deepthaw

Yep if it were my rig and choice it's simple, with old hardware keep it period correct IMHO. Like i was saying if you want a good all-rounder for strictly DOS i would go a 486 or even 386 depending what end of the DOS spectrum you prefer.

Pentium i would definitely be using it as a nice Win98 rig set up, for that niche period of Windows gaming. Depends if that's your thing playing games like the original Age of Empires - Carmageddon ect.

As for DOSbox yep no point running it on something underpowered. If you wanted an authentic-like DOSbox rig, i would find an old cheap quad core win7 rig. Dress it up with an oldschool CRT, mechanical keyboard and ball mouse. Set that sucker to 640x480 resolution and install DOSBox. The outcome is a hassle free - fully compatible "DOS" rig that replicates the real deal yet without the drama.

If you don't mind tinkering and the go the correct period era rig. End of the day the choice is yours and this is my two cents

So perhaps there was a reason after all why someone would dump an older Pentium 4 at the side of the road, even if it still would be in working condition. Too far away from a recycling station, are there fees involved in recycling electronics over there?

@carlsson Generally, yes, if you take anything to a dump or recycling center, you have to pay to drop it off. It's not much, but it's a hassle and it does cost something and it takes up your time. Also, you would be surprised at how many of these machines might still be lingering around office environments or older folks' homes. My parents, as an example, still have a Pentium 4 in use (barely, thanks to XP SP3). They would be the kind to simply dump it on the side of the street when they upgrade (although I told them to give it to me instead so it hopefully won't meet that fate).