PC and Computer hardware is often released in cycles. We have talked about this on the Podcast before and what that means for a hardware review website, like Hardware Asylum, is that we have several months where there isn’t much to do. Of course, this problem has compounded itself with the findings from the global chip shortage, global lockdown, YouTube sites and a major shift in where consumers go to do their research.
Summer time has always been slow and 2023 is no exception.
During the lockdown Dennis started to involve himself with some Retro PC builds and finding creative ways to use these old computers and how many modern components can be used to bring back old computers.
The first project was a rebuild of an old 386DX 40Mhz and has quickly expanded to feature a wide variety of different machines and some hardware to support these builds.
Subwoofer Project: Retro (and Modern) computers are lacking in audio options. Most modern builds have gone away with desktop speakers in favor of high-quality headphones. Well, Dennis has started a subwoofer project that should fill in those gaps and far exceed anything that was ever released before.
Supra PiModem Project: This project is the rebuilding and repurposing of an old Supra Dial-Up Modem to become an Internet appliance allowing Retro PCs to access the modern internet while also allowing them to access BBS sites using period correct software. It also works as a network file and application server due to the power of the Single Board Computer used in the build.
Slot 1 Gaming Build: In the ongoing build series there are a number of builds planned and a few in progress. This build is called Primo and will feature a Penitum III 500Mhz combined with 3DFX Voodoo 2 cards which will not only be rather powerful but period correct enough to play certain games the way they were ment to be played.
Related Links
Creative Sound Blaster X7 and E-MU XM7 Speaker Review
Sound Blaster X5 Hi-Res Dual DAC USB Sound Card review
Building the Final Version of the Double Subwoofer Box
Supra PiModem Project - Getting Retro PCs Online
Slot 1 Motherboard Testing for a Retro PC Build
Episode 148 featured music:
Little People - Start Shootin' (http://www.littlepeoplemusic.com/)
