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Why Pay $1000 for a 25 year old PC! - NIXSYS Windows 98 PC

Linus Tech Tips@LinusTechTips2.2M viewsAug 27, 202218:31
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New Customers Exclusive – Get $25 off your purchase of any AMD and Intel Processor (limit one per customer): micro.center

Check out Micro Center’s Custom PC Builder: micro.center Submit Your Build to the Build Showcase: micro.center Enter SignalRGB's Minecraft PC giveaway at bit.ly A brand new Windows 98 PC?! But how? And why would anyone need Windows 98 in 2022? Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com

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Check out some legacy PCs available for purchase at nixsys.com Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► SUPPORT US ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com ► AFFILIATES, SPONSORS & REFERRALS: lmg.gg ► PODCAST GEAR: lmg.gg FOLLOW US --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: @LinusTech Instagram: @linustech TikTok: @linustech Twitch: twitch.tv MUSIC CREDIT --------------------------------------------------- Intro: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High Video Link: youtube.com Listen on Spotify: spoti.fi Artist Link: youtube.com Intro animation by MBarek Abdelwassaa @mbarek_abdel Monitor And Keyboard by vadimmihalkevich / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mechanical RGB Keyboard by BigBrotherECE / CC BY 4.0 geni.us Mouse Gamer free Model By Oscar Creativo / CC BY 4.0 geni.us CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro 0:43 Who is NIXSYS? 1:37 The machine 3:33 A GENUINE WINDOWS 98 STICKER?! 4:07 Checking out the internals 7:24 Why not PCI Express? 8:52 Why does Anthony have an old weigh station PC? 10:04 Something frivolous 10:45 Some benchmarks 12:34 Peripherals and driver issues 15:02 USB Audio? Maybe not 16:49 Conclusion

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This video examines a brand new Windows 98 era PC sold by NIXSYS, dissecting why someone would pay around a thousand dollars for a 25 year old operating system and hardware. The hosts start by noting the machine’s exterior design, which resembles mid 2000s business PCs, and then dive into the internal components that enable Windows 98. They highlight the mix of legacy interfaces such as ISA slots and an AGP graphics slot, alongside newer conveniences like USB 2.0, PS/2 ports, and a serial port for industrial use cases. The discussion emphasizes how critical legacy hardware can be for automation, weigh stations, printers, HMIs, and other industrial interfaces that still rely on old buses and cards. They also mention that Windows 98 does not natively support PCI Express, making AGP the most advanced standard supported by the OS, which frames the machine as highly compatible with legacy software and hardware ecosystems. The host then notes practical constraints like the need to install drivers manually for USB peripherals, the quirks of FAT32 storage on Windows 98, and the occasional USB 2.0 stack to enable broader connectivity. The video closes with reflections on the value proposition of warrantied legacy PCs, the role of NIXSYS in supplying such machines, and guidance for potential buyers who value reliability and compatibility over modern performance. Overall, the segment blends nostalgia with technical appraisal, arguing that for certain businesses and hobbyists the cost can be justified when uptime and legacy software are non negotiable. The final take emphasizes that while these machines aren’t gaming workhorses, they can be a dependable bridge to older software and industrial processes, provided buyers understand the tradeoffs and warranty options.

Topics · technology · computing · retro-computing · industrial-automation · hardware

Questions answered

Why would a business or hobbyist pay for a Windows 98 PC in 2022?
Because certain legacy software and automation systems rely on old hardware interfaces and operating systems, and replacing them with modern equivalents can be prohibitively expensive or risky.
What are the key hardware features that enable Windows 98 compatibility in this build?
The machine includes ISA slots, an AGP graphics slot, PCI slots, PS/2 ports, USB 2.0 as back-panel ports, a serial and parallel port, and a motherboard designed for legacy expansion cards.
What are the storage and USB limitations mentioned for Windows 98 on this PC?
Windows 98 defaults to FAT32, limiting USB drives to 32 GB without additional drivers, and USB 2.0 requires a software stack to function on this system.
Is the Windows 98 license or sticker provenance discussed in the video?
Yes, the video notes a genuine Windows 98 Second Edition serial sticker on the machine, raising questions about licensing and new old stock availability.