Planning a mame arcade build

[keilmillerjr]

I have always wanted a standing upright arcade machine. I am nearing finish of my rotary powered rx7 project, and am looking forward to starting a new project non-automotive related. It is a project and I have a lower income, so it will take me a long time to complete.

I decided mame was the way to go. NeoGeo arcade cards, as well as other multi pcb's, have the awesome benefits of just turning them on and working. However, they don't seem to include all my favorite games.

I have never attempted any wood working before, nor have I ever used mame before. I figured that I would start collecting small items until my car is done, then start working on the cabinet. I settled on having a 2-player setup, as a 4-player configuration would just take up too much space. It will be coin (quarter) operated for home use. The cabinet and overall components should be slim in depth to conserve space in my apartment or garage, without loosing the overhead arcade feel.

Components already purchased
Ultimarc I-Pac 2 controller Has mac utility to create shift functions that are saved to unit memory, and does not forget them after shut down. I can program shift features (such as hitting 2 buttons to translate to a single key that drops a coin) on my mac and run it on linux.

Possible hardware components to use?
Zotac-D2550ITXS-A-E It's tiny and cheap. Website also sells power supplies for them in "micro" sizes. Built in wifi means that I could configure it remotely from another computer, eliminating the need for a dedicated mouse and keyboard. I want it to boot right into mame with no other function under normal use.

Wells Gardner LCD Monitors I know it's not going to be like an authentic crt arcade monitor, but their prices seems reasonable, it's environmentally friendly, slim and fits my needs. Open frame design and vga is a plus. I can't decide on what size should be used. I work on a 27" iMac, but I imagine on an arcade machine your face would be closer to the screen and something smaller would be needed.

Ultimarc Mag-Stik Plus Seems like they are priced decent, and I love the face that the user can switch between 4-way and 8-way just by lifting up and rotating they joystick.

Is a dual coin door required for two players, or will a single suffice? How does that work.?

Possible lighting components to use?
Find a usb powered cold cathode to light up the marquee. I figured that if it were usb powered, it would only turn on when the computer is on. Unless you guys know of a way I can have a usb cable trigger a surge protector to turn on? I wan't one button to have everything turn on, and when the system shuts down hopefully triggered through a mame front-end, everything else to shut off with the computer. EDIT: Something such as this power switch tail combines with a surge protector may work.

Paradise Arcade Shop IL Translucent buttons Seem well thought out and of well quality.

Sparky PWM SMD LED Controller Has a mac app to configure it (I have a 27" iMac) and is tiny. Looks simple enough. I considered the PacDrive, but it requires M$oft Winblows to configure it, and I think it needs to be connected to the winblows computer all the time.

Software
I would like to use ubuntu or xubuntu. Running a core 2 duo mac mini or imac is too expensive for this dedicated build, and I am not running M$oft Winblows.

Use a frontend to launch games that is still being developed, such as QMC2?

Please feel free to comment, give opinions, and steer me in the correct direction.

[BobA]

I have always wanted a standing upright arcade machine. I am nearing finish of my rotary powered rx7 project, and am looking forward to starting a new project non-automotive related. It is a project and I have a lower income, so it will take me a long time to complete.

I decided mame was the way to go. NeoGeo arcade cards, as well as other multi pcb's, have the awesome benefits of just turning them on and working. However, they don't seem to include all my favorite games.

I have never attempted any wood working before, nor have I ever used mame before. I figured that I would start collecting small items until my car is done, then start working on the cabinet. I settled on having a 2-player setup, as a 4-player configuration would just take up too much space. It will be coin (quarter) operated for home use. The cabinet and overall components should be slim in depth to conserve space in my apartment or garage, without loosing the overhead arcade feel.

Components already purchased
Ultimarc I-Pac 2 controller Has mac utility to create shift functions that are saved to unit memory, and does not forget them after shut down. I can program shift features (such as hitting 2 buttons to translate to a single key that drops a coin) on my mac and run it on linux.

A good choice as it is very reliable and used by many.  Support is great.

Possible hardware components to use?
Zotac-D2550ITXS-A-E It's tiny and cheap. Website also sells power supplies for them in "micro" sizes. Built in wifi means that I could configure it remotely from another computer, eliminating the need for a dedicated mouse and keyboard. I want it to boot right into mame with no other function under normal use.

I don't see any mention of Linux in the manual or the driver list.  The only op sys mentioned is Win 7.  There are higher powered processors that are supported in the mini itx format that cost about the same.  The conbo of MB and special power supply costs the same as a processor with much more performance.  Why Mini itx if you are building a thin standup cab?  There should be lots of room for a larger MB and with a larger PS you will have the option of powering your LEDs, Monitor and other accessories.

Wells Gardner LCD Monitors I know it's not going to be like an authentic crt arcade monitor, but their prices seems reasonable, it's environmentally friendly, slim and fits my needs. Open frame design and vga is a plus. I can't decide on what size should be used. I work on a 27" iMac, but I imagine on an arcade machine your face would be closer to the screen and something smaller would be needed.

The format is OK but the cost is excessive.  You can get a regular LCD monitor in the proper format for less than $50.  Everyone has gone large and wide screen so the older LCDs can be had for a song.

Ultimarc Mag-Stik Plus Seems like they are priced decent, and I love the face that the user can switch between 4-way and 8-way just by lifting up and rotating they joystick. 

I like the mag stick plus but some do not like the feel.  The top control of 4/8 way takes some getting used to.  You might want to look at the auto switching 4/8 ways.

Is a dual coin door required for two players, or will a single suffice? How does that work.?

The coin door is your choice.  Some use buttons only and a fake door or no door.  A real door just hooks to your ipac for coin inputs and LEDs can be used to light up the buttons.

Possible lighting components to use?
Find a usb powered cold cathode to light up the marquee. I figured that if it were usb powered, it would only turn on when the computer is on. Unless you guys know of a way I can have a usb cable trigger a surge protector to turn on? I wan't one button to have everything turn on, and when the system shuts down hopefully triggered through a mame front-end, everything else to shut off with the computer. EDIT: Something such as this power switch tail combines with a surge protector may work.

Sorry getting late.  No comment on the lighting related ones. 

Paradise Arcade Shop IL Translucent buttons Seem well thought out and of well quality.

Sparky PWM SMD LED Controller Has a mac app to configure it (I have a 27" iMac) and is tiny. Looks simple enough. I considered the PacDrive, but it requires M$oft Winblows to configure it, and I think it needs to be connected to the winblows computer all the time.

Software
I would like to use ubuntu or xubuntu. Running a core 2 duo mac mini or imac is too expensive for this dedicated build, and I am not running M$oft Winblows.

Use a frontend to launch games that is still being developed, such as QMC2?

Please feel free to comment, give opinions, and steer me in the correct direction.

[keilmillerjr]

Well, last night I installed sdl-mame with qmc2 on my mac just to test things out. Everything so far seems to work! I'm finishing downloading artwork and things now. Also downloaded Mame4iOS Reloaded on myiPad. Still need to set it up. This is my first time using mame! I also purchased ambiance dvd here as recommended in this thread. Really cool. I'm excited to get this project going!

[shponglefan]

When picking joysticks (and other controls) I'd highly recommend buying a couple different kinds that you think will be ideal and then building a small test CP to try them out (same with testing out layouts).  Much better to do that before doing a full build and then discovering you don't like them.  At the end of the day, the cost of a couple extra joysticks or buttons is marginal compared to the overall cost of a build.

[keilmillerjr]

When picking joysticks (and other controls) I'd highly recommend buying a couple different kinds that you think will be ideal and then building a small test CP to try them out (same with testing out layouts).  Much better to do that before doing a full build and then discovering you don't like them.  At the end of the day, the cost of a couple extra joysticks or buttons is marginal compared to the overall cost of a build.

That doesn't seem like a bad idea at all. Great tip!

I mapped some mac os x mame controls to a PS3 controller using Joystick Mapper available in the mac app store. I'll attach the preset I created to this post. Just toss it in your presets folder and reload. I labeled it version 0.1. If anyone is interested, I can add four controllers for multiplayer action.

[Brian74]

When picking joysticks (and other controls) I'd highly recommend buying a couple different kinds that you think will be ideal and then building a small test CP to try them out (same with testing out layouts).  Much better to do that before doing a full build and then discovering you don't like them.  At the end of the day, the cost of a couple extra joysticks or buttons is marginal compared to the overall cost of a build.

+1

[crtrrss]

monitor-wise, you might want to check out my other post: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,130356.0.html

[keilmillerjr]

Here is a picture showing how it is going so far.

Arcade Sounds
NovaMatrix LINX™ LED Marquee Light ( with Drive Cable Power Splitter
mini SLG (scanline generator) by craftymech
I-PAC 2
Mag-Stik Plus
Green Ball-Top handle for Mag-Stik Plus, Long Length
4 black GoldLeaf Pushbuttons.
12 GoldLeaf Pushbuttons.

The gold leaf buttons are whisper quiet, besides the clacking of the plastics. You can not hear the click of the leaf switch unless you stick your ear next to the button. I am very pleased in the quality. It was a toss between these and the ones from groovygamegear. Both looked comparable, but I choose the ones from ultimarc because the leaf switch fits inside the button rather than being mounted outside of it.

The Mag Stik Plus's switching feature works well. It's kind of odd that you have to rotate the shaft to find the "sweet spot" notch where you can lift the handle up. This is going to be difficult for others to do when installed in a cabinet. I'm a little disappointed that the ball top shafts/ball were sold separately.  It's wasteful for the environment as well as my pocket. The green balls also have a casting mark, but its not a big deal. These joysticks work well. They are loud. I am surprised that a company that sells whisper quiet buttons would sell this. I am probably going to swap out the switches with quieter ones. Overall, I'm happy with the product sent.

[yotsuya]

I'm a little disappointed that the ball top shafts/ball were sold separately.  It's wasteful for the environment as well as my pocket.

Yeah. It seems like most vendors are going this route now.

[keilmillerjr]

Finding a 22/23" 4:3 lcd monitor was proving to be difficult. So I decided to get a 27" wide screen and deal with the letter boxing. It should still be large enough to enjoy vertical games as I tested mame on my 27" iMac and it seems decent.

Items purchased:
Acer 27" LCD Monitor VGA DVI-D HDMI | S271HL (factory refurbished to brand new condition)
IT GOLDEN TEE SILVER STRIKE COIN DOOR OVER / UNDER STYLE 2 LOCKS / COIN BUCKET (used, looks to be in very good but not perfect condition)

[kahlid74]

Finding a 22/23" 4:3 lcd monitor was proving to be difficult. So I decided to get a 27" wide screen and deal with the letter boxing. It should still be large enough to enjoy vertical games as I tested mame on my 27" iMac and it seems decent.

Items purchased:
Acer 27" LCD Monitor VGA DVI-D HDMI | S271HL (factory refurbished to brand new condition)
IT GOLDEN TEE SILVER STRIKE COIN DOOR OVER / UNDER STYLE 2 LOCKS / COIN BUCKET (used, looks to be in very good but not perfect condition)

A 22/23" is a bit expensive.  A 21" 4:3 is pretty common though ($75 on ebay - http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEC-MULTISYNC-LCD2170NX-BK-21-MONITOR-W-O-STAND-/271163726543?pt=Computer_Monitors&hash=item3f229e1acf)

[keilmillerjr]

Choosing a premade mac is easy. There are usually only three different options of a specific type of computer.

Building a computer is a whole different ballgame. Can anyone make any suggestions of a motherboard/cpu/video for me? I honestly feel like I have little idea what I should be going after.

[keilmillerjr]

Golden Tee coin door arrived.

[keilmillerjr]

27" monitor arrived.

[dandro]

Looking good  I would rather I had started my build with a ton of parts sitting there, now I just wait on parts.... and wait... lol.....and wait...

[Brian74]

This is what I used when I built my pc.  For the CPU I went with Intel Core i5-3570K BX806237i53570K Processor - Quad Core, 6MB L3 Cache, 3.40GHz (3.80GHz Max Turbo), Socket H2 (LGA1155), 95W, Fan, Unlocked, Retail. For the motherboard I went with  MSI Z77A-G45 Intel 7 Series Motherboard - ATX, Socket H2 (LGA1155), Intel Z77 Express, 2667MHz DDR3 (O.C.), SATA III (6Gb/s), RAID, 8-CH Audio, Gigabit LAN, USB 3.0, PCIe 3.0, SLI/CrossFireX Ready. The ram I got was Kingston HyperX Blu KHX1600C10D3B1/8G 8GB Desktop Memory Module - DDR3, 1600MHz, CL10, DIMM, 240 Pin. The video card is a EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Superclocked 1024 MB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 2DVI/Mini-HDMI SLI Ready Graphics Card, 01G-P3-1463-KR.  The power supply is a Corsair CMPSU-700G Gaming Series GS700 700W Power Supply - 700W, ATX, 140mm Fan, Tri-color LEDs

[crtrrss]

No offense but tmi. It must've taken you a while to type that