PC fried (again) - NEW Atom MB's viable replacement?

[clnilsen]

After 2 years of working on this, I've determined my Arcade machine project hates me. 

Heading into what would be likely the last weekend, finishing wiring my control panel and buttoning everything up, lets just say I was not happy. To be honest, it was all I could do to not push the thing to the curb and give it up.

But we go on!

So, I need to drop in a new PC (Motherboard and Processor) and one of the things that intrigue me are the New D510 Atom Motherboard, which can be gotten with a PCIe slot to use the new ArcadeVGA card. The advantages of this seem to be much less potential heat and lower electricity usage, allowing me to leave the machine on 24/7 without having to be indebted to the electric company. The new D510s seem to be step up from the Atom 330's as well in terms of processing power.

Having read several of the threads where the older Atom 330's were mentioned, I have not seen a definitive resolution to whether these were viable. There was some concern whether they would be powerful enough to run all the Roms. On the other side, looking on youtube I did see a couple of videos, seeming to show Mame running quite satisfactorily on the MSI wind netbooks, which would seem to indicate this would be viable.

I am primarily looking to use the machine for old arcade games (Pacman, asteroids, etc), NBA Jam, and the wife wants to play Golden Tee. I have both Hyperspin and MaximusArcade front ends; haven't decided which one I will be using yet.

I'm very curious if anyone has actual experience with this type of a setup, or could provide some guidance.

Thanks!

[milkit]

i always use AMD x2's. They are fairly low wattage themselves and a million times more powerful than an atom. I buy the x2 240~255 combos at frys for anywhere between $39 and 59 with a mobo.

Ive used atoms in netbooks and they just kill me. They are too slow! think of it as a 1ghz celeron

[clnilsen]

i always use AMD x2's. They are fairly low wattage themselves and a million times more powerful than an atom. I buy the x2 240~255 combos at frys for anywhere between $39 and 59 with a mobo.

Ive used atoms in netbooks and they just kill me. They are too slow! think of it as a 1ghz celeron

Something like This Motherboard you recommend? Not terribly familiar with the AMD offerings.

[milkit]

that one is decent, still pretty slow.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103714&cm_re=amd_x2-_-19-103-714-_-Product cpu with http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186151 mobo (or anything similar) would be much much faster for only slight more.

as mentioned, if you live anywhere near a frys electronics their combos are awesome. today is an amd x2 555 and mobo for $69 - $15 rebate
the athlon x2's are dual core, super fast, and still only 65w. plus its current, reliable, and more future proof


http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.362345 i have used this newegg combo as well with good results

[WhereEaglesDare]

They have dual core atoms now, I'm using one right now and love it.  Its 64 bit and everything, runs great.  Highly recommended.

[clnilsen]

They have dual core atoms now, I'm using one right now and love it.  Its 64 bit and everything, runs great.  Highly recommended.

Which Mobo have you had success with?

[WhereEaglesDare]

its in my asus 1201n netbook