Direct Question ... Is this suitable for mame ?

[PedroSilva]

Hi,

Is this PC
http://www.ruadanet.com/prod_descricao.php?ident=55
with this card
http://www.ruadanet.com/prod_descricao.php?ident=395
or this one
http://www.ruadanet.com/prod_descricao.php?ident=392

suitable for mame (windows version) + MameWah, or should I extend the budget with anything else ?


Thanks


PS ... I know ... I know ... it's in portuguese ... but easyly understandable regarding the characteristics ...

[TalkingOctopus]

That will be more than enough.  I use a pentium 3 and a radeon 7500 in my cab and I have no complaints.

[Mugzilla]

Are you in the US? Are you buying this from Portugal?

Buyer beware!

I would check pricewatch myself...

[paigeoliver]

I wish we had a sticky post somewhere at the top that just said as the title.

"A 500 MHZ computer will run 90 percent of the games in Mame - NT"

 

[grafixmonkey]

I wish lots of things were in a sticky post at the top...

But, what exactly is it about "FAQ" that makes people not ever read it?      

(not talkin' bout you pedrosilva, I don't think that info is in the faq)

[PedroSilva]

Thank you guys ... you've been very helpfull ...

I have already bougth everything else but the PC and I have already spend a loooot ....  
So I didn't want to spend much on the PC.

Regarding your question Mugzila, yes I'm buying this not from Portugal, but in Portugal   I'm from here (there) ...
Why ? Do you thing that it's expensive ? Delivery is free  

[Spaced Invader]

As stated above that computer is more than adequate. The onboard graphics should be OK for MAME as well, assuming you are using a monitor and don't want to run high end games on it.

If you plan on using TV out you are best off with the Radeon. I have both a geforce 5200 and a radeon 7500. tha Radoen gives a better TV picture hands down.

Just my two cents.  

[PedroSilva]

Thanks Spaced .... You've been realy helpful ... your comment was my next question ... and yes ... I'm goingo to use a TV set  ... this one actually

http://www.sanyo.es/fitxa.asp?pId=21

I'll get the radion then  

By the way ... is XP home edition OK for this machine ? It works fine on the other one I have (P4, 2.4, 512 Mb, 40 + 60 Gb disk, Ge force 2 64 Mb)

Thanks

[Lilwolf]

btw, I couldn't get your link working... (too many connections) so I'm not sure what the speed machine you are talking about... but...

The price difference (in the US) for machines are VERY similar.

Motherboard combos on pricewatch.  
$117 for a 2.6ghz athlon...
$76   for a 2.1ghz athlon
$76   for a 1.4ghz athlpn
$80   for a 1.1ghz athlon

get the drift?  You will get the best price / performance out of what is being mass sold...  I think the 2.6 is the best deal... but if you are going cheap... the 2.1 is the best to go with.

All the other components will be the same (almost)..

but even then... the memory is similar...

256mg memory chips (good size for a mame machine if you want to run later games)
pc4200 - 140
pc4000 - 73
pc3700 - 58
pc3500 - 38
pc3200 - 34
pc2700 - 28
pc2400 - 38
pc2100 - 28
pc1600 - 38

Slower then that the prices go UP

So getting a machine that can take 3200 or 3500 is only a few bucks more... faster... ... But going 3700+ and you will start paying for it.

So if you are buying NEW... its usually best to find whats mass produces / sold

When buying NOS (new old stock) or warranty repairs..  Then you can find some good deals..  

I wouldn't go used unless its your own.  Why?  They don't last forever.

If its your own...ALWAYS try to use it!  Why?  Why not!  You will appreciate it if you end up upgrading... You will not spend ANY money... And you WILL get all the classics working!  There isn't a reason not too.

But you CAN get 90% of the games running on a 500mhz celron.  See if you care about the others.  Heck I think I had a 233 working with all the cps2 games using other emulators... You just have to play with the settings / emulators / os's..

And don't use XP unless you are going for a fast processor (2ghz+) It takes more resources and is designed for faster computers.  98 will work better for you on slower machines.  (and Dos for 450's will get another 100-400 games running full speed)

Last...When you think of the total price of a project... The computer is usually one of the cheapest parts...

[PedroSilva]

Hi Liwolf,

Thanks for your tips. The PC is:

DEVIL - Computador Desktop C2000 - C2.0 GHz
CARACTER

[tiggertoo]

$380 seems pricey.

In april I put together a system for each of my sons:

AMD 2.6ghz and motherboard
512mb of ram - 333mhz
Geforce TI4200 with tv in/out and 128mb
A new case with 350 watt power supply

All that for about $400. Granted this is without the drives, but those are cheap.

The only thing is, since you're in Portugal, that's probably a good deal. I dunno. I just wanted you to have something to compare to.

Good luck with your purchase!

[SirPoonga]

MY PIII 500 is getting outdated by mame rather quickly.  I want at least a 1.4Ghz now for mame.

[PedroSilva]

Hi,

Found another interesting one:
http://www.miau.pt/leiloes/leilao.jsp?offer_id=838772

Need hints to choose between this one and the other one posted before.

Thanks.