Completely computer-illiterate n00b asking for PC build recommendation...

[Deek510]

Hi everybody,
I've been lurking these boards for probably a few years now. I REALLY want to get started on my cabinet build (most likely a 4-player cab), but I want to get all the hardware and software up first. Currently I'm on a mac (so can't use this) and I'm looking to get some specs on a pc build. As stated in the subject, I'm completely helpless when it comes to building computers. If any of you guys would be kind enough to help me out with a list of recommendations, I would be so grateful. I've really not wanted to ask this question because it feels like I'm saying, "hey guys, figure this out and tell me what to build", almost cheating... but through all my searching, I haven't really found what I'm looking for. 

Now that that's out of the way.. I plan on using Hyperspin and mostly playing older games, but I'd like the option of running anything smooth; SF4, MK6, etc, so I'm planning on getting a video card. Shooting games would be a plus but definitely not a necessity, I'm looking more for 4 player games than anything else. I'm not saying money isn't an issue, I'd definitely like to keep it as cheap as possible, but I'm willing to spend money. Hopefully I don't get roasted for being so clueless, I just came to a breaking point of frustration trying to make sense of it all 

Any input is appreciated. Thanks again.
-David

[hypernova]

If you're willing to spend "money", we need "money" to be defined.  The newer games will need something a little heftier on the power, which of course translates into a higher price, as you'll need the processor and video cards to handle them.

[Deek510]

I'd like to keep it under 1000, but I'd probably go up to 1500 before I tap out.

[shponglefan]

You should be able to put together a more than able system for between $500-1000.

Heck, I'm using a 5 year-old PC and can run SF4 and MK9 without any major hiccups.

[SpatzST]

Hi everybody,
I've been lurking these boards for probably a few years now. I REALLY want to get started on my cabinet build (most likely a 4-player cab), but I want to get all the hardware and software up first. Currently I'm on a mac (so can't use this) and I'm looking to get some specs on a pc build. As stated in the subject, I'm completely helpless when it comes to building computers. If any of you guys would be kind enough to help me out with a list of recommendations, I would be so grateful. I've really not wanted to ask this question because it feels like I'm saying, "hey guys, figure this out and tell me what to build", almost cheating... but through all my searching, I haven't really found what I'm looking for. 

Now that that's out of the way.. I plan on using Hyperspin and mostly playing older games, but I'd like the option of running anything smooth; SF4, MK6, etc, so I'm planning on getting a video card. Shooting games would be a plus but definitely not a necessity, I'm looking more for 4 player games than anything else. I'm not saying money isn't an issue, I'd definitely like to keep it as cheap as possible, but I'm willing to spend money. Hopefully I don't get roasted for being so clueless, I just came to a breaking point of frustration trying to make sense of it all 

Any input is appreciated. Thanks again.
-David

not sure if you want to get a dedicated computer for your cabinet, but I have a Macbook Pro and I just installed Windows with bootcamp, its super easy if you have a windows disc.  You can have both windows and OSX running on the same machine.  Cheaper than buying a new dedicated PC assuming your mac can handle it.

-chris

[big10p]

You shouldn't need to go crazy (price-wise) on a PC for MAME. I recently got a £400 (~$670) PC for MAME and it runs everything I've tried so far, silky smooth - and that's with HLSL shader effects on. It's core i3, 8GB mem with nVidia GTX750ti (1GB). I read that getting an Intel-based PC with lots of VRAM, is the way to go, for MAME.

[keilmillerjr]

1 x Seagate SV35.6 Series ST1000VX000 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Surveillance Hard Drive
$89.99

1 x CORSAIR CXM series CX430M 430W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
$29.99

1 x CORSAIR Vengeance 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ4GX3M1A1600C9B
$49.99

1 x Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz LGA 1155 65W Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I32100
$119.99

1 x Foxconn H61MX LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
$44.99

-$10.00 motherboard/processor combo

Total: $324.99

Setup is quick. Plays hyperspin without a hiccup. Plays blitz 188.93% and gauntleg 248.59%. On steam, the new street fighter games look amazing. Mortal kombat Komplete looks like ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---, and has to be run on extremely low settings. A graphics card is needed if you want that game to shine, but it's playable without. Save yourself the rest of your money. You don't need to spend $1000-1500.

Benchmarks: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,133583.msg1376327.html#msg1376327

[Dungeonsdeep]

Hi everybody,
I've been lurking these boards for probably a few years now. I REALLY want to get started on my cabinet build (most likely a 4-player cab), but I want to get all the hardware and software up first. Currently I'm on a mac (so can't use this) and I'm looking to get some specs on a pc build. As stated in the subject, I'm completely helpless when it comes to building computers. If any of you guys would be kind enough to help me out with a list of recommendations, I would be so grateful. I've really not wanted to ask this question because it feels like I'm saying, "hey guys, figure this out and tell me what to build", almost cheating... but through all my searching, I haven't really found what I'm looking for. 

Now that that's out of the way.. I plan on using Hyperspin and mostly playing older games, but I'd like the option of running anything smooth; SF4, MK6, etc, so I'm planning on getting a video card. Shooting games would be a plus but definitely not a necessity, I'm looking more for 4 player games than anything else. I'm not saying money isn't an issue, I'd definitely like to keep it as cheap as possible, but I'm willing to spend money. Hopefully I don't get roasted for being so clueless, I just came to a breaking point of frustration trying to make sense of it all 

Any input is appreciated. Thanks again.
-David

Deek, as everyone has stated. You don't need a crazy powerful PC to play MAME. Now, as far as newer games go, yes you will need a boost.

This would be my suggestion. Go on craigslist and search "gaming pc" or "gaming computer" and you will find a lot of custom built PCs with good components that people are either trying to get rid of because

a.) they need the cash (for a lot of people, their pricey gaming computer goes for cheap before anything else I have noticed)

or, b.) they are these kind of dudes that always need the latest hardware and upgrade every 3 months (My PC has been going strong for 5 years, albeit I don't play many new games on PC).

I wouldn't be surprised if you scored a PC for 300-500 bucks.

Make sure you don't try and buy a "NEW" rig...these are just guys that buy parts, build the PC and try to sell it for a profit (if you had that much interested in a custom PC...wouldn't one just build it themselves?  )


Honestly, if I were you, I would just ditch the concept of playing those newer games and save the headache. You can built a MAME cab for next to nothing if you are savvy.

[MaxAsh]

+1 for the craigslist shopping plan. I've recently picked up an older "gaming" quad core rig off there for $80. Granted, I'm pretty sure the guy was really strapped for cash since I talked him down from $175. The thing had (2) 1TB hard drives, an older GeForce 9800 GT, 600W thermaltake PSU, 6GB RAM. I picked up a similar machine for my parents for $130 a month or two before that. If you look hard and aren't afraid to haggle, you can find some really good deals.

[Deek510]

The tough part about going the Craigslist route is that I'll be sifting through a million different builds and like the subject shows, I'm an idiot when it comes to what I'm looking at with computer parts. I'll probably just go through some of these recommendations and bump them up a few to make sure everything is solid   

I appreciate your input guys 

[ark_ader]

Get a modded xbox and four kade encoders.