Low Budget Windows 98 Build

[iCrushDreams]

I'm planning on making a build for my grandpa. The budget is about ~$200 USD, and this PC needs to do one thing and one thing only. It must run a database/printing program written in 1994 that runs on Windows 98. I cannot have any other OS besides W98. The database program is very lightweight but obviously the SSD will help the most.

Does this build look good? Anything else I can cheap out on? The PC will have to run this program for around 10-11 hours a day, 6 days a week, for an expected 4-5 years.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ZV9jkL

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($49.99 @ Micro Center)

Motherboard: Asus H81M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($43.90)

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.69 @ Amazon)

Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 64GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($39.99 @ Amazon)

Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($32.99 @ Micro Center)

Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($46.99 @ Amazon)

Total: $243.55

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

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Don't go with a CX PSU...

[TheSLSAMG]

The OS can only use up to 2GB RAM, and a fix may have to be applied for more than 512MB. http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=333688

 

I would do this personally.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Celeron G1840 2.8GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($39.99 @ NCIX US) 

Motherboard: Asus H81M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($43.90) 

Memory: Kingston 2GB (1 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory  ($14.69 @ SuperBiiz) 

Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 64GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($39.99 @ Amazon) 

Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($32.99 @ Micro Center) 

Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($26.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $198.55

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-30 01:18 EDT-0400

 

You may also have issues with finding proper drivers since we're talking Windows 98 here.

 

Don't go with a CX PSU...

They're not horrible units at all, especially since the unit will never see more than 100W likely. Even if it were being more utilised, it is still not terrible. It will do what it needs to do fine.

 

In fact, JonnyGURU rates the performance at a 9/10, and overall the unit is rated 9/10. And I'm very sure OklahomaWolf knows enough about PSUs to pass judgement on them. http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=239 Build quality isn't top-notch, but it costs $50 and sub-$50 frequently.

[Blebekblebek]

I don't see how it will works

 

You have no driver for windows 98

[ApolloX75]

You won't be able to run any of that hardware on Windows 98. It won't recognize it. Ever.

 

Maybe in a VM.

[STRMfrmXMN]

For those saying the CX won't be good:

It's poor for low quality stuff under heat mostly. This will be fine unless it's running outside in Dallas or Los Angeles. 

 

I think a used system is the way to go TBH

[TheSLSAMG]

For those saying the CX won't be good:

It's poor for low quality stuff under heat mostly. This will be fine unless it's running outside in Dallas or Los Angeles. 

 

I think a used system is the way to go TBH

A lot of the people who say CX is crap haven't looked into it or the alternatives taking into consideration the price point. They aren't top notch units, but there's nothing horribly wrong with them considering the price point.

[ApolloX75]

Here. This will work fine.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tyan-S1692-Pentium-II-440LX-Motherboard-With-Memory-Card-2X-Fan-/181770491011?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a525d9483

[STRMfrmXMN]

A lot of the people who say CX is crap haven't looked into it or the alternatives taking into consideration the price point. They aren't top notch units, but there's nothing horribly wrong with them considering the price point.

Well to be fair you can get a Seasonic PSU for that price... literally a Seasonic-made and sold PSU. But the CX does offer features that people like and it's fine provided it's not exposed to a lot of heat. 30C is a poor ambient temp. Should be avoided for a gaming rig with anything above a 960 in it really.

[ApolloX75]

Well to be fair you can get a Seasonic PSU for that price... literally a Seasonic-made and sold PSU. But the CX does offer features that people like and it's fine provided it's not exposed to a lot of heat. 30C is a poor ambient temp. Should be avoided for a gaming rig with anything above a 960 in it really.

I second this. I started with a CX600M and it failed after a month of solid 60%+ load and took my 970 with it. They're great PSU's for the price but just be careful what you stress them with, particularly on the 12V rail.

[GarnetDevil]

Run Windows 98 in VMWare

 

the OS has no driver for your hardwares

[iCrushDreams]

Okay, so if I reduced the RAM to 2GB, would this system run W98 in a VM? Or otherwise somehow run this W98 program?

[iCrushDreams]

And - I'd also appreciate if someone familiar with W98 hardware could check if my parts would have drivers, and how it would work running in a VM. I honesty didn't consider drivers.

[iCrushDreams]

Bump

[harrison_bassist]

You really need old hardware to do it properly. a socket A (462) AMD  or older. and a a big name brand as they will still exist for driver availability.

as for PSU... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033

antec, $45 and a VERY solid  reviews.

 

plus its needs to be a older board for native floppy support. 

[iCrushDreams]

You really need old hardware to do it properly. a socket A (462) AMD or older. and a a big name brand as they will still exist for driver availability.

as for PSU... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033

antec, $45 and a VERY solid reviews.

plus its needs to be a older board for native floppy support.

I had taken care of this a while back thanks though