How would YOU set up this system? (to jpac or not to jpac)

[mushmouth]

I have a dilemma which I talked about in a thread called "Should I have bought a jpac?". Essentially, I was going to build from scratch. Ordered the ipac and optipac, and THEN found a cab with a jamma harness inside. My questions was, do I send back the ipac and get the jpac? or is that not necessary? WHAT SHOULD I DO??

So I've decided to lay my stuff out in front of you, have you look at the list, and tell me how YOU would set up this mame system using what I have (or if you'd use the jpac, say so) as well as what else I need to/should buy. My head is spinning. I need some advice...

This cab is built to play the old-school classics. Pre-'88 games, with the exception of Golden Tee.

Here's what I have:

Midway Pac jamma cab converted to Kageki (no board), with the jamma wiring harness and power supply still there. There is a 19" arcade monitor in it, but it has some burn in, don't know if I'll keep it.

Computer:
Pentium III 450mhz board, 328meg RAM
Diamond Viper video card (RIVA (sp?) TNT chip)
Power supply

Want to run under Windows 98se

1 i-pac usb (hasn't arrived yet, will return if j-pac is better option for my situation.)

1 opti-pac usb

3 swappable control panels:
1) Trackball, 5 buttons, 2 start buttons
2) Spinner, fire-top stick, 3 buttons, 2 start buttons
3) Joystick, 5 buttons, 2 start buttons

--Essentially, I'm not locked into a monitor type at this point. Have to buy something either way, so I'll take suggestions considering the setup). Flexibility for a future change of mind in monitor choices should be factored in.

Do I need an arcadeVGA card to run an arcade monitor? If yes, do I need an arcade VGA card if I have a jpac, or just with an ipac? Andy said something about being limited to DOS and Advanced MAME without an ArcadeVGA card... Like I said I'm confused...

I think that's everything. What do you think? What would you use and how would you do it, considering all this?

[Mugzilla]

If I had it to do over again, I would use any JAMMA and a real monitor...

My TV is nice, but I wanted authentic graphics/looks/screen flicker/etc.

My TV makes games look too nice...

[pointdablame]

I too was originally gonna build, and then found a working Xmen cab.  I was still set in my mind to got the Ipac/Optipac route, but I think the Jpac is now the better choice. You can still get the same outcome and can use JAMMA boards if you want to.

I think the Jpac may have fewer inputs, but I could be wrong. Either way, I'd recommend going the Jpac/Optipac/ArcadeVGA route.

The ArcadeVGA is supposedly THE card to get, I don't think I've ever seen a true complaint over one.

[mushmouth]

Pointdablame,

Take a look at my list above for my 3 different CPs. Look at each one, since I'll only be using one at a time. Will I have enough inputs with the jpac/optipac/arcadevga setup you suggest?

[tmasman]

Pointdablame,

Take a look at my list above for my 3 different CPs. Look at each one, since I'll only be using one at a time. Will I have enough inputs with the jpac/optipac/arcadevga setup you suggest?

The J-PAC has 28 inputs... (like the IPAC)
So you wouldn't have any problems with your set-up. (same as 2 player IPAC)

You really should check out The J-PAC page on Andy's site...

It's programmable too (Just like the IPAC)

You would still need a video card that will output 15Khz... The ArcadeVGA or there's also a Trident Video card that some one has written alternate drivers for that will work... (Search google.com, or ask around)