Need Photos of Your Old or Retro Gaming PC, 1995 - 2005

[Mnpctech]

Hi everybody, I've started a Retro PC build series on my YT

I'm planning 2 -3 more videos and asking for photos of PC builds from 1995 - 2005. (for photo montages at end of videos)

I will include at least one of your photos and credit your ars screen name in the video. (or real name, just tell me what you prefer)

Photos can be taken today, but All hardware must be from 1995 - 2005 era, including the case.

here's ep 1 "Mod like it's 1999"

 

[Mnpctech]

y2k_se's retro setup

Inwin A500 Case
ASUS P2B v1.12 Motherboard
Intel Pentium III 1 GHz Coppermine CPU SL4KL
256 MB PC133 RAM
80 GB Western Digital IDE (one of the 7200RPM 8MB cache versions)
32x HP 9100-series CDRW
12x Creative DVD-ROM
Matrox G400
2x VooDoo 2 12 MB
Creative AWE 64 Value
Linksys PCI NIC

 

[Homerboy]

y2k_se's retro setup

Inwin A500 Case
ASUS P2B v1.12 Motherboard
Intel Pentium III 1 GHz Coppermine CPU SL4KL
256 MB PC133 RAM
80 GB Western Digital IDE (one of the 7200RPM 8MB cache versions)
32x HP 9100-series CDRW
12x Creative DVD-ROM
Matrox G400
2x VooDoo 2 12 MB
Creative AWE 64 Value
Linksys PCI NIC

Classic case. And in beige!

 

[Mnpctech]

sure is, my 1st build in 99 was with the same case, its an Inwin a500

whoisit's Lian Li Aluminum case (forget the model)
Asus A7N8X nForce 2 motherboard
AMD Athlon XP 2500+ (yay Barton core)
Creative Audigy 2 soundcard

 

[Hi-Fi Man]

Is RISC hardware eligible?



Sun Ultra 5 BCD Series 3 (circa 2000)

UltraSPARC IIi 360MHz 256KiB off die cache
2x32MiB EDO ECC 50ns DIMMs
Sun PGX24 4MiB graphics accelerator
9.1GB 7,200RPM ATA Seagate HDD
Sun Quad FastEthernet 64-bit PCI NIC
Unknown speed CD-ROM drive
200 watt PSU

Just found this bad boy for free the other day. I'll be adding quite a few things to this machine; 512MiB of RAM, Ultra 3 SCSI card, USB 2.0/Firewire 400 combo card, Sun XVR-100, Cheetah 15K.5 300GB SCSI HDD, DVD burner, and maybe a new PSU.

Anyone want to do some benchmarks? Really curious to see how this SPARC compares to a PIII especially after I upgrade it.

 

[Mnpctech]

I'll find a spot for your SPARC! Thank you

 

[Mnpctech]

y2k_se's PC system

Inwin A500 Case
ASUS P2B v1.12 Motherboard
Intel Pentium III 1 GHz Coppermine CPU SL4KL
256 MB PC133 RAM
80 GB Western Digital IDE (one of the 7200RPM 8MB cache versions)
32x HP 9100-series CDRW
12x Creative DVD-ROM
Matrox G400
2x VooDoo 2 12 MB
Creative AWE 64 Value
Linksys PCI NIC

 

[VirtualLarry]

So dust-free! Amazing! Looks like new...

 

[Mnpctech]

FYI guys, In my next episode, I share this awesome find on Ebay, (New in Box) Chenbro Workstation Case from 2004 for $49.95 Shipped!

I have no doubt they will sell out quickly, once my ep3 gets published, either friday or this monday, depending on my time to get the editing finished.

Your retro build photos will be featured in ep4. I will share that episode link here, once it's published.

 

[VirtualLarry]

FYI guys, In my next episode, I share this awesome find on Ebay, (New in Box) Chenbro Workstation Case from 2004 for $49.95 Shipped!

That's a beauty!

 

[Mnpctech]

My SR209 workstation from 2004 arrived, and WOW! that "New Box smell" brings back so many memories. I forgot about the great features Chenbro offered!

$49.95 Shipped!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649


Flashback Smiles!
*overall construction, fit and finish of everything is excellent
*120mm exhaust for 2004 was a big deal.
*kensington side panel lock
*locking front bezel
*front bezel quick release latch!
*tool-less fan holders
*optional hot swap HD bay

Flashback Frowns!
*No access to back of motherboard. The Top and right sides are ONE panel (non-removable). This may explain the warehouse full of new SR209s from 2004.
*No filters. (Recalling why Jim Hanson from Coolcases sold thousands of fan filters during this era)

Obviously the smiles outweighed the frowns, but I still haven't decided if I want to do full-on retro gaming pc build or use modern hardware, or cannibalize it's bezel for another "retro-look" project with the Fractal Design S2. In any case it was only $50 for a friday night flashback experience.

 

[Mnpctech]

Lots of options if you don't mind picking up a power drill and have arsenal of hole saw attachments with an arbor.

Easiest to most time consuming air cool mods for the Chenbro SR209

1. Swap to higher CFM 120mm exhaust fan
*120mm Scythe Gentle Typhoon, https://www.coolerguys.com/products...-series-d1225c12b-1450-1850-2150-and-4250-rpm
*Fractal design Venturi HP, https://www.amazon.com/Fractal-Design-Venturi-HP-14-FD-FAN-VENT-HP14-PWM-BK/dp/B00VYEI17U
*Corsair SP fans, https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181027

2. Add 120mm or 140mm fan to floor, and raise chassis with large feet
3. Add 1 or 2 80/92mm fans to right side panel, toward front, ala Jim Hanson at Coolcases style
4. Add exhaust fan(s) to left access panel (not my fav option, must disconnect fan wires for access)

(Note: Your PSU intake fan in the SR209 fan will also help with cooling, as warm air exists thru the PSU as well)

 

[Mnpctech]

Episode 3 of my Retro Pc Build series! This ep has glimpse of Gareth's system. I'm still collecting your vintage PC photos for a montage in future episode.

 

[Mnpctech]

Derek's Windows 98 Gaming PC build, Keep the photos coming, Thanks guys!

 

[Mnpctech]

It's been a lot of fun doing this retro series, it's invited so many cool new online friends! This morning I met Martin, Author or "The Legacy of 3dfx" book on kickstarter. He told me he has over 50 vintage 3dfx video cards in his personal collection! It would be fun to possibly do a 3dfx theme mod with an actual case from same release year as a card.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mgp1982/the-legacy-of-3dfx-el-legado-de-3dfx

 

[Hans Gruber]

Derek's Windows 98 Gaming PC build, Keep the photos coming, Thanks guys!

I had that exact same monitor if it's the Sony Trinitron "Dell" 19" model with flat CRT and 1600x1200 resolution.

 

[Mnpctech]

Yes, and I was very impressed Hans, with how good the picture looked.

 

[Mnpctech]

I'll have first wave of submitted photos on Monday, I've created Retro Gaming PC Video Playlist

 

[Mnpctech]

looking on ebay at 3dfx cards, BIN listings, which doesn't mean they will sell, but none the less, wishing I kept my voodoo 5 card.

 

[postmortemIA]

sure is, my 1st build in 99 was with the same case, its an Inwin a500

whoisit's Lian Li Aluminum case (forget the model)
Asus A7N8X nForce 2 motherboard
AMD Athlon XP 2500+ (yay Barton core)
Creative Audigy 2 soundcard

Looks like Lian Li PC-60, I still have that case for my second PC even today!
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lian_Li_PC-60_computer_case_20060131.jpg

 

[Mnpctech]

Thank you everyone for being patient! Here's Ep4 of my Retro PC Build Series, https://youtu.be/qE4z6zRPu7M

thats the FIRST wave of photo submissions, I will have more in next Ep!

 

[aigomorla]

I think i maybe at the end of 2005 possibly earily 2006 with these....

Remember when EK's were the new guys in town?


HOT PINK! i have no idea what i was thinking honestly... lol... but these are OLD pictures...


If you didnt have a Mountain Mods back in the days, you weren't an Pro Watercooler!


Want something a bit older?
DFI LanParty was the board to get!

 

[Mnpctech]

@aigomorla those are awesome photos, Thank you!!!! I will share them in next episode in my series, predicting around new years

 

[ericlp]

remember the old cheap server you could get from dell for like 100 bucks? Bare bones back in the late 90's? Is that retro enough? I have a few shots of that, had to drop in a new p/s and installed a new cpu, with the tower of power, heat sinks that they were first coming out with. Put in a fast Video card (reason for a new P/S) stock one couldn't keep up.