MAME/Steam Box -- Build or Buy?

[Vylrath]

Hi all,

I'm working on my first ever cabinet that I want to use for MAME (and Steam) games.  I've ordered Haruman's 2-player bartop, and am now looking at PC components.  I need something relatively high-end so that I can play some semi-modern space sims and fighters as well as the classics.

Would it be better to buy a premade PC and disassemble it, or buy individual parts that I need?

The PC I'm looking to disassemble is:

http://www.frys.com/product/7939750?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

It's a 3.8 GHz with a GT610 and 8 GB of RAM.  Good enough for, say, MK9?  If not, I guess I'll go the "parts" route.  Just thought it might be cheaper to get a whole box to disassemble!

Sorry if this post is newbish!  I'm still learning ... ;-)

Thanks,
Brian

[05SRT4]

I am not sure how much larger the 2 player Bartop is then the single player. I picked up one of his single player kits and putting a Micro ATX board was really tight with the power supply, amp, cables and everything else.

I would part the PC yourself, usually cheaper and you get a better idea of the size of each component.

[slappyhooper]

I'd say build, but I'm biased that way. I never buy pc components at the same time. For instance, once it gets warmer outside I'm putting together another 1-2 Mame builds. Cost of components is small when you buy as they're discounted. For my next build,
MSI 1150 motherboard.               24.00       (Coupon code +Rebate)
Intel haswell Pentium 3.2 ghz.     58.00       (Coupon Code)
8GB ddr3 ram.                              35.00       (Bought 32 GB over a year ago when it was CHEAP)
Amd 7750 1gb ddr5 card.             62.00       (Coupon Code)
WD black 500GB hd.                     41.00       (Not super hot price, but bought a few months ago when prices got cheap.)
Corsair 430 watt p/s.                   15.00       (20.00 rebate)

Total cost to me is about 235 bucks before OS and the thing will do very well on most games at med/high settings and 1080p. The trick is buying in small pieces and waiting a few months to build.

[wonderalex]

I'd be careful with Steam in a cab.

I was running PC games through AtomicFE without issue until I installed Steam for some new cab friendly indie games, and at first it worked well. However about a month in Steam kept updating (got a wifi dongle and turned that off) then kept asking for username and password (despite being set to never ask) every time I turned on the cab - which made me go get the keyboard, kill the FE, enter my username/password and restart the FE. It was getting annoying, especially when guests were over. Oh let's not forget the occasional "authenticate your PC" (have Steam running on a few different PCs including the cabinet PC) nonsense.

To top it all off? About a month ago I noticed that my cab wouldn't run any PC games through the FE anymore (they run fine outside, with a few issues) and the steam games won't run unless I'm connected to the internet.   

I suspect a Steam update borked my set-up somehow.

So I'm starting over - without Steam.

As for the PC components - go with the build-it-yourself - you'll save money.

WonderAlex

[Vylrath]

Thanks for your input, everyone!

I'll definitely go the "build" route, although it may take some time to find the deals you're mentioning!  I'll be patient.  :-)

As far as Steam goes, you're totally right, it may be smart not to go that route.  There are only a few games that I'm interested in, and it won't be a dealkiller if I can't include them.  I'll stick with TIE Fighter or Freespace 2 if I want a good space sim, and I'll save the Steam stuff for my actual PC.

I didn't think that size would be too big of an issue since I'm putting the parts into the cabinet individually, but I guess that it all still has to fit in a relatively small area!  I'll keep that in mind while shopping.

Again, thanks so much for the help!  Time to do some searching!  ;-)

Brian

[05SRT4]

Here is a look at the back of my single player just as a reference.


Thats minus the the cables and video card.