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Ideal Emulation Rigs?

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DillonFoulds:

Yeah, aforementioned reasoning is why I plan to run Dreamcast (Blitz, Gauntlet Legends) and other consoles.

I think Intel may be an option, but I'm not up to date with the latest CPU offerings myself. I'd ideally like to see a rig in the 300 dollar range that's just mobo, cpu, ram, and hdd (unless video cards actually matter for this, then bump it up to 350-400).

I'd be looking to order 4 of these setups, so I'd be curious as to the best bang for the buck.

LeedsFan:


--- Quote from: DillonFoulds on November 09, 2010, 08:01:21 pm ---I think Intel may be an option, but I'm not up to date with the latest CPU offerings myself. I'd ideally like to see a rig in the 300 dollar range that's just mobo, cpu, ram, and hdd (unless video cards actually matter for this, then bump it up to 350-400).

--- End quote ---

You will need a video card for some of the emulators such as Project64. I don't know too much about other emulators but I looked into Project64 and they say that you need a card that support pixel shading 2. Given that even cheap cards like the Radeon 5570 I mentioned earlier support pixel shading 4 then you will be OK there.

I'm building a similar project to you right now but I want to be able to play modern PC games too. I also need a low profile card and the 5570 ticks that box also. With that card I won't be able to get max settings with AA etc. on a lot of PC games but it will play medium settings without AA on just about anything. I'm happy with that as it will be used mostly for Emulation with Hyperspin FE.

I wouldn't trust onboard graphics at all. Intel's new chips have a built in GPU but from what I hear it's pretty basic. I was gonna get the i5 661 and go with onboard but for the price of a medium entry video card I decided to buy one. AMD on board graphics is better than Intel's I believe. But I'm not au fait with recent Athlon chips to be honest.

Rabidfool:

For a mame cab computer using a tv how do you think this would fare....

http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4111742&Sku=E145-9504

1g, s video and under $70.
Opinions?

DillonFoulds:

Okay, getting closer to purchase date for these 4 machines. Two questions left.

1. Do I need to go with 2 sticks of ram? I see all these 2x1gb or 2x2gb ddr kits around. Do I actually need to pair ram sticks now, or am I fine with say, 1x2gb stick?

2. On-board video vs a pci-e card. Obviously for MAME this sin't much of a factor, but will dreamcast emulators, or N64, or even possibly the Dolphin emulator benefit from a dedicated video card rather than the onboard?
Specifically, the Radeon HD3000 that is integrated on this mobo versus say a radeon 4650 for an extra 50$ (ballpark)?

nick3092:

In general DDR memory performs better in dual channel mode (pairs). How much better can vary depending the application. Unless there is a significant price savings, just get them as a pair.

As for the videocard, if your looking to run any modern systems, onboard video won't really cut it.

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