would it be possible for me to build a 486 desktop pc on the cheap? [I Like Old Computers and Consoles]

would it be possible for me to build a 486 desktop pc on the cheap or should i just try to find a cheap 486 laptop ?

it will just be to play old games & have fun with i'm not looking to spend a ton on it

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spjennifer · 61-69, T

You're probably going to have a hard time finding 25 year old computer hardware that still works but why the need for the 486? Old games should run fine on a virtual machine, even MSDOS can be installed on a VM on a newer computer...

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spjennifer · 61-69, T

@oldusercomingback Here's a link to VMWare's free personal version that can be run on Windows, not advertising for them as there are other free choices too but this is a good one that's easy to setup.

https://www.vmware.com/products/workstation-player/workstation-player-evaluation.html

oldusercomingback · 26-30, M

@spjennifer i meant i dont like virtual machines

spjennifer · 61-69, T

@oldusercomingback Sorry, then your options are really limited, even finding drivers for old video cards and such won't be easy unless you find a really old PC with the Operating System already installed and still working. Good luck!

stound

I think at this point it'd be far more expensive to find/assemble compatible parts for a machine that slow and old. most phones havemore processing power, memory, (s)hdd space, and use less power than 486 era machines ever dreamed of having.

in short, you can build this slower machine but it'll cost you more than just buying a low end modern rig.

Sharon · F

I doubt you could find a 486 chip or a motherboard to support it. Just try to find an old 486 laptop - someone might even pay you to take it away. ;)

Won't the games run on a modern machine? I wonder if it might be possible to find a 486 emulator.