Would this unit work for running all emulators?

[reptileink]

So, I am pretty much going to ditch the Xbox, and go PC.

I was looking at and Asus Eee Box:     

Specs:

*  Intel Atom N270 Processor; Intel GMA 950 Graphics
    * 1GB DDR2 RAM, 2 x 512MB, 2 Slots, 2GB Max
    * 160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400 RPM)
    * Windows XP Home Operating System; 10/100/1000 LAN; 802.11 bgn Wireless;
    * DVI out; 4 USB 2.0 ports; SD/MMC/Memory Stick; Vesa 75/100 Mount

This should be able to handle any emulator, correct?

[kronic24601]

Being able to handle an emulator, and being able to handle a game are two very different things.

The 1.6 Ghz processor will be able to run the classics just fine, but it's going to have problems with newer games ... I've not tried anything that slow for PSX, N64 type games, but I can imagine the results aren't great.

I have 4.5Ghz processor, and STILL games like Gauntlet Legends, Blitz, etc.. run laggy.

Emulation is almost all about the processor speed, not really the number of cores, and almost has nothing to do with advanced graphics. Whatever you are trying to emulate, you need something MUCH MUCH FASTER to actually emulate it correctly.

But hey, like I said, it all comes down to what you are trying to play.

[DeLuSioNal29]

It should be fine if you run Tiny XP (Google it).  It's a version of Windows that is cabinet friendly since it has been stripped of the bells and whistles that slows it down.

Also, try reducing the sound quality in the mame.ini to from 48000 to something lower.

Last but not least, the higher version of MAME you go to the stronger the processor speed you will need.  I'm still running .119 and that ran fine on a Pentium II 400MHz with Tiny XP.

As for Blitz, Gauntlet Legends and the like, yeah, that doesn't run well on anyone's computer at the moment.

D

[reptileink]

yea, but games like Blitz and Gauntlet legends are also ported to console, so are half of the arcade style games out there. Also, would I be able to add a composite out hub to this does anyone know?

[deepblue]

So additional cores don't add muscle to MAME emulation? What about a dual processor rig? (I've got a dual Xeon 3Ghz Workstation I may use to replace my old P4 2.53Ghz that I have now). Want to know if that's worthwhile.

To the OP - I have an Acer Revo that uses an Atom 330 processor. They are great as media pc's because they can offload decoding to the GPU (if it is an Nvidia ION chipset), but outside of that the CPU horsepower is quite low.

Regarding "adding" outputs, these "net tops" don't have much expansion capability, so you would be looking for a USB device or a VGA to composite such adapter if they exist.

[reptileink]

ah.

I am just really stumped as to what to get for a PC. I have some points from my work that I can use to get something, but these EEE boxes are the only thing I can "afford" with them.

[Blanka]

There are Mame versions that use Dual cores. You can also compile yourself for dual core. I think the EEE box with 330 and ION is a nicer option. The ION can take over the scaling, and some emus benefit from the extra core. But hey, can't we buy a mini-itx board with i3 for the same price? That one is a helluvalot faster.
Oops, I forgot the Windows licence. That one is worth half the price of the EEE box already . So EEE box equals mini-itx i3, where the first includes windows and the second doesn't

[deepblue]

There are Mame versions that use Dual cores. You can also compile yourself for dual core.

Blanka do you have any links or further info on this? Would appreciate it.

Reptileink - hit up Kijiji and fire in your price range in the computers section. I've found some older (2yr or so) dual cores or 3ghz w HT that are doable for the same price.

[kronic24601]

You can compile it for dual core, but ... in reality the performance boosts are quite minimal. There is a thread here somewhere where the stats are all posted, I can't remember where though.

The real boost is in using a x64 OP instead of x32.

Also, consider what Front end you would like to use. I was SOLD on the Hyperspin platform, BUT it is kinda CPU intensive. My previous 2.2GHZ Pentium 4 was a little sluggish.

If I had to do it all over again? I'd probably use a simple Core 2 Duo, something cheap but def above 2Ghz. I wanted to be able to play Street Fighter 4, and that takes a little something extra. Like I said though, I don't think you are going to have a very pleasant time doing dreamcast/psx/n64 emulation with a week setup.

[Epyx]

Emulation is almost all about the processor speed, not really the number of cores

Certain emulators like the Wii/Gamecube Dolphin emulator run much faster with dual core option enabled.  Also, 64 bit provides a performance boost as mentioned a few posts above.

[kronic24601]

ah ... never done wii/gamecube. I was more thinking of MAME anyway... good call.

[Haze]

the atom cpus are *very* weak for MAME (and emulation in general)

depending on what you consider to be 'classics' it may even struggle with those.  Somebody just felt the need to optimize Namco's Assault to run on one, because even that was marginal, and personally I'd consider that a classic.

Those CPUs are designed with low power consumption and low production cost in mind, not performance.

[reptileink]

How does this one sound??

Hp Pavilion a562n
Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz
80 GB hard drive
2 GB DDR RAM
16x DVD(+/-)R/RW (+/-)R DL drive
16X DVD ROM
NVIDIA Gforce 2 GTSvideo
Realteck AC97 audio
Integrated 10/100 Base-T networking interface

Windows XP 2005

guy wants $75

[DeLuSioNal29]

Here's a sale that newegg is having.

http://promotions.newegg.com/NEemail/Aug-0-2010/BTSL87T/index-landing.html?nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL081910&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL081910-_-EMC-081910-Index-_-E0A-_-HDD

Here's a system that will work great:
-  Motherboard (with integrated video ATI Radeon 3000) - $54.99 w/promo code EMCYWZX33
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130254&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL081910&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL081910-_-EMC-081910-Index-_-AMDMotherboards-_-13130254-L03C
-  CPU:  AMD X2 Dual core 3.0 GHZ -$62.99
-  2GB DDR3 RAM - $38.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144454
-  1TB 7200 RPM HDD - $58.99 w/promo code EMCYWZX27
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL081910&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL081910-_-EMC-081910-Index-_-InternalHardDrives-_-22148433-L0A
-  Power Supply - $15.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=17-822-007&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&PageSize=10&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&IsFeedbackTab=true#scrollFullInfo
-  DVD Drive - $19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106333&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL081910&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL081910-_-EMC-081910-Index-_-CDDVDBurners-_-27106333-L0C

You don't need a case.  You can mount it directly into a cab.

However I found one that includes the case - $209.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6506495&CatId=332

I'm assuming of course that you have an OS to install on it already though.

D

[reptileink]

I pretty much locked up the one I posted for $75.

I don't have the computer knowledge to piece one together, and I don't have an OS handy, so that's adding another 60-$70.

[oyama82]

newer mame versions support dual core,just enable it on the mame.ini file
with an intel atom you have to put windows xp 32bit(whatever version doesnt matter,tiny xp doesnt offer you more speed on games)
dont expect to run psx based mame games and above,only the below ones

you can still run psx,n64 on other emulators(epsxe,project 64,zinc)fullspeed with the correct plugins
also model 2 and dreamcast emulators are slow on atoms(though if you put another vga they will be playable)

[ark_ader]

Just get an old Xbox.

[severdhed]

that p4 system should be fine for most things.  I am running a p4 3.0ghz, 2gb ram, geforce 4 mx440 and it works great for mame, i dont run other emulators though

[oyama82]

your pentium 4 is almost equal to the atoms
so you can run other emulators like a wrote above

[deepblue]

your pentium 4 is almost equal to the atoms
so you can run other emulators like a wrote above

Depends on the Pentium 4 - but you're mostly correct.

You can use this site for an idea of what to expect CPU wise - just search "Atom" at the top and you'll see what it is comparable to:
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php

[oyama82]

plus p4 is more flexible than atom,because atom motherboards are limited to pci(old pci not express)
I would go for the atom for one and only reason:power consumption

[deepblue]

I can't say I agree - I wouldn't recommend anyone go out and buy this processor as a net new purchase for their MAME machine. As Delusional pointed out you can put together a rig for less than $200 that will perform much better. Alternatively (as I said above), hit up Kijiji with your budget and get something a year or two old that performs 3-4x faster CPU-wise than the Atom.

The benchmark on that 230 is lower than my 8 year old P4 2.53Ghz. That said I wouldn't recommend anyone "buying" a P4 either - if you have one gathering dust in the basement however, different story.

[deepblue]

Just get an old Xbox.

I didn't even see this comment, and it is a good suggestion - if you're on a REALLY tight budget, you can usually get an Xbox for 40 bucks with everything you need.

[oyama82]

he had an xbox and he wants to ditch it
with the p4 plus an agp card he can even play street fighter 4
with the atom no
but of course only if he find it cheap,they dont sell new anyways

[ragnar]

I can't say I agree - I wouldn't recommend anyone go out and buy this processor as a net new purchase for their MAME machine. As Delusional pointed out you can put together a rig for less than $200 that will perform much better. Alternatively (as I said above), hit up Kijiji with your budget and get something a year or two old that performs 3-4x faster CPU-wise than the Atom.

The benchmark on that 230 is lower than my 8 year old P4 2.53Ghz. That said I wouldn't recommend anyone "buying" a P4 either - if you have one gathering dust in the basement however, different story.

Craigslist is loaded with many many computers that are Mame worthy that can be had for under $100.

I lucked out and got mine from a relative for free.  Alot of people these days have 5 year old PCs laying around doing nothing and they are therefore almost worthless.

[reptileink]

How does this one sound??

Hp Pavilion a562n
Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz
80 GB hard drive
2 GB DDR RAM
16x DVD(+/-)R/RW (+/-)R DL drive
16X DVD ROM
NVIDIA Gforce 2 GTSvideo
Realteck AC97 audio
Integrated 10/100 Base-T networking interface

Windows XP 2005

guy wants $75

GUYS GUYS GUYS....READ!!!!!!!

I locked up this computer from Craigslist like 3 hours ago, and you guys are still offering up solutions...lol.  I think this rig will suit me fine.....

[deepblue]

Wait - read?
 

Good deal on that one - should suit you fine. You might even be able to overclock it a bitnfor some extra juice.

[kronic24601]

for the money, it looks good to me.

If you upgrade in the future, you won't be out that much $.

[Benevolance]

One of my emulation computers is an htpc running the atom chipset and Windows 7. I bought the system as a media PC, but with console emulation in the back of my mind. I have no complaints about the system at all. I don't emulate any of the current generation systems, since I've got those systems still hooked up, but everything N64 and older runs smooth as silk. I know people like to knock the atom set for its power, but for most games you want to play, those systems are more than adequate.

Personally, though, I have access to enough 'obsolete' computers through home and workplace upgrades, I wouldn't buy a machine for emulation. Grabbing a slightly older system like what reptileink is doing is really the way to go.

[Digital Vandal]

I'm running a P4 3Ghz with 1Gb of ram on 478 board with a geforce 4 graphics card. Works great with mame, snes, nes, megadrive (genesis for those of you across the pond. never did understand the name change) but then I wanted to have every emulator that is possible with maximus arcade (damn you delusional et al having such amazing cabs  ) So i'm now looking at getting a better machine but the I5 and I7 systems, chipsets etc etc are so much more complicated than the previous chipsets. 1156, 1366(?) they both do both i5 and i7 from what i've read but different cpu's and different FSB. which is the best one to go for?!? budget is quite low so advice at the cheaper end of the scale please.