Starting my first build. Need some advice.

[superbike81]

I'm going to build a bartop arcade cabinet using some old computer stuff I have. It will double as an entertainment center for my son to watch shows and movies on as well so it's going to be slightly larger than some I've seen, but still going to try to minimize the size.

I want to be able to run essentially all emulators and some PC games at decent settings, so I'm using the following parts:

Micro-ATX motherboard w/ AMD Phenom 955 x4 Black Edition and 4GB RAM
500GB 7200rpm notebook HDD
500 watt power supply
Radeon 5770
Logitech 2.1 speakers
19" Dell 1280x1024 LCD



Going to try to fit all of that into something that can fit on a end table, but we'll see.

Where I need advice is on controls. I'm computer savvy, I can build them, fix them, etc, but I'm not good enough to do some of the stuff I've seen on here and I hate soldering, so I'm looking at this kit:

http://www.xgaming.com/store/arcade-parts-and-accessories/product/two-player-build-your-own-arcade-bundle-pcb/

Is this a decent deal? I like that it's all basically plug and play. I want different colored buttons though, just to make it a little brighter and more attractive for my son (he's two years old). Should I piece together my own kit? I'm trying to keep this on a tight budget though, so keep that in mind please.

I'm also open to any other suggestions. Thanks!

[oskywawa]

I just built a 4-player control panel with parts from ultimarc.com.  You might just check out their stuff and see if you could put together a similar kit for a similar price.  My guess would be that some of the stuff in that bundle may not be the greatest quality, but for a young kid it might be just fine.  $89 seems reasonable, but I'd suggest checking out the options at ultimarc to put your own more colorful set together and compare.  As I recall the buttons ran around $2-3/ each,and the joystick prices can vary.   

You can see my build here if interested!  www.arcadebuild.com

[BadMouth]

IIRC, the X-arcade board is a little more of a PITA because it uses multiple grounds instead of just daisy chaining one ground accross all your buttons.

Check out the offerings of:
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/
http://www.ultimarc.com/
http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/en/

All good vendors who post on this board.

Vigo also sells interfaces with wires pretty cheap here:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,114744.0.html

[paigeoliver]

You are going too big on the speakers. Putting a subwoofer in a tiny enclosure with a hard drive is a great way to kill the hard drive.

Also  the PC gear you bought is total overkill. It is far more powerful than what is needed for a general emulation computer. Just about anything you would want to emulate was running full speed 10 years ago on 12 year old hardware. Sure there are exceptions, but most of the exceptions still don't work right or require analog controls that you don't have. That pc will be outdated before your son is old enough to play PC games.

You don't have to solder anything, you can do it all with crimpers and quick disconnects.

Generally if you are trying to build a good project on a budget think about this order for priorities.

#1. Controls.
#2. Display
#3. Computer.

[shponglefan]

It's pretty easy to put together a basic control panel yourself.  All you need is an interface (IPac or Keywiz are good options), buttons, joysticks, and wiring.  There are a lot of button and joysticks out there, but regular HAPP buttons and HAPP super joysticks will be a decent budget setup.

And using quick disconnects with the wiring eliminates any need for soldering.  There are also wiring harnesses available.

[BadMouth]

Also  the PC gear you bought is total overkill. It is far more powerful than what is needed for a general emulation computer. Just about anything you would want to emulate was running full speed 10 years ago on 12 year old hardware. Sure there are exceptions, but most of the exceptions still don't work right or require analog controls that you don't have. That pc will be outdated before your son is old enough to play PC games.

So you'd prefer he use an outdated pc, but warn that the PC will become outdated too soon?

No such thing as overkill in this hobby unless you have no interest in games made after 1995.
When building from scratch, why spend not spend an extra $50 on a processor fast enough to run Tekken & NFL Blitz?
(not to mention all the great NAOMI fighters and shmups using Demul or Makaron)

The OP said "I want to be able to run essentially all emulators and some PC games at decent settings"

[shponglefan]

^ This.  Plus it's also a moot point given the OP has already purchased the hardware.

[paigeoliver]

So you'd prefer he use an outdated pc, but warn that the PC will become outdated too soon?

No such thing as overkill in this hobby unless you have no interest in games made after 1995.

Yes, the PC is super high spec for emulation, but will be outdated as a PC  gaming rig before the target player is able to play a PC game.

1995 isn't really the target date (some much newer stuff than that will run on a 1 ghz processor). It is emulation of 3D platforms is what requires hefty hardware. The vast majority of the games on 3D platforms require a variety of specialty analog controls that "Bob asking for advice" isn't going to have.

[superbike81]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I checked those other sites and you are right, I put together a kit myself for about $10 more than that kit.

The speaker system I'll admit was wishful thinking on my part. Like I said this is going to also be my son's mini entertainment center so he can watch his shows and movies as well. I was also looking at a much more simple setup of two USB powered Logitech speakers that sells for $12.99 locally.

The computer spec I know is a bit much for most emulators but I figure it will come in handy when running PCSX2 and other similar ones. I didn't "buy" any of the hardware specifically for this project as it is all stuff I had sitting in my storage bins for the last 6+ months not really knowing what to do with it all. To be honest I just discovered that people build their own arcade cabinets two days ago. So this is all very new to me.

Maybe I can connect the subwoofer from the speakers externally. I'll have to see how it all works out. I can't start the build for a couple weeks anyways.

Anyone used arcadeemulator.net to buy parts from?

Again thanks for all the advice!

[PL1]

Anyone used arcadeemulator.net to buy parts from?

That's Divemaster127's site.  His B/S/T thread is here.

Gary's a good guy who runs the site as a side business.

He usually packs and ships orders on the weekend.

His shipping is less expensive than ordering direct from Suzo-Happ, and he has some Happ products not listed on arcadeemulator.net. (PM him for inquiries on specific products)


Scott

[superbike81]

Thanks for the info, I placed an order with him for the following:

Ultimarc I-PAC 2 Interface
2x Universal Joysticks
18x GoldLeaf Pushbuttons (gotta have somewhat quiet operation to keep my wife happy)
1 & 2 Player Pushbuttons

This should be enough to get me started.

Hopefully he gets my request and ships it Priority Mail or else it will take a month to get here (I'm in the US military living in Japan).