Nice video ! Those Pentium Pro now become very very rare and pricy ! Regarding the performance, the P.Pro architecture is really designed for a full 32bit operating system (such as Windows NT or Linux). Under MS-DOS / Windows 3.1 / 95 or 98, it takes a huge impact in performance : A Pentium Pro 200 Mhz has performance of barely a Pentium 133 Mhz. So using such a PC for MS-DOS or Windows 95 gaming is not the best option ! It would be a better experience to test it under NT4 for instance ! :)
I think it's fair to say that those systems are not geared towards gaming though, and neither was this CPU. I'd love to try it with NT4 or 2000 and try some productivity apps on it
@@TechMadeEasyUK The real problem with this CPU, and this was a huge blaming in all the magazines at the time, is the very poor performance in 16bits systems (or mixed 16/32bits). This was like a real flaw in the design, and it explains why it was kind of relative commercial failure. As soon as the Pentium II was launched, It completely replaced the Pentium Pro since it was a superb performer in 16 bits and 32 bits OS.
That's simply not true. While the Pentium Pro does take a performance hit when running software that used mixed code (8 and 16 bit, 16 and 32 bit etc.), its nowhere near as bad as press at the time made it out to be. In fact run benchmarks and you will quickly find out that the Pentium Pro flies through them faster then anything else (non enterprise that is) available before the Pentium 2 was released. And for DOS games? well many games were actually running 32bit code even in DOS, check for 32 bit DOS memory extenders like DOS/4GW on game startup. A Pentium MMX 233MHz stands no chance in comparison (unless its a heavily optimized MMX benchmark). Also its important to turn on features like "Write Combining" when running DOS on a Pentium Pro, this is usually done by running "fastvid" or "mtrrlfbe". This can more then double the graphics performance (!). I have many of these old systems. And while i like most of them, the Pentium Pro's really stand out. Chuck in 256Mb memory and even Windows XP runs OK (ish =) A final note to the video creator. Pentium Pro's are multiplier unlocked, most can do 233MHz with decent cooling (which you have). The VS440FX has an undocumented 3.5x setting to achieve just that. Not that ~10% extra performance will make a huge difference, but its kinda fun to do =)
@TechMadeEasy I know this is two years removed, but a VooDoo3-1000 PCI might be a good upgrade and would still be somewhat period correct. You'd free up a PCI slot and upgrade you 3D experience as well. I would also change the SCSI card for an Adaptec 29160 or similar 68pin SCSI connector type card. One of those shouldn't be too difficult to find and would upgrade your storage to it's best. EDIT: Maybe a Adaptec 2940W/2940UW would be easier to find and has great driver support.
Randomly I have a 2940W sat in my spares pile awaiting testing. I’ve also noticed that controller is marked compatible with the BlueSCSI project, so it might be a way to introduce modern solid state storage
@@TechMadeEasyUK Nice! I'd put it to use if it works! Those are very reliable cards so unless it has some damage, it's likely going to work and will provide a good boost in performance, especially paired up with BlueSCSI, which is a wonderful thing on it's own!
The dell version did use those unpopulated headers but with a 20pin atx connector with a different pinout and a single AT style connector, also with a different pinout.
@@TechMadeEasyUK I only found this out recently. Sometime during the mid 90s DELL were using intel boards but slightly modified power connectors to prevent them being used in normal builds. They are actually just moved across by 4 pins and you can mod them to use normal ATX supplies. Interesting thread on vogons about it and when I finally get a decent soldering setup I intend to mod mine.
Intel did manufacture main board and sell as intel product and released reference designs. Dell used a reference design but no significant changes, I think Foxconn was making the board.
It's a great case, my only annoyance is the sled system for the 5.25 bays. Anything that isn't solid (like a removable hard disk caddy) tends to flop about as the caddy isn't secured directly to the rails
The caddy was fitted along with a PCI IDE adapter, but I ran into compatibility issues and reverted back to using SCSI hard disks. And even with the new motherboard with working IDE channels, they only support PIO speeds which are slower than the SCSI drive
@@TechMadeEasyUK i do. i did had to create a color correction filter to make the picture look better, it's not perfect but it's pretty close to what it should look like.
Nice video ! Those Pentium Pro now become very very rare and pricy ! Regarding the performance, the P.Pro architecture is really designed for a full 32bit operating system (such as Windows NT or Linux). Under MS-DOS / Windows 3.1 / 95 or 98, it takes a huge impact in performance : A Pentium Pro 200 Mhz has performance of barely a Pentium 133 Mhz. So using such a PC for MS-DOS or Windows 95 gaming is not the best option ! It would be a better experience to test it under NT4 for instance ! :)
I think it's fair to say that those systems are not geared towards gaming though, and neither was this CPU. I'd love to try it with NT4 or 2000 and try some productivity apps on it
@@TechMadeEasyUK The real problem with this CPU, and this was a huge blaming in all the magazines at the time, is the very poor performance in 16bits systems (or mixed 16/32bits). This was like a real flaw in the design, and it explains why it was kind of relative commercial failure. As soon as the Pentium II was launched, It completely replaced the Pentium Pro since it was a superb performer in 16 bits and 32 bits OS.
That's simply not true.
While the Pentium Pro does take a performance hit when running software that used mixed code (8 and 16 bit, 16 and 32 bit etc.), its nowhere near as bad as press at the time made it out to be.
In fact run benchmarks and you will quickly find out that the Pentium Pro flies through them faster then anything else (non enterprise that is) available before the Pentium 2 was released.
And for DOS games? well many games were actually running 32bit code even in DOS, check for 32 bit DOS memory extenders like DOS/4GW on game startup.
A Pentium MMX 233MHz stands no chance in comparison (unless its a heavily optimized MMX benchmark).
Also its important to turn on features like "Write Combining" when running DOS on a Pentium Pro, this is usually done by running "fastvid" or "mtrrlfbe". This can more then double the graphics performance (!).
I have many of these old systems.
And while i like most of them, the Pentium Pro's really stand out.
Chuck in 256Mb memory and even Windows XP runs OK (ish =)
A final note to the video creator.
Pentium Pro's are multiplier unlocked, most can do 233MHz with decent cooling (which you have).
The VS440FX has an undocumented 3.5x setting to achieve just that.
Not that ~10% extra performance will make a huge difference, but its kinda fun to do =)
We'll done indeed!!
Now that's going in full potential, a complete video indeed. 😄
I'm just glad it's finally finished 😂
@@TechMadeEasyUK lol the barn pc series..
3dFX GTA is levels above any other version!
AWESOME!!! Badges are the final touch!
Love Geekenspiel's work
@@TechMadeEasyUK Yes! I've gotten all my badges for my builds from him. It just seems to complete the machine.
@TechMadeEasy
I know this is two years removed, but a VooDoo3-1000 PCI might be a good upgrade and would still be somewhat period correct. You'd free up a PCI slot and upgrade you 3D experience as well. I would also change the SCSI card for an Adaptec 29160 or similar 68pin SCSI connector type card. One of those shouldn't be too difficult to find and would upgrade your storage to it's best. EDIT: Maybe a Adaptec 2940W/2940UW would be easier to find and has great driver support.
Randomly I have a 2940W sat in my spares pile awaiting testing. I’ve also noticed that controller is marked compatible with the BlueSCSI project, so it might be a way to introduce modern solid state storage
@@TechMadeEasyUK
Nice! I'd put it to use if it works! Those are very reliable cards so unless it has some damage, it's likely going to work and will provide a good boost in performance, especially paired up with BlueSCSI, which is a wonderful thing on it's own!
The dell version did use those unpopulated headers but with a 20pin atx connector with a different pinout and a single AT style connector, also with a different pinout.
That explains why the Dell version I bought went bang shortly after I first plugged it in!
@@TechMadeEasyUK I only found this out recently. Sometime during the mid 90s DELL were using intel boards but slightly modified power connectors to prevent them being used in normal builds. They are actually just moved across by 4 pins and you can mod them to use normal ATX supplies. Interesting thread on vogons about it and when I finally get a decent soldering setup I intend to mod mine.
Intel did manufacture main board and sell as intel product and released reference designs. Dell used a reference design but no significant changes, I think Foxconn was making the board.
Great info, thanks! I've definitely seen a Dell branded board with a skinned BIOS so this makes sense
Had the exact same Enlight case back in the late 90s, with an Abit board and a crappy Celeron 333 in it. Fond memories playing FF7 with it.
It's a great case, my only annoyance is the sled system for the 5.25 bays. Anything that isn't solid (like a removable hard disk caddy) tends to flop about as the caddy isn't secured directly to the rails
Excelent 👍
Pentium Pro is my first computer it's so expensive.
Great series. Why did you decide to remove the IDE drive caddy?
The caddy was fitted along with a PCI IDE adapter, but I ran into compatibility issues and reverted back to using SCSI hard disks. And even with the new motherboard with working IDE channels, they only support PIO speeds which are slower than the SCSI drive
How about streaming on Twitch with this computer?
Oof, I can't see that being a fun experience.
The pc might get astma 😂
@@TechMadeEasyUK i do. i did had to create a color correction filter to make the picture look better, it's not perfect but it's pretty close to what it should look like.