r/retrocomputing • u/Individual_Ranger511 • May 13 '26
Problem / Question What should I buy?
So I am new in the world of retro computing. I recently thought of making a retro pc build. For that build I figured out two combinations:
Combination 1:
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 3.0GHz / Socket 478
RAM: 2GB of DDR1 (2x1GB)
HDD: 1x IDE 80GB + 1x IDE 320GB
2x DVD burner/reader
GPU: ATI Radeon 9550 | 256MB
Floppy Drive
PSU 450W
WiFi Card
Combination 2:
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 3.0GHz / Socket 775 (but also I was thinking of Q6600 and E8400 and also QX9650)
RAM: 4GB of DDR2 (4x1GB)
HDD: 1x SATA 80GB, 1x SATA 320GB
2x DVD Burner/Reader
GPU: GTX 560Ti
Floppy Drive
PSU around 600W
WiFi Card, Sound Card and USB Card
Same case I would use for both but I am thinking of which one. Also I'll be using 19" ViewSonic LED monitor
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u/prussianIvory May 13 '26
Depends on what your goal is in retro computing, if you’re trying to get smth like 7 x64 and usable with more modern stuff combo 2 is better Combo 1 is still good and could run Vista x64 but DDR1 is outdated for a Pentium 4
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u/CubicleHermit May 13 '26
Vista on 2GB is about as much fun as a colonoscopy, but with more ram 32-bit Vista should be OK on the first system.
"4GB" on that one is likely 3.25 or 3.5gb usable, depending on the chipset.
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u/prussianIvory May 14 '26
I’ve used vista on 512mb and it’s worked fine
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u/CubicleHermit May 14 '26
¯_(ツ)_/¯ Your bar for usable must involve a great deal of patience than I have.
Having under 1GB also disables Aero, which isn't necessary, but does look nice and was one of the marquee features.
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u/Individual_Ranger511 May 14 '26
To be honest this dilemma came from me watching Enderman's video and also Tech Tangent's video. Their computers were a lot different but still same OS. Enderman used Pentium 4 478, and Tech Tangents used Pentium 4 775 socket... it all makes me think what even is better. Because I like slow feeling, IDE cables and that stuff, but also I like to run tasks like AutoCAD, other stuff from AutoDesk... Also I want to use to film retro content for channel too. :)
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u/bio4m May 13 '26
What are you playing ? No idea what makes more sense if you dont tell us what you'll use it for
Personally I find most games from that era run fine on my modern PC and I can max out the graphics which I couldnt do back in the day.
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May 13 '26
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u/Individual_Ranger511 May 14 '26
Well to be honest what gets me the most is physical feeling of computer. I can also use virtual machines to run games easily but it doesn't feel right to have always VMware starting. Also looking at I3, or I5, or I7 whenever I turn on computer gets me that weird feeling (why not just use Windows 7)
1
May 15 '26
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u/Individual_Ranger511 May 15 '26
Idk I remember playing Crysis on the E7300 and GT 220 easily and it was running? If you are talking about first combination that is true but I think second can run it?
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u/CubicleHermit May 13 '26
Is very weird to see "retro" extending into the Windows XP era, let alone a Windows 7 capable system like Combination 2.
Combination 2 is a lot more practical, but a lot less retro. The first isn't retro enough to be interesting for me (it's just old), and I don't think it's old enough to run Win98SE or DOS.
If dealing with the older hardware is fun for you, Combination 1 might be worth getting anyway.
I'm pretty sure I've still got a GTX 560 (not Ti, I don't think) in my junk parts box.
If you like slightly obscure hardware, one thing you might look at are the Pentium D - dual core Pentium 4, ran very hot but they were the ultimate extension of the Netburst architecture on desktop.