More questions: CPU/GPU Power and LED Controllers

[fluentd]

What are the suggestions for what everyone is running for computer power? I would think a dual core could pretty much handle anything Playstation and below? What if I wanted to run Dolphin and try a bit of Wii emulation etc? What kind of requirements are needed for both cpu and gpu?

I am looking into getting an LED controller to add to some of the cool effects for my led buttons but also was thinking of adding some LED accent lighting by using the following:

http://www.amazon.com/Ledwholesalers.../dp/B0040FJ27S

My question is what controllers will be compatible with both my buttons and the led strip?

I saw this product:

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/i...roducts_id=306

but not sure if it is what I need. I would rather go the http://www.ultimarc.com/pacled64.html route as it has plenty of inputs for LED. I plan to have about 30+ led buttons. Any advice?

[Nephasth]

Are your 30+ LED buttons going to be RGB or single color? If they're going to be RGB, you'll need 2 PACLED64s. Also, the PACLED64 can't handle those LED strips, you'll need an LED-Wiz for that. This is how the Beast is setup, 2 PACLED64s for 26 RGB LED buttons, and an LED-Wiz for 8 individually controlled sections of LED strips that I used for cabinet lighting. You can check out how I handled my LED lighting in the Two-Headed Beast project thread linked in my signature.

[fluentd]

the LED buttons are going to be single color no RGB.  So I would only need a LEDWIZ to run all buttons and led strips?

[Mysterioii]

Also, the PACLED64 can't handle those LED strips, you'll need an LED-Wiz for that.

Out of curiosity, why do you say that?  Is the pacled64 purely a 5V device whereas that strip is 12v, or is it an issue of current capacity?  If I ever find time to overhaul my cabinet I will be incorporating some LED strips (already in hand, along with an ledwiz) but because the LED strips can draw some serious current I was already planning to drive them with mosfets and just use the outputs of the controller board to gate the mosfets.  Mosfets are pretty cheap, so if one was dead-set on getting a pacled64 for whatever reason then they could be made to work with the LED strips with a few extra components if you're handy.

Obviously you don't want/need to mess with mosfets if you don't need to, but depending on your needs they're a pretty easy way of using a lower voltage control signal drive +12V (or whatever) at fairly high currents.

[Nephasth]

Also, the PACLED64 can't handle those LED strips, you'll need an LED-Wiz for that.

Out of curiosity, why do you say that?  Is the pacled64 purely a 5V device whereas that strip is 12v, or is it an issue of current capacity?  If I ever find time to overhaul my cabinet I will be incorporating some LED strips (already in hand, along with an ledwiz) but because the LED strips can draw some serious current I was already planning to drive them with mosfets and just use the outputs of the controller board to gate the mosfets.  Mosfets are pretty cheap, so if one was dead-set on getting a pacled64 for whatever reason then they could be made to work with the LED strips with a few extra components if you're handy.

Obviously you don't want/need to mess with mosfets if you don't need to, but depending on your needs they're a pretty easy way of using a lower voltage control signal drive +12V (or whatever) at fairly high currents.

Current capacity. I don't have any experience with mosfets, and haven't researched them. But I do know that 3 outputs of the PACLED64 (by itself) can only handle 1 RGB LED (single RGB LED, not segment of 3) from the LED strips. I'll have to look into mosfets for future projects.

[fluentd]

Anyone with some incite on the computer end?

[Mysterioii]

Current capacity. I don't have any experience with mosfets, and haven't researched them. But I do know that 3 outputs of the PACLED64 (by itself) can only handle 1 RGB LED (single RGB LED, not segment of 3) from the LED strips. I'll have to look into mosfets for future projects.

Oh yeah man, do check them out, they come in handy.  This is one I used a few of in a project I did recently, it can handle up to 60V and 30A, and you can gate them with a much lower voltage.  If you have a controller that you're using for fairly low-voltage outputs like single garden-variety LEDs but you want to use the same controller to drive some high current things like LED strips, relays, buzzers, DC motors etc., just grab some $1 mosfets (and a couple of cheap resistors... google around for example circuit layouts).

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Fairchild-Semiconductor/FQP30N06/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMsrr1kXJis%252bJ24zftF0OaFrghFV5NYryYg%3d

[AndyWarne]

As an indication of how MOSFETs are used, below is the schematic of our nwer version of RGB trackball illumination kit. The inputs are driven by the PacLED64 which supplies a current regulated pulled-to-ground drive signal. The MOSFETs drive the LEDs which are 60mA each.

[Diet_Pepsi]

Anyone with some incite on the computer end?

Your question on CPU/GPU requirements is a bit open-ended.  For example, what MAME roms are you looking to run?

An entry-level dual-core CPU, such as the Celeron G530, or an Athlon II x2, can run PSX and most MAME roms no sweat.  Also, a lot of folks on this forum (me included) have purchased 3-4 yr old (and sometimes older) PC's that can easily accomplish this. 

If you want to run Dolphin, you would want to upgrade to something like a Pentium G860 or an unlocked Phenom II.

Dolphin GPU requirements are a little more tricky -- it depends on more of the specifics of Dolphin that you are looking to run.  The Dolphin forum has some good posts on GPU requirements that can get you started.