Linux running on a dual Pentium III processor
Linux running on a dual Pentium III processor
Hello everyone, have any of you considered constructing a dream machine but postponed due to cost? I’ve completely upgraded a Dual Pentium III setup using mostly new, second-hand parts from various places. I picked one without built-in video, audio, or LAN capabilities to maximize flexibility, and all the PCI slots are impressive. There’s no ISA board here. I’m running Windows XP Professional retail; my goal is to install Linux as a secondary operating system for internet tasks. Eventually, I plan to upgrade to an HDMI graphics card.
Specifications: The motherboard is an Abit VP6 (second-hand, re-capped). It can handle dual CPUs and ECC server RAM. If memory or Pentium IIIs run out, I’ll switch to slower server RAM—though I’m okay with older processors. It has two Pentium III CPUs at 1 GHz (Coppermine; they don’t modify them for compatibility). There’s 2 GB of low-density 1-chip RAM, matched to the board, plus 128 MB ATI 8x AGP on four slots. It includes dual ATA ports—100 IDE PATA and extra dual ATA-100 RAID ports (up to eight devices), a SATA II PCI disk controller, and an attached 120 GB Kingston SSD for booting. There’s also Gigabit LAN with a 1000-watt Pentium 4 PSU (though it’s large), and a USB2 add-on card. I’m using a Creative Labs SoundBlaster SB 0730 for front-panel audio and soundfont support (optical option available). A built-in Xwave PCI soundcard is included for Yamaha Legendary YMF724 MIDI synthesis, with a real-time hardware music port. Everything is installed on brand-new, original white boxes.
Although I aim for a dual-boot setup with Windows XP and Linux, I’ve already installed Windows 3.x, 95b, 98SE, 2000, XP, and Windows 7. Windows 2000 works fine, but XP feels like a 2000 upgrade and offers a lighter codebase—better performance and front-panel audio support. I’m looking for a sleek Linux experience. Appreciate the read!
The project began two years prior when I chose a retro aesthetic for nostalgia, wrapping up late last year right before Australia’s bushfire crisis. Those memories highlight the VIA chipset’s low latency and its strong performance in dual CPU mode, making it ideal for fast multimedia and gaming on DVI video—though it doesn’t support Crysalis. Dual CPU also eases strain from add-on cards such as SATA II, gigabit LAN, and HD surround audio, preventing lag that plagues older Pentium III setups. I’m impressed by a system that matches the power of a first-gen Pentium 4 while offering an eco-friendly way to reuse old tech instead of discarding it. I can load decades of software from archives like archive.org, whereas most new systems would require hypervisors or emulation apps.
You have an AGP card that supports HDMI, paired with a Radeon graphics card. I'm not certain of the exact setup, but I can help you find it if you'd like.
I searched several areas and haven’t located it yet. With plans to relocate in the near future, I’ll be reviewing all my belongings over the next months. There’s a high likelihood I’ll find it if I still have it. I’ll let you know as soon as I do, and you can pick it up for the shipping cost.
@Sauron a modern linux on hardware from 2002?!? why do people buy new computers! I suppose an extra high end pentium III cpu does make it more interesting but what i want to do with linux is little experiments like emulate old console games and run windows millennium in a hypervisor to see if it can allocate the 2 cpu's than running just one with bare hardware (use 2 physical cpu to power 1 virtual). Even on multicore systems windows 9x won't use more than one core, like React OS. lots of things to try.