Looking for a component-ready graphics card- suggestions?

[Well Fed Games]

OK, so I am not very knowledgeable about PC internals- I can change a video card, or add RAM, but that is about it. Thankfully, all of you are way smarter than me, so I was hoping I could get some input on what components I need to build a PC to satisfy this need:

Homebrew arcade project
-monitor will be a 27" TV, using component signal, 640x480
-controls will be two wired Xbox 360 pads, hacked
-OS will be XP or Win7 (some flexibility here)
-software run will be a homebrew game made with YoYo Games' Gamemaker, as well as MAME (specific games include Mario Bros, Smash TV, Total Carnage, Joust, etc.). Nothing 3D, etc.
-would generally like to build a PC that errs on the side of overpowered for my (fairly humble) CPU needs, using new components.
-will probably be direct mounted into the cab, but I do have spare cases if needed.

I know the big pieces are finding a motherboard and graphics card that play well together and output a solid component signal to the TV.

Any recommendations? Specific links to Newegg, Amazon, etc. are appreciated, as I am definitely uninformed about this sort of thing. A project thread is coming up for this cab soon, but I want to jump on buying some hardware while I have income coming in from my tax season temp job. Gracias!

[Generic Eric]

I would suggest adding a budget cap.

[mike_bike_kite]

Why build a new PC? It doesn't sound like you have any large processor or graphics needs so I'd suggest just buying a cheap 2nd hand PC for under $40 (or just ask around if anyone is chucking one) and then preferably reinstall the OS etc.

What's your game like? is there a video or can it be played on the web? I'm slowly building a cab to play a retro style  arcade game myself. Feel free to play mine - it's moderately good fun.

[Well Fed Games]

I would suggest adding a budget cap.

Hmm. I am assuming I can get everything I need for $300. But really, I am flexible. This is a priority project for me.

Why build a new PC? It doesn't sound like you have any large processor or graphics needs so I'd suggest just buying a cheap 2nd hand PC for under $40 (or just ask around if anyone is chucking one) and then preferably reinstall the OS etc.

What's your game like? is there a video or can it be played on the web? I'm slowly building a cab to play a retro style  arcade game myself. Feel free to play mine - it's moderately good fun.

I want new parts because I want to get as much life out of it as I can, without worrying about how things were used before I got them. For this project I just want to start fresh.

The game itself is currently just a design doc as I learn game creation. It will end up being a windows PC .exe in the end, a twin stick co-op arena shooter, so I don't know if it will be playable on other platforms.

[paigeoliver]

I don't know about YoYo gamemaker, but the non 3D stuff in mame will pretty much all run on a 500 mhz processor (you would have to use an older mame version though). All that stuff was running full speed 10 years ago on hardware that wasn't even new then.

Guess what happens when you hack 2 identical gamepads? They will randomly switch position with each reboot. That is what happens. Any reason why you want to waste $70 worth of gamepads instead of just buying a $30 encoder? Are you afraid of ordering one on the internet or something? Or are you making the mistake of developing your software in a manner that only supports Xbox 360 pads instead of all gamepads (a big mistake for an Indy developer, best way to make the community rip your game to shreds).

Save money on the computer and buy a screen that will take a VGA input, component looks terrible.

Best way to build a project you will be unhappy with is to overspend on the computer, hack some gamepads and then underspend on the display.

Spend that $300 on your display, and use an old cast off computer to run the system. You can always upgrade it later when you finish programming your game.

[Well Fed Games]

Best way to build a project you will be unhappy with is to overspend on the computer, hack some gamepads and then underspend on the display.

Well, the gamepads were $20, and the TV is going to be the monitor... I can never find anything with a VGA input that is bigger than 19" around here, unless it is widescreen, which I don't want to do. I'm not worried about being unhappy with the build.

So, I appreciate the critiques, but anybody have suggestions for a good motherboard/graphics card for my needs? It seems like component out is becoming more rare (and it is hard to tell online which ones have it and which don't), want to grab a good card for it while I can.

[paigeoliver]

Ok, I appreciate your ideas. They are very common beginner ideas.

I have built about around 40 of these things. I approached my earliest projects the same way you did, and they ended up being junk. Spent hours and hours hacking a pair of gamepads that cost (together) more than an encoder would, only to have to rip the whole thing apart because windows doesn't consistently assign the same pad to the same position on reboot. I have hooked games up to TV sets only to have them look terrible and eventually be pulled out of the cabinet. I have overspent on computers that gave no better results than the $40 boxes at the used PC store down the road.

[HaRuMaN]

Just build a regular PC with VGA, and get one of these?

http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PYPBV760-Component-Video-Converter/dp/B0038AER8K

[Malenko]

Ok, I appreciate your ideas. They are very common beginner ideas.

I have built about around 40 of these things. I approached my earliest projects the same way you did, and they ended up being junk. Spent hours and hours hacking a pair of gamepads that cost (together) more than an encoder would, only to have to rip the whole thing apart because windows doesn't consistently assign the same pad to the same position on reboot. I have hooked games up to TV sets only to have them look terrible and eventually be pulled out of the cabinet. I have overspent on computers that gave no better results than the $40 boxes at the used PC store down the road.

Welcome back Chad!

[paigeoliver]

That is the opposite thing of what he needs. Looks like you plug component into that one and it outputs VGA.

Happ controls still makes 27" CRT monitors with 4/3 aspect ratios. Both VGA ones, and CGA/EGA/VGA ones. They do run closer to 500 than 300 though. I am using one of those with the three modes and I must say it is pretty awesome. If you have the means i highly recommend picking one up, it is so choice!

Just build a regular PC with VGA, and get one of these?

http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PYPBV760-Component-Video-Converter/dp/B0038AER8K

[HaRuMaN]

Erp, wrong link, this one is correct:

http://www.amazon.com/LinkStyle-Component-Monitor-Converter-Splitter/dp/B006UAPFGS/ref=sr_1_11?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1330362395&sr=1-11

[Well Fed Games]

Hmm. Thanks, all. I guess I tend to give too much info sometimes, without really explaining the thought processes behind my build. Let me re-phrase the question (and the thread title):

I have a 27" component TV I want to build a MAME cab around. Any suggestions for a good graphics card for this purpose, and maybe a suitable motherboard to house it?

edit: thanks HaRuMan, maybe that is what I need instead... cheaper than a graphics card for sure... anybody else use one of those converters in a cab?

[404]

Going to add PC games to this rig?

If you are on a budget, consider going second hand. You can likely pick up a core 2 duo or am2 based set for a good price these days. This kind of setup would play pretty much anything you throw at it. Look around some of the buy sell trade forums such as hardforums, xtremesystems, ars technica, tech power up etc. There are always guys parting out rigs for good prices all the time there.

As for your component out requirement, i would also recommend going second hand. More modern graphics cards have phased out component out. However, you can still find just about any geforce 7-9 series card with component out or a ATI 3-4 series card with it as well.

[HaRuMaN]

edit: thanks HaRuMan, maybe that is what I need instead... cheaper than a graphics card for sure... anybody else use one of those converters in a cab?

I'm about to use one on my MAME cab, except the one I'll be using is VGA -> Svideo since my MAME cab has a 29" TV with Svideo.

I figured, why buy a video card with S-vid out, since that may be computer specific depending on slot type...  basically all my spare pc's have VGA out.

[Well Fed Games]

And I guess you are all correct on the 2nd hand thing... no reason to build new I suppose if I am not pushing the processors too hard... this is why this forum makes me smarter...

[alfonzotan]

No longer the question I suppose, but just in case:  I picked up a basic socket 775 mobo for my cabinet here for about $20:  http://3btech.net

Got the processor used on eBay for about $50 (2.13GHz Core2Duo).   IIRC, I recycled the RAM and power supply from my parts stash.

[404]

And I guess you are all correct on the 2nd hand thing... no reason to build new I suppose if I am not pushing the processors too hard... this is why this forum makes me smarter...

If you are indeed on a budget and already have a suitable board and don't need (or want) a strong GPU, let me know. I recently acquired a parts stash. Pretty sure there is a pci express nvidia card with component out in there. Pretty sure its a budget card with only 64bit pipelines though. You can have it. Might have some ddr2 ram laying around as well.

[Well Fed Games]

And I guess you are all correct on the 2nd hand thing... no reason to build new I suppose if I am not pushing the processors too hard... this is why this forum makes me smarter...

If you are indeed on a budget and already have a suitable board and don't need (or want) a strong GPU, let me know. I recently acquired a parts stash. Pretty sure there is a pci express nvidia card with component out in there. Pretty sure its a budget card with only 64bit pipelines though. You can have it. Might have some ddr2 ram laying around as well.

I'll take it... worth trying out anyway. PM me info, thanks!

[Green Giant]

Just build a regular PC with VGA, and get one of these?

http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PYPBV760-Component-Video-Converter/dp/B0038AER8K

That is overkill.

All you need is http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041901&p_id=2398&seq=1&format=2

Almost every board has DVI outputs which really opens up computer possibilities.


Personally I would say grab something like this from newegg.  It should have no problem running everything you want including some 3D gaming probably.

[alfonzotan]

Just build a regular PC with VGA, and get one of these?

http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PYPBV760-Component-Video-Converter/dp/B0038AER8K

That is overkill.

All you need is http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041901&p_id=2398&seq=1&format=2

Almost every board has DVI outputs which really opens up computer possibilities.

Ooooo... that is nice.  Verily, Monoprice rules.

[yotsuya]

Just build a regular PC with VGA, and get one of these?

http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PYPBV760-Component-Video-Converter/dp/B0038AER8K

That is overkill.

All you need is http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041901&p_id=2398&seq=1&format=2

Almost every board has DVI outputs which really opens up computer possibilities.

Ooooo... that is nice.  Verily, Monoprice rules.

Son of a.... I bought one of those about 4 years ago for almost $40.

[HaRuMaN]

That is overkill.

All you need is http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041901&p_id=2398&seq=1&format=2

Almost every board has DVI outputs which really opens up computer possibilities.

Note: This adapter only works with the following ATI video cards:
ATI ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON 8500, 8500DV, RADEON
9500, 9550, 9600, 9700 & 9800 series of video cards.

[Well Fed Games]

Hmm. any thoughts on this card? Sold out here, but there are some on Ebay...

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?InvtId=512-P3-N940-LR

[404]

I'll take it... worth trying out anyway. PM me info, thanks!

PM sent.

Note: This adapter only works with the following ATI video cards:
ATI ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON 8500, 8500DV, RADEON
9500, 9550, 9600, 9700 & 9800 series of video cards.

lol, you beat me to it. Basically the adapter has two requirements. One being an ati card with the output select in the cards bios and of course it would require that the DVI output has both DVI-A (Analogue) and DVI-D (Digital).

[alfonzotan]

That is overkill.

All you need is http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041901&p_id=2398&seq=1&format=2

Almost every board has DVI outputs which really opens up computer possibilities.

Note: This adapter only works with the following ATI video cards:
ATI ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON 8500, 8500DV, RADEON
9500, 9550, 9600, 9700 & 9800 series of video cards.

Oh.  Well, that's different.  Never mind... [/emilylitella]

[elkameleon]

I use a geforce 9800GT with component out, but it only works correctly at 480i when you use older drivers(i think they are rev 176), the latest drivers just don't support old ass CRTs, they assume you are running a flat panel by now.

[Green Giant]

That is overkill.

All you need is http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041901&p_id=2398&seq=1&format=2

Almost every board has DVI outputs which really opens up computer possibilities.

Note: This adapter only works with the following ATI video cards:
ATI ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON 8500, 8500DV, RADEON
9500, 9550, 9600, 9700 & 9800 series of video cards.

Devil is in the details I guess.

I suppose I forgot about that stuff.  I guess I must have bought the right ATI years ago since I run a system just like that on my cab.

[Well Fed Games]

I use a geforce 9800GT with component out, but it only works correctly at 480i when you use older drivers(i think they are rev 176), the latest drivers just don't support old ass CRTs, they assume you are running a flat panel by now.

Hmm. will have to keep an eye on that... noob question- are older drivers like that readily available online?

[elkameleon]

I use a geforce 9800GT with component out, but it only works correctly at 480i when you use older drivers(i think they are rev 176), the latest drivers just don't support old ass CRTs, they assume you are running a flat panel by now.

Hmm. will have to keep an eye on that... noob question- are older drivers like that readily available online?

Oh yeah, you should be able to pull them from nvidia's archive.

[Well Fed Games]

I use a geforce 9800GT with component out, but it only works correctly at 480i when you use older drivers(i think they are rev 176), the latest drivers just don't support old ass CRTs, they assume you are running a flat panel by now.

Hmm. will have to keep an eye on that... noob question- are older drivers like that readily available online?

Oh yeah, you should be able to pull them from nvidia's archive.

Cool.