Win98 Retro Gaming PC Parts List

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1-Mainboard:
Socket 775 ( that supports Core2 Duo / Core2 Quad / Core2 Extreme CPUs)
https://www.cpu-world.com/Sockets/Socket%20775%20(LGA775).html

2-CPU:
Win98 will use only 1-core, so only look at single-core performance when looking for the CPU
Core2 Duo E8500/E8600
Core2 Quad Q6600/Q6700/Q9650
The MAX TDP of the most powerful CPU is 140W

3-Memory:
Win98 will support by default MAX 512mb memory DDR, but it can also run DDR2 or DDR3 memory
if it is supported by the mainboard

4-GPU:
Nvidia 6000 series is the last one with official support for Windows 98
Nvidia GeForce 6800GT (Both AGP and PCI) 70W TDP
https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/geforce-6800-gt.c130
Nvidia Geforce 6800 Ultra (Both AGP and PCI) 70W TDP
https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/geforce-6800-ultra.c10
Nvidia Geforce 6800 Ultra Extreme Edition (AGP only) 70W TDP
https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/evga-6800-ultra-extreme.b4297
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5-Ati X700-X800 series PCI/AGP is the last one with official support for Windows 98
ATI Radeon X850 Pro (Both AGP and PCI) 70W TDP
https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/radeon-x850-pro.c105
ATI Radeon X850 XT (Both AGP and PCI)  70W TDP
https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/radeon-x850-xt.c966

6-ATI Radeon X850XT Crossfire Master (PCI-only)
https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/radeon-x850-crossfire-edition.c537 70W TDP
ATI Radeon X850XT Platinum Edition (PCI-only) 70W TDP
https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/radeon-x850-xt-platinum.c103

7-PSU: a 300W PSU will be OK, both the CPU and the GPU don't draw too much energy.

8-CD/DVD Drive
If you manage to find the Kenwood True-X 72X it will be the fastest CD-drive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNY4DFhf6xM
Otherwise buy a combo multi CD-RW/DVD-RW, both SATA and IDE will work, but maybe
IDE will give you better compatibility with legacy software.

Monitor:
9-The best choice would be a CRT 4:3 monitor with 2048x1536 resolution
(the highest one supported by the VGA interface)
10-Otherwise, a 1600x1200 more modern LCD will work fine as well

11-Mouse:
Since Win98 Second Edition  includes USB drivers, both USB and PS/2 mice will work in the same way.

12-Keyboard:
If you want to go for the classic retro theme, buy an old PS/2 white-grey office mechanical keyboard
such as Cherry G-80/G-81/
13-Otherwise, if you want the "Holy Grail"
https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/category/UKBD
It is like the original IBM Model-M, but with PS/2 or USB connector.

14-As to th hard disk, by default Win98 only supports FAT32 partition scheme and the
MAX hard drive size is 128GB, in IDE only.

15-As to the soundcard a good choice is the soundblaster awe32 because it also supports
the soundblaster 16 in hardware mode, being perfect for win98 retro-gaming.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_Blaster_AWE32
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZnfl1PN2Fo

16-PC Case:
Every old beige case from the 90s will work fine
(The Antec SX830-840 is a pretty popular choice among Retro PC Builders)
You could also mod the side door by cutting the plastic and replacing it with tranparent plastic panel.
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