Old Updated PC or New PC?

[XPGamer90]

Hello Everyone! I am building a XP computer (don't want a VM) for my works game room, this PC will be just for about 40-50 1990s-early 2000s games. I just need some help with what I'm working with.


Currently I have a;
Intel E8400 Processor, Dell 0k075k Motherboard (BTX), nVidia 9800GT, 4GB DDR2 Ram (@800), 80GB 5400 HDD, & 450W PSU.

The issue I am currently running into, is that the MoBo is a BTX, which won't fit into a regular ATX Case, as well, I bought a ATX-LGA775 Heat sink prior to finding out it was a BTX Mobo, (Purchased everything at once, I know dumb) - What I'm looking at now, is do I buy a ATX / Micro ATX Mobo, and then get a case everything good to go? if so, does anyone have a recommendation to a good motherboard, I seem to be having some issues finding a decent one (due to some motherboard companies from back then going under, and not a lot of info on the motherboards that are out there)




oorr do I go a different route


What I am looking at;
Intel i3-7320 Processor, ASUS H110M-E Motherboard, No Graphics, 4GB DDR2 Ram (@800), 80GB 5400 HDD, (Still need to check PSU)

 

[velocityg4]

Given the prices of used motherboards you are just as likely to find one with a Core 2 Duo CPU already stuck in it. As those old games are single threaded. There is no reason to stick with a Core 2. Any of the old AMD Athlon 64 will have no problems with those games. They were the king at the time. That 9800GT may be too new for some games. I know KOTOR had problems with cards after the Radeon X800 series. I'm sure others had trouble with that nVidia as it is much newer.

The ultimate CPU and GPU would be something like an AMD Athlon 64 3700+ and GeForce 6800 Ultra or ATI Radeon X800 XT.

Anyways, these Gigabyte GA-G31M-E2SL are nice enough board and pretty cheap. I actually have two of them still working fine. Never gave me a problem. So I'd recommend getting one of these I saw on eBay. They are the best prices I've seen for a board which meets your requirements.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gigabyte-GA-G31M-ES2L-Motherboard-With-Intel-Duo-Core-Processor-and-Heatsink-/292067264486?hash=item440090c7e6:g:Ks8AAOSwzgBY1xel
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gigabyte-GA-G31M-ES2L-Motherboard-With-Cpu-5700-And-Fan-2GB-Ram-DDR2-work-100-/152496826373?hash=item238184e805:g:jy8AAOSwWxNY2ucM

Higher end boards have ridiculous prices.

 

[XPGamer90]

Given the prices of used motherboards you are just as likely to find one with a Core 2 Duo CPU already stuck in it. As those old games are single threaded. There is no reason to stick with a Core 2. Any of the old AMD Athlon 64 will have no problems with those games. They were the king at the time. That 9800GT may be too new for some games. I know KOTOR had problems with cards after the Radeon X800 series. I'm sure others had trouble with that nVidia as it is much newer.

The ultimate CPU and GPU would be something like an AMD Athlon 64 3700+ and GeForce 6800 Ultra or ATI Radeon X800 XT.

Anyways, these Gigabyte GA-G31M-E2SL are nice enough board and pretty cheap. I actually have two of them still working fine. Never gave me a problem. So I'd recommend getting one of these I saw on eBay. They are the best prices I've seen for a board which meets your requirements.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gigabyte-GA-G31M-ES2L-Motherboard-With-Intel-Duo-Core-Processor-and-Heatsink-/292067264486?hash=item440090c7e6:g:Ks8AAOSwzgBY1xel
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gigabyte-GA-G31M-ES2L-Motherboard-With-Cpu-5700-And-Fan-2GB-Ram-DDR2-work-100-/152496826373?hash=item238184e805:g:jy8AAOSwWxNY2ucM

Higher end boards have ridiculous prices.

Thank you for that info, I'm not necessarily looking for the cheapest on the block, I would rather something good, even at 50-70$

 

[velocityg4]

Get a Gigabyte, ASUS or Foxconn with an X38 or X48 chipset for high end. Steer clear of Biostar. As I recall ASRock was a garbage brand back then.

If they make mention of it being pulled from a Dell or other OEM. Steer clear. The BIOS will be neutered.

 

[XPGamer90]

These are the 3 MoBos I'm looking at, Which one do you guys think?

http://www.gigabyte.us/Motherboard/GA-EP43-UD3L-rev-13#ov
http://www.gigabyte.us/Motherboard/GA-X48-DQ6-rev-11#ov
http://www.gigabyte.us/Motherboard/GA-X38-DQ6-rev-10#ov

 

[velocityg4]

The GA-X48-DQ6 is the replacement for the GA-X38-DQ6. There is very little difference between them. The GA-X48-DQ6 is just a little bit more advanced. So I'd get that. The x48 should also handle the low power states of the 45nm e8400 to their full potential. Also the GA-X48-DQ6 supports the e8400 with its original BIOS. Which I didn't think about before. The x38 needs a BIOS update as do any other 3 series.

The GA-EP43-UD3L is a lower end board. While the X48 and X38 were high end options in their time. The P43 was for low to mid range boards.

 

[XPGamer90]

The GA-X48-DQ6 is the replacement for the GA-X38-DQ6. There is very little difference between them. The GA-X48-DQ6 is just a little bit more advanced. So I'd get that. The x48 should also handle the low power states of the 45nm e8400 to their full potential. Also the GA-X48-DQ6 supports the e8400 with its original BIOS. Which I didn't think about before. The x38 needs a BIOS update as do any other 3 series.

The GA-EP43-UD3L is a lower end board. While the X48 and X38 were high end options in their time. The P43 was for low to mid range boards.

Sweet, thank you. Now I just have to find a GA-X48-DQ6 haha