Which Pc components to run everything?

[Knightlore]

Hi, I'm aware that you can run mame on a pretty basic system.  I already have a bartop running an older version of mame (around 2007/8 from memory).

I was wondering what kind of system it would require to run all emulators including newer "pc arcade" games like Street Fighter 4.  I currently have a spare pc (Saphhire 5850 1gb, Quad-Core 3.4ghz processor, 4gb ram).

I guess this would be massively overkill?  So if I can use something considerably less specced, I'll probablly sell those components, buy something cheaper and make a bit of wonga on the side.

Question is what specs?

Thanks.

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

What's your budget?

Just to list off some cheaper components that would probably run everything just fine:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154095
APEX PC-389-C Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$19.99

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073
$43.99
   

MSI 760GM-P33 AM3 AMD 760G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130559
$54.99
   

HIS H467QR1GH Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161315
$64.99
   

Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033
$44.99
   

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253
$39.99
   

AMD Athlon II X3 450 Rana 3.2GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX450WFGMBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103886
$79.99

Subtotal:   $348.93

Add an OS and you're good to go.
You're probably just as well using your spare system, particularly if you plan on running PC games.

[Blanka]

93% of the games runs on every new system, including a budget 3.x Ghz i3
2% of the games will run smooth cause you have that superduper six-core i7.
5% (including that SF4) of the games will run ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- for a couple of computer-generations.

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

5% (including that SF4) of the games will run ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- for a couple of computer-generations.

I though the recommended specs for SF4 were pretty modest, though I have not run it myself. Is this not the case?

[Knightlore]

Okay guys thanks for the help, appreciated. 


Yup makes sense to use my existing system then.  I was thinking perhaps I could get away with something a little cheaper but this saves me time/hassle of ordering more bits.

[Spock]

I can run most possible games (with the notable exception of some of them crashing (I'm looking at you, Gauntlet Legends)) with a similar setup to that.  Blitz will run just fine, for instance.  The difference is that I have a 3.4 GHz Triple Core AMD that is 15% overclocked.  Clock speed is the most important, it seems, as this actually outperforms my i7 in MAME.

[scofthe7seas]

You'll also need to at least borrow a cd-rom drive, and a keyboard / mouse unless you get a trackball. I personally have an actual keyboard and mouse dedicated to my cabinet because it is really more of a hassle to try and do everything with the CP trackball, or hooking/unhooking a keyboard (it will be needed more often than you think..)
As far as the games go, SF4 will probably be the hitch. That's where the most performance is going to be needed. There are some games that don't run well unless you have a very fast processor (I would recommend a 64 bit OS regardless because it gives a decent FPS bump), but those games run like that because they are not properly emulated. Blitz runs very playable on my modest system, as for gauntlet legends and Mace the Dark age? Screw those games. Mace is not a very good fighter, and gauntlet legends is fun.. for a short while, until you find yourself mindlessly pushing the credit button to continue forever. It's actually more fun when real money is at stake. If you really need gauntlet legends, you could get a dreamcast for not a whole lot. It's really more of a "look how fast my PC will run this poorly emulated game" kind of pissing benchmark. If you wait for the emulation to catch up, those games will run on the same "lower end" Pcs.