Chaintech 6BTM, Slot 1
Cooling SECC Cartridge
Memory 1x 64MB, PC100
Video Card(s) ATI Rage IIc AGP, Diamond Monster 3DII 12MB
Storage BTC BCD-40XH, Quantum Fireball 3.5 Series, EX6.4 GB
Display(s) LG StudioWorks 57M
Case Adison Midi Tower, ATX
Audio Device(s) Creative SoundBlaster 128
Power Supply Codegen 300W
Mouse Genius SlimStar 110, PS/2
Keyboard Genius SlimStar 110, PS/2
Software Microsoft Windows 98
@dorsetknob You mean PCIe latch, right? :) And nope, both cards are intact. True, this other one ("old" card) was recapped due to previous owner using assorted caps & card throwing artifacts all over the screen, but that was also fixed. In fact, both cards are doing just fine!

@lexluthermiester My thoughts exactly! I couldn't use this card back when I put this thing together since I've had it inside that Pentium Dual Core (now Q6600). But now that I have it out, figured why not. In fact, I remember playing "F.E.A.R" on this card, while it was still paired with P4 Prescott @3GHz, and it ran perfectly fine. Maxed out even! :)
 
Joined
Jan 1, 2015
Messages
1,800 (0.50/day)
Location
EU
System Name Adison "Open Space" 19
Processor Intel Pentium II, 350MHz
Motherboard Chaintech 6BTM, Slot 1
Cooling SECC Cartridge
Memory 1x 64MB, PC100
Video Card(s) ATI Rage IIc AGP, Diamond Monster 3DII 12MB
Storage BTC BCD-40XH, Quantum Fireball 3.5 Series, EX6.4 GB
Display(s) LG StudioWorks 57M
Case Adison Midi Tower, ATX
Audio Device(s) Creative SoundBlaster 128
Power Supply Codegen 300W
Mouse Genius SlimStar 110, PS/2
Keyboard Genius SlimStar 110, PS/2
Software Microsoft Windows 98
Uhh... But it's not! Perhaps it's just optical illusion, perspective thing. Both cards have the latch, even though (now that I looked at the pic) other latch seems darker & therefore harder to see.

Edit
Take a look at this pic here, you can clearly see both of them :)
 
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