In Part 2 of our retro PC series, we take our 2003 Pentium 4 build to the next stage: setting up the system, installing Windows XP, configuring the BIOS, and running a full suite of performance benchmarks. From temperature monitoring to memory and CPU tests — this episode puts the system through its paces.
This mid-range Socket 478 gaming rig features the iconic Intel Pentium 4 Northwood, Radeon 9600 PRO AGP, and Sound Blaster Live! — all housed in a clean red-and-white retro case. Whether you're here for nostalgia or hardware history, you're in the right place!
🛠 Specs Recap:
• MSI 865GM2 Motherboard
• Intel Pentium 4 HT 2.4C (SL6WF)
• 4×512MB Kingmax DDR400
• HIS ATI Radeon 9600 PRO 128MB AGP
• Sound Blaster Live! SB0100
• FSP 300W PSU
• 60GB Samsung HDD
• White ATX Mid-Tower Case
🔧 Benchmarks and Tools Used:
• Windows XP SP3
• CPU-Z / GPU-Z
• CrystalMark Retro
• AIDA64 Extreme
• Infrared thermometer & power meter
📺 Watch Part 1 (Build):
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https://youtu.be/tymFMB7GDqc⏱ Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:11 - Build Specs Refresher
00:47 - BIOS Configuration
02:09 - Installing Windows XP
03:58 - Installing Drivers
04:18 - PC Specs Overview (CPU-z, GPU-z)
05:00 - HDD Speed Test (CrystalMark Retro)
05:15 - RAM & Cache Benchmark (AIDA64)
05:35 - CPU Queen Benchmark (AIDA64)
05:56 - Temps & Power Usage (Idle & Load)
07:35 - Final Thoughts & Outro
🔔 Subscribe so you don't miss Part 3 — where we dive into gaming benchmarks and classic 2000s titles on this nostalgic setup!
#Pentium4 #RetroPC #Socket478 #WindowsXP #Radeon9600PRO #SoundBlasterLive #2003Gaming #PCBenchmarks #VintageHardware #TechHistory