Need help selecting computer...

[ericdelee2]

Hello everyone.  I've been looking at different systems people have bought for their MAME cabs and I noticed that everyone seems to use something different (so I expect a fairly similar thing here as well... different responces).

Anyway... I need to know if any of you would be so kind to help me with the specs of the machine I want to build.  I'm not looking to have something powerful enough to run Killer Instinct... or Cruisin USA at full speeds.  I'm needing something that will run the classics without skips and bumps (Pacman, galaga, Space Invaders...) and run a few of the other things like Rolling Thunder, Contra, Baseball Stars... etc.  

I am building a project VERY similar to the following ebay auction:  

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3243197078

But I can't seem to find the items he listed in his specs on any of the sites (like Tigerdirect.com).  Any help would be greatly appreciated.


I don't want to put too much money into the computer (read too much as more than  $400).  So if you can direct me to a few good deals on motherboards and processors in tigerdirect (or other places) ... I'd greatly appreciate it.  

I have no problem putting the thing together... nor putting the cab together as I can pretty much figure that out with all of the stuff I've read on the internet.  I just need help picking the specs for my computer to place in this thing.  


So... it has to be fast... I can't have it bog down on me... and it has to run MAME smoothly.  I'm actually building this in trade for 4 classic arcade cabs and I really want those!  (A galaga, Pacman, centepede, and Battlezone)

Thanks.........

[ericdelee2]

What about the following?  Would it be ok just to buy something like this?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=622363&Sku=E400-T2240%20P&CatId=118

eMachines T2240 / Intel Celeron 2.2GHz / 128MB / 40GB / CDROM / Windows XP Home / Refurbished Desktop PC


If so... what upgrades do you suggest?  Video card? Memory (Memory is something that really confuses me.)

[vishwats]

That is a good price. That can play almost all the games(except those which are discussed as the computer Hogs on other threads) , but the Memory is little bit less if you wanna run windows 98 or xp.
For DOS, that is plenty.
Even if you buy different parts and assemble yourself, you'll end up spending little more.

                   

[ericdelee2]

What kind and how much memory do you think I should order with this?  Memory is a pain in the rear for me to figure out.

[vishwats]

You get DDR 2700 at sams club for 39 dollars, all the new MBs support those these days, however I suggest you to order memory once you get the machine delivered to you.
Check the machine specs to make sure you get the right kind of memory.  

Remember this, you cannot use PC100/133 Memory modules for boards that have DDR memory support and vice versa.

[greywolf22]

A great place to find computer prices and deals of all kinds is...

www.pricewatch.com

Lists various vendors as well as prices for any computer you want to throw together.  For classics, I was able to run all the classics on my Pentium III 1ghz machine with a simple TNT2 Ultra card and 256MB of PC100 memory.  I imagine this is even more powerful then what you really need to run them without a hitch, but that was the lowest machine that I have attempted to run MAME on. But take a look at Pricewatch, there are any number of configurations you can throw together for any budget  

[paigeoliver]

If all you want to play is classics, then you are tossing your money out the window buying a new computer. A 500-800 Mhz computer will play darn near everything in Mame. Even a 350 MHz computer will play most of the games in Mame.

[Lilwolf]

Your not really throwing your money out the window if you buy a little more computer.

Why?

1) Lots of parts are still the same (case, powersupply, ect)

2) The price / performance will always be at whats selling the most.  Usually a computer thats 12 months old (from being the best bad arshe machine)

3) You might always want to add one more game that takes a little more... 19xx is a great game that works well on vertical setups.

4) Whenever I have bought new slow/old machines.. they always seem to be crap.

BUT... I have had luck with some refurbished used machines recently.

And last... if you are building this computer.  Consider going with a VIA motherboard!  They are MUCH smaller and handle the classics fine.  You will not regret it... but pay a little more.  Also look at the ones that doesn't require a fan and that will make the whole thing really sweet!

[ericdelee2]

Well... I guess I might include other emulators in there as well.  You know... typical stuff for NES, Gameboy, Sega... etc.  

I was also thinking of running PS1 games on the cd drive... and also running N64 emulator.  So basically I guess I'll need something more than 'just' to run the classics off of mame.  I do think that I'll play most of them... but I'm always up for a game of 007 or Zelda!  lol

With those games though... I will be using original controls... so I will have a port on the front or something to plug those into.  

[grafixmonkey]

you'll need a whole lot more power to run PS1 and N64 games.  To the point that you'd only use 15% to 20% of the processor to run mame.  It'll bump the price of the system up quite a bit.  (you also might not find a fanless motherboard quite as easily)

[pmc]

While MAME may not require a monster computer for the classics, I got fed to the teeth with Windows-98 and tweaking things to run optimally on an older 400MHz machine. It really needed more RAM and a video card. So instead of putting more money into that...

I just built a very nice 2GHz machine for $360 with an nForce motherboard, great nVideo graphics, onboard sound, S-video out, etc. While it's totally overkill for right now, I think it'll be great for any cabinet friendly game, other emulators, general DVD/jukebox use, and other things too. It'll last more than a year or two too. And I can finally run Emulaxian!

Anyway, my point here is that if you have a little money, I personally would not bother trying to save $50-$100 to get a PIII class machine and run Win98 when you can build a mainstream PC running W2K/WXP that'll do more and go further in the long run. The driver management and other OS features alone makes it worth it to me. And you can use cheaper/used components and build less nice of a box (but similar in capability for $250-$300.

That said, I had to assemble it so you need to know a little something about PCs. You may be better off with a TigerDirect or eBay used or no-name brand. But I'd still suggest you avoid the PIII/Win98 route no matter what you do.

My opinion anyway. YMMV.

[grafixmonkey]

If you can build a 2 GHz machine for under $400, I totally concur with that!   I must be used to buying expensive parts.  I forget the system won't need an audigy2, a geforeFX, and a 200 gig hard drive!

And, yes Emulaxian is definitely cool!