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Newbie Here. First M.A.M.E. arcade cabinet project.
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craig.anderson:
thanks for the responses


This is the desktop I plan on using inside my cabinet. Will these specs allow me to play emulators for the following? Do i need to upgrade anything? RAM? graphics card? sound card? thanks


* atari
intellivision
colecovision
nes
snes
nintendo 64
sega genesis
nintendo gamecube  <---this is probably the most modern one of the list??
mame
neo-geo

*
HP Pavilion p7-1423W Desktop PC:

Key Features and Benefits:
Intel Core i5-2320 processor
3.00GHz, 6MB Cache

8GB DDR3 SDRAM system memory
The black HP - Pavilion Desktop - 8GB Memory - 1TB Hard Drive

1TB SATA hard drive

SuperMulti DVD Burner


10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet, 802.11b/g/n Wireless LAN
Connect to a broadband modem with wired Ethernet or wirelessly connect to a WiFi signal or hotspot with the 802.11b/g/n connection built into your PC

Intel HD Graphics 2000
With up to 4GB graphics system memory

Additional Features:
15-in-1 memory card reader
2 x USB 3.0 ports, 1 x headphone-out, 1 x microphone-in, 1 x RJ-45 Ethernet port, 1 x microphone-in/line-in/line-out, 1 x VGA-out, 1 x DVI-out
1 x MiniCard, 3 x PCI Express (x1) slots, 1 x PCI Express (x16) slot, 2 x external 5.25" bays, 1 x external 3.5" bay, 2 x internal 3.5" bays

Software:
HP Windows 8 Desktop Operating System (Monitor Not Included)
Norton Internet Security (60-day subscription)
HP Recovery Manager included with the HP Windows 8 Desktop Operating System (Monitor Not Included)
craig.anderson:
What is the best pre-made controller panel that would fit this machine? Any guesses?
thanks
craig
stigzler:
Good specs on the PC. You could run higher emulators on that - probably PS2 emulator - PCSX2.

When I started designing/conceptualising 4/5 months ago - mine, too started as 'old skool' - mame, C64, etc

However, as I tried more emulators, also relaised was loving the more modern arcade boards (NAOMI, Sega Model 3 etc) - remebering these machines form the end of my arcade youth.

Don't limit your emulators - you might get the bug. My advice: start off with as high spec as you can get - will also allow you to expand function of your cab in the future. Don't do like me + buy upgrade after upgrade form low spec- in for a penny - in for a pound ;)

craig.anderson:
Thanks.

I will definitely keep my mind open to other emulators?

Do I need a better graphics card or sound card?

Are all off the shelf computers able to have graphic card changed .... just in case I need a new one later on?

Sorry for stupid questions. Im not a computer guy by any means.

thanks
Dawgz Rule:
First, welcome to the forum. 

You did a good job of identifying platforms you would like to play but I would recommend you take it a step further and define the games themselves.  This will help drive the overall design of your control panel.  Your PC specs are fine for everything you want to do but if this is a PC you are purchasing, you can go lower on your specs and still accomplish the same stated goal.  Unless you are on an unlimited budget, you have to decide where you want your investment to be and my recommendation is to invest most heavily in the cabinet hardware.   I say this because it seems as though you pulled the PC specs from a website and to mgb's point, you have to compromise somewhere. 

There are a number for front ends out there and my suggestion is to try as many as you can and decide from there.  Maximus Arcade was my first but it seems to lack support.  I ended up moving to GameEx but you will find there are a lot more.

CRT's are not difficult to deal with at all.  They are heavy.  However, if you want a truly authentic feel, you just can't beat a CRT.  In my world of compromise, this is one of the areas I felt was worth the investment.

In the end, you should always do what is right for you.  Different people have different priorities, goals, and opinions.  The one opinion that is probably universal is that you have to be happy with your build.
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