computer question

[UFO8MyCow]

I was looking into useing hyperspin  and I read somwhere thet they recomended a minimum of a  p4 with 2gb ram and I looked into getting more ram for the current setup but i would need to buy 2gb for $100. I have another computer that I can use but I am not sure if it would be any faster

The first is the one I am currently running
motherboard is a asrock p4i65g
http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=P4i65G
Processor pentium 4 3.06ghz dual core and 1gb ram

the other is currently my desktop machine
motherboard asrock ALiveNF6P-VSTA
http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=ALIVENF6P-VSTA
Processor AMD athalon 64x2 dual core 4000+ 2.11ghz with 2gb ram

[RayB]

Average retail price for 2GB of RAM these days is under $50

[UFO8MyCow]

Not for DDR 400

[smalltownguy]

Between those two rigs, I'd stick with the P4 3.06 - the faster single core CPU will perform better for MAME, and paired with a matched set of DDR ram (to take advantage of the dual channel memory option) you should be able to run Hyperspin OK.

Sure the dual core CPU might be better (and newer) for some things, but MAME's activity is still mostly single threaded. I don't think the MAME devs are taking advantage of dual core processors yet.

The 3.06 HT will run hotter, though, make sure you have adequate cooling. My P4 3.2 HT would reboot constantly until I completely decased the mobo, mounted it to the side of the cab, and put a more robust fan on it. Use Arctic Silver for the heat sink if you have it.

Yes, 2 gigs of DDR 400 RAM will run you about $50-75, used. New, probably closer to $100. Why is is more expensive than newer RAM? Supply and demand. Boards supporting DDR400 RAM had a max capacity of 2 gigs, so that's the top end of that technology. Thus, it's commanding top price. eBay should be a good place to look.

Have you tried running Hyperspin with 1 gig of ram on that setup?

[Vigo]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231039

Newegg has 2gb of ddr 400 for $66.00

[HaRuMaN]

I was just about to post that same exact link...

[UFO8MyCow]

I am running it on the p4 now but I am useing maximums arcade, when I tried to run hyperspin it was pretty twitchy. I think I am going to stick with maximus and the p4 and just pick up the ram down the road when money isn't so tight.

[Vigo]

Don't blame you for that. Christmas Season, rough economy, sometimes the best option is to just tighten up the belt and make do with what you have. 

[abispac]

I have an old pentium 4 single core 2.0 ghz, 512 ram and 128 mb ati card. hyperspin runs just fine, i set up hyperspin at the lowest quality resolution and that seems to do the trick, as for mame , moset regular games run good, ecept for thos like tekken or killer instinct, those run choppy.