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Arcade Cabinet Mame Conversion - Looking fo good advice before I do anything!
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wonderboy78:
Hey everyone, I'm new here and I want to convert an original standup arcade cabinet into a Mame Machine been wanting to do this for about 10 years now and I was hoping you kind folks could help me with a few questions?  :)

Here's the details of the project:

* I want to keep the original arcade monitor and re-wire it to fit a PC graphics card.

* I want to use the Ultimarc video card because it seems by far the best and easiest option and isn't that expensive.

* I want to use the Ultimarc I-PAC 2 Interface for the same reasons above, to wire the existing joysticks and buttons to the PC

* I want to mostly play the classics and I am not too worried about 3D games (although it would be nice) but would like to be able to still play newer 2D games.

* I just want it to power on and play games through a good Front End

* I want the coin mech to put credits into Mame (is this hard?)

What I'm wondering first off is:

* What kind of PC spec would be ideal? I read a 3ghz Dual Core (Intel) would be really good for old and new games

* When I buy a cabinet, say off ebay, how can I tell if I'm getting a machine that will work with the Ultimarc stuff and also support the resolutions of the games I want to play?

* Would a Lowboy NEO GEO cabinet work okay? Like this: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/151031302506?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

* What is the best software to use for an operating system and front end if I just want it to play games and easily let me put new roms etc on there.

Thanks for your help!
keilmillerjr:
The i-pac has coin1 and coin2 inputs for you to wire to your coin mechanism. Which wire and where? Your better off using the search feature or making a new thread. I'm using a golden tee coin door.

I'm working on fully hiding the windows 8 interface right now. Windows 8 is speedier than previous windows versions. I'm almost done, and will create a how-to when I'm done. Keep an eye out for details here.

I went with an i3 3.1ghz mainly because it is a new age processor that will not become obsolete anytime soon. Intel i series seems to be the best. Was my purchase the best for mame? I don't know. It is definately overkill for 2D games. I'm not sure what 3D games it will play. I'm more concerned with a fast boot. Some one else can probably give better advice. I haven't my setup running yet.

For a front end, I'm probably going to use maximus arcade. It's just a preference. Maybe I'll do a compare and contrast video with different front ends sometime after I finish my "Hiding Windows 8" project.
happyfunball:
well, if you're going to use an existing arcade cab, try to find one that is empty, doesn't work or something along those lines. its usually frowned upon to gut one to turn it into a mame cab, especially if its a classic.

for example, I picked up a Lethal Enforcers cab to convert last weekend. the cab is a litlte beat up but in good shape, it had no game board or controls and the monitor was missing the neck board and chassis. Lethal Enforcers is not a classic and the cab wasn't going to be missed so I don't feel bad repurposing it.

that neogeo looks to be in good shape and functioning so personally, i'd leave it as it is if its an original cab and find something else.
happyfunball:
 i wouldn't go with maximus arcade. its no longer supported and I only found that out after paying for the license. It didn't say anywhere on the site he basically wasn't doing anything with it anymore but the link to give him money still worked. And no response about a refund. Pretty sure I'm not the only one this happened to.


--- Quote from: keilmillerjr on April 25, 2013, 03:32:14 pm ---The i-pac has coin1 and coin2 inputs for you to wire to your coin mechanism. Which wire and where? Your better off using the search feature or making a new thread. I'm using a golden tee coin door.

I'm working on fully hiding the windows 8 interface right now. Windows 8 is speedier than previous windows versions. I'm almost done, and will create a how-to when I'm done. Keep an eye out for details here.

I went with an i3 3.1ghz mainly because it is a new age processor that will not become obsolete anytime soon. Intel i series seems to be the best. Was my purchase the best for mame? I don't know. It is definately overkill for 2D games. I'm not sure what 3D games it will play. I'm more concerned with a fast boot. Some one else can probably give better advice. I haven't my setup running yet.

For a front end, I'm probably going to use maximus arcade. It's just a preference. Maybe I'll do a compare and contrast video with different front ends sometime after I finish my "Hiding Windows 8" project.

--- End quote ---
Dcpmark:

--- Quote from: happyfunball on April 25, 2013, 03:40:36 pm --- i wouldn't go with maximus arcade. its no longer supported and I only found that out after paying for the license. It didn't say anywhere on the site he basically wasn't doing anything with it anymore but the link to give him money still worked. And no response about a refund. Pretty sure I'm not the only one this happened to.

--- End quote ---

A counter-opinion. I and others have had no trouble getting licenses emailed to us within a day or two of paying since January of this year. Further, Maximus Arcade is now affiliated with X-Arcade, and Mameseer is currently working on a new forum for Maximus Arcade. It is an extremely easy to use, powerful, and good-looking frontend, and I have zero problems running it under Win8.

There is more information in the Maximus Arcade forum on this site.
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