You could also install W7 as a dual-boot (that is, not as a virtual system). W98, probably not. I have an i7 also, a bit earlier (3770 or something),...
Don't know if this would be helpful, but did you know you can install Microsoft Works 9 on Window7, 10 and 11? I know it's not Office, but v.9, which...
What would make it faster is replacing the hard drive disk with a solid state disk. Even a 250GB one would suffice for Windows, and you could use the...