Help! Converting a Showcase Cab to MAME

[supergwario]

I'm looking to get a showcase cab in the near future and convert it to play mame.  I had a setup before with a 27" computer monitor i found but it recently died so I'm looking to upgrade to something bigger.  I have a question though, if I get a showcase jamma cab can I just install a jpac and then connect my monitor cable and be ready to roll or is it necessary to purchase the arcade VGA.  I have pretty decent video card already that runs street fighter 4 smoothly and would like to keep it.  That leads me to the next question will I be able to play newer games like Street fighter 4 on the showcase monitor?  Thanks everyone for the help!

[DCsegaDH]

You need a decent graphics card, I have a Geforce 9500gt and it plays SFIV perfect.

[supergwario]

I currently have a great card that plays street fighter 4 with no issues but I was just worrying about using that card with the jpac and an arcade monitor.  This is the card i have right now http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150482

[DCsegaDH]

Okay, sorry my fault I didn't read it right.

[Jack Burton]

It depends on what type of monitor is in the showcase cab. 

If it is a 31khz monitor then you will be able to use your current graphics card.  It could even have a VGA connector on the back of the monitor.  In that case all you do is set your computer's resolution to 640x480@60hz and everything will be fine.

If it is a 15khz monitor then you will need to either set up a program called Soft 15khz or buy an arcadeVGA.  Since you already have a nice video card that you want to keep you'll want to read up on Soft 15khz and how to use it in conjunction with an arcade monitor. 

Neither of these options will allow you to play Street Fighter IV in HD.  If you want HD then you will need to install an HD monitor. 

I have seen some projects that did this and they seemed to come out very well. 

[supergwario]

Awesome, that gives me some insight.  I am just toying with the idea of going this route or I found a 32 CRT with hdmi but it's 16:9 and i wasn't too crazy about that. I'd rather have 4:3 than 16:9.  I'm not sure what type monitor it has yet though, I'm still kind of on the hunt for one.  As far as HD for SFIV as long as it plays it doesn't have to be in hd.  Thanks for the help.