Ep12: Faster than any Intel Socket 7 Desktop CPU - Pentium 266 (Tillamook) MMX Tecra 550 Laptop

[@sebastian19745]

I would not use an USB mouse/keuboard because if I remember correctly, USB peripherals eat CPU power (maybe I am wrong if use legacy mode). Also, for 160MB RAM and 266 P1 CPU, I would use Windows95. I have an P2@266 laptop with 128M RAM and with Windows 98 feels sluggish, it runs better with Windows 95 or, Windows 2000. Ofcourse, Win98 have the advantage of better USB support for thumbdrives. Great video, I enjoyed your presentation of this beauty.

[@retrobecanes]

Hello, thanks for taking time to leave a comment. I agree with you, Pentium 1 class machines aren't ideal for windows98 gaming. For me, I limit its use to file transfers. Win98 has surprisingly excellent for machines of this era. Besides having to install NUSB and the WIFI PCMCIA drivers, everything else is supported out of the box from the stock installation files. Interestingly I didn't notice a difference when having the USB mouse though. Perhaps Toshiba has some trickery/specialized hardware for legacy support. Either way, often times slow is perfect for DOS gaming!

[@mawardiramli]

It is because internet explorer integrated into 98 shell explorer, you can use 98lite to tailor windows 98 hybrid with 95 explorer. 98lite trial with "sleek" option or 98lite full version with "micro" option will reduce resources usage. Windows 98 will run faster and smoother just like windows 95 with better usb support.

[@retrobecanes]

Thank you for the insight!

[@dabombinablemi6188]

Sometimes just having the USB controller enabled can eat CPU cycles (though chipset+board design has an impact too) - even with CPU from the late 90's. Posted the results of the testing I did on Vogons a while ago.

[@sebastian19745]

@@dabombinablemi6188 Is that true on plain dos too? Or only when device drivers are loaded in Windows? I mean, I think that the "legacy mode" option in BIOS emulate a PS/2port for the USB input device but how that impact the performance vs the real PS/2 port? Or simply the input device is wotking in PS/2 mode as old devices were able to, and the USB port is polled as a PS/2 port (I mean in plain dos, with no device drivers or anything, like dos 6.22)?

[@Max_Mustermann]

Cool machine. As for Pentium 233 MMX Socket 7 CPUs, it is quite easy to overclock them to 266 MHz by changing the FSB frequency from 66 MHz to 75 MHz, although the performance difference isn't too noticeable.

[@warrenmcclure7819]

I subscribed, I like the way you talk about these old neat machines. I love old tech and love seeing what they can do. Thank you good sir

[@retrobecanes]

I’m the one to thank you for your support. Stay tuned for more to come. I still haven’t found the ultimate laptop for gaming in pure DOS. My quest lives on.

[@RicardoRamosRetrocomputacao]

Generally, almost all Toshibas in this shade of gray are excellent for DOS and games from the early Win 95 era. They mostly have OPL and decent graphics. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find a working one, because they have a cancer: the internal battery leaks and completely ruins everything on the motherboard. It has 3 batteries that can leak: 1. the clock battery, 2. the backup battery (to keep the system idle while you replace the main battery with a full one) and the main battery when it is not lithium. Another common problem is that it will almost always have a sour screen, and you will need to spend a small fortune to adapt it to work with a modern IPS. I had several, luckily the battery had started to leak, and I was quick to remove them from the notebooks, and managed to recover part of the board with vinegar.

[@retrobecanes]

Thanks for contributing these useful insights!

[@Eyepatchfilms]

Another great video! Love these!

[@retrobecanes]

Thanks so much!

[@polaris911]

I have a 470CDT and it performs great for DOS games too. There is a stretching utility called VEXP, but it only runs on C&T graphics chip. The 550CDT with the S3 virge is tempting, even if it's not a great GPU.

[@chrisducati26]

Great video! It would be the perfect retro laptop if was using an ati rage instead

[@retrobecanes]

Hi, thanks for watching. Graphics is the one thing that prevents Pentium laptops from being perfect. I’d love to have one with 3DFX voodoo

[@jozsiolah1435]

If your Toshiba is locked by bios, you have to make a parallel cap from a parallel cable to unlock the bios. 3 types exist, some online pages describe the proper cable connections.

[@retrobecanes]

It's amazing how they figured this out! I wonder how many laptops were harmed in the process.

[@Chiongster101]

I managed to push my old pentium mmx from 166 to 225Mhz. That helped me skip the few generations and my next one was the PII slot 1

[@retrobecanes]

As I make progress, all seems to indicate the Pentium MMX is the CPU to go to for pure DOS gaming because the granularity of performance tuning. Unlike the pentium 2, which can be tuned to only low end, and high end performance. Check my review in episode 10 if you haven’t yet. Cheers!

[@AcerFursona86]

I have also a Tecra 550CDT but with the Deskstation V+ (PA2710EYN ) the station has PCI and ISA Slots, in mine i have two Voodoo 2 in SLI, this make´s the tecra to a realy powerhouse gaming machine

[@retrobecanes]

This is the ultimate combo! Best of both desktop and laptop worlds. I’m envious!

[@EriolGaurhoth]

If anyone ever develops a TSR for the ViRGE MX to fix the screen scaling for 300x200, this would jump higher on the "ultimate DOS laptop" list. I know one exists to fix the screen scaling issue for the C&T 6555x chips in the slightly earlier Tecras, but nobody has figured out (or attempted to) such a fix for the ViRGE MX.

[@retrobecanes]

Yeah, I upvote for a VEXP version for S3!

[@metonAlternate]

You can actually overclock these to 400Mhz. Using a Super Socket 7 mobo, naturally. Just like laptop AMD K6-III+ CPUs rated for like 375Mhz with a 75Mhz FSB will actually clock 600Mhz and do 133Mhz FSB with out modifications or need to use increased voltages on the motherboard.

[@nicomputerservices2669]

This is awesome, I have a single board computer that is the same size as a 3.5" hard drive that has a Tillamook Pentium MMX that I can get up to 333mhz and it has a Trident Blade 3D which while not being a great 3d chip it is super cool to have such a powerful system with 3d acceleration in such a small form factor for both dos and windows gaming. I really love that thing.

[@retrobecanes]

That sounds a fantastic board that you have. Is it a 104? Indeed, tridents had a reputation of being decelerators, but very compatible.

[@nicomputerservices2669]

@@retrobecanes Yes it is a 104 board. I went and checked and it's a "AAEON Gene-5310" I picked it up for $50 (apparently) in 2019, what a steal! While the trident blade 3d isn't something to write home about it is certainly serviceable especially with the P1 overclocked from 266 to 333. Really It just blows my mind that this thing can do accelerated direct3d at all in such a small form factor considering it's essentially a micro laptop board.

[@retrobecanes]

Amazing board! It even has an audio interface (albeit not in pure DOS). I have some SBCs laying around that I want to make a new series with...once I'm done with the current laptop series though. Stay tuned!

[@wootks]

Enjoy my Tecra 550 as well. It is indeed a bit of a pain to remove the bios and suspend batteries. I need to keep an eye out for the dock! One thing I wish was there was a good hardware VGA->HDMI scaler for 320x200 @70hz. AFAIK there is nothing on the market that can handle this well.

[@retrobecanes]

Hey, I regret not buying more of these docks when they were plentiful a few years ago. They were regularly sold around $10! Last one I’ve seen was listed for over $200! VGA converters are hit or miss, and dependent on the computer. I have a bunch, some would work on certain systems, but not on others . I didn’t take the time yet to figure out why is the case. Anyways. Thanks for watching.

[@pacochales9507]

magnifique

[@retrobecanes]

Merci!

[@adriano90210]

Did you consider using an IDE SSD?

[@retrobecanes]

Hello, thanks for watching! I do have an SSD IDE, however, I tend to use the CF adapter mostly for my reviews as I find it more practical to transfer files from my card reader on my windows 11 pc. For my usage, CFs are more convenient, they are cheap enough to have a bunch of them loaded with different configurations. But yeah, for a more permanent computer, an SSD probably makes more sense.

[@2tailedfox711]

What is that controller called? Also does this laptop work on the deskstation v+?

[@retrobecanes]

Do you mean the gamepad? If so, it's the PC PowerPad Pro from Interact. It's also branded as Mako Pad. I do not have a Deskstation V+ to confirm, but the specification sheets of the 550CDT indicates that it is compatible.

[@2tailedfox711]

@@retrobecanes I've got a v but not a v+ gotta keep searching....

[@ThomasCaraccio]

is that a serial or usb game pad you have got there?

[@retrobecanes]

That’s a 15pin Gameport controller. It’s connected via the docking station.

[@vardekpetrovic9716]

the best dos cpu is the dothan from intel and the barton from amd. the via eden and sis vortex is also great if you want ultra low power.

[@retrobecanes]

I never thought about Dothan and Barton. Thanks for the suggestions, I need to look more into them. I have an EDEN and VORTEX board laying around. They will be great to test and review once I'm done with this Laptop series! Stay tuned!

[@fungo6631]

You might be able to upgrade it with an AMD K6-3 CPU.

[@retrobecanes]

That would have been awesome. After opening the laptop, I saw the CPU is soldered. I also doubt that the BIOS will recognize it.

[@notfirefly1290]

Hmm how abt the k6 iii 550?

[@retrobecanes]

Hi, thanks for watching. The scope of the comparison in this episode is limited to the INTEL pentium. I should have indicated it more clearly. I also wish I could get my hand on a 300Mhz version, but they are almost impossible to find. I reviewed a K6-2+ 550 a while ago, episode 2, check it out when you get a chance. I really like this amd cpu, unfortunately the screen of that hp laptop Is terrible

[@PauloRAgostinho]

The Pentium MMX 266 MHz Tillamook is a Socket 7 CPU! 😅

[@retrobecanes]

Hey, thanks for pointing this out! I guess I need to clarify/specify it's in comparison to the Desktop...hmmm lemme try to figure out how to fix this: At least in the title & thumbnail.

[@PauloRAgostinho]

@@retrobecanes No worries, you are still correct, it is the fastest MMX (a part of the chinese golden 300 MMX). There are a few tillamook some embedded for laptop or other application or desktop socket 7 format. Main difference between the Desktop MMX and Mobile MMX, it is the lithography, 350 nm vs 250 nm (same as Pentium II). The 266 Mhz Socket 7 version is looked after, because it does 400 Mhz (4X100) with some modification and a good Super Socket 7 motherboard. Still that laptop it is amazing! It keep it alive!

[@Senux-Video]

If I good remember, in my retro collection, I have IBM Thinkpad 380XD , witch have pentium1 MMX 266 CPU to.

[@retrobecanes]

The 380XD supports the P55C 266MMX indeed. The main differences are the Neo magic graphics, and FM sound chip - It uses Crystal Semiconductor, vs Toshibas that typically use Yamaha OPL3

[@gaborszabo6406]

My k6 2 350@550 was surely faster

[@retrobecanes]

Indeed! Intel started moving to the Pentium 2 after their Desktop Pentium 233Mhz. It's a shame that AMD K6 2+ laptops are not as common. They allow multiplier adjustments via software - great for those sensitive games in pure DOS. Last time I had my hands on a AMD K6 2+ laptop, I was so disappointed - the screen was horrible! (kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKO4mGxmaJxsg6M).

[@Vanu-i4o]

I will never understand laptops for gaming, I just think wait until you're home and have a better experience. If you're buying a laptop for home, then you're a moron..... So many of my mates bought them and it's like why? My mate bought this £2000 gaming laptop in 2004 for Half-Life 2 and it sucked balls! He spent years paying that off lmao, meanwhile I had a £300 prebuilt that played the game far better.

[@retrobecanes]

I concur with your perspective. Also, mobile versions of CPUs, RTX and RX are cut down versions of their desktop counterparts, and pricier. However, when it comes to retro DOS gaming, finding a machine that can also run at 286-level performance, support legacy ISA sound cards, and VESA graphics. To play the full range of classic DOS games, multiple machines may be necessary to match 386, 486, and Pentium performance levels. Assembling a desktop for this purpose has become increasingly costly due to rare parts. On the other hand, outdated corporate laptops offer a compelling alternative, providing the required performance and compatibility at a fraction of the cost.