Mame Pc build advice: Included pcpartpicker list

[aldub516]

Hey, thanks as always for help. Ive included a picture of my cp that is now done with your help, to show that all this advice is going to good use. Im at the point where its time to purchase the pc. I would like to make the purchase within the next day or two, as theres no real reason to stall on it. I didnt want to be lazy, so i picked out as much as i can, to my knowledge. Ive built two pcs recently, but they are for video editing and such, so i only know how to shop for over the top 1300 dollar rigs. I did a lot of research and learned a lot about what mame itself requires, what it utilizes pc wise, and what i need to run gameex/hyperspin type front ends, and all the mame games that will properly run on a system at this time. Money isn't particularly an issue, but theres no need for overkill. But i also dont mind spending the extra money to make sure this baby is going to run smooth for a long time. I was originally thinking 700 dollars, but have seen that most builds in that price range are super overkill?
 
I put together everything so far, minus the big 3: Motherboard, PSU, And GPU. Those are things that i get lost on, as it comes down to hardware details i dont know much about, especially when relating to mame play. Again, id like this machine to be able to handle anything i want to throw at it. I rarely see the ultimarc arcadevga come up in pc threads, is that recomended? Im spending good money on this custom build, and dont want a sub par pc running in it. If theres room for performance improvement, let me know. Thanks for any advice! Ideally i will be ordering/going to microcenter very soon. PC will be running on a 60 inch lcd tv (not my choice nor decision) if that matters in the process of gpu or motherboard.

heres the build
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/aldub516/saved/7kzXsY

[crtrrss]

That might be a bit overkill. Remember that you will be running games that are mostly 20+ years old. You can at least half the RAM and the SSD is overkill. A higher capacity HDD or maybe even a SSHD if you care a lot about boot time is adequate. As for the GPU, I would probably stick to a middle-line NVIDIA or AMD GPU, There's no need for too much power here If you want to run more modern things too, I would go with a nicer AMD card like the 7870. I've had one for years and I have had no trouble running games on maximum with 50-60FPS or better. For the CPU+Mobo, I would probably go with a cheaper FX series CPU and a 970 board or maybe a little better. They're cheap and can handle just about anything. If it can't handle what you want, just overclock the daylights out of it . 

[paigeoliver]

A computer from 2002 that you pull out of the garbage is going to handle 98 percent of what you throw at it, that last 2 percent doesn't actually include a whole lot of games that don't have specialty analog controls that you won't have installed in the first place.

[Generic Eric]

If you are going to use this only for MAME and not some high toned frontend:

Option 1: Set aside $50 and find the best boat anchor of a PC you can, either from the curb, goodwill or craigslist.  Set an margin of acceptable loss/risk if the computer isn't for you.  Make a game out of finding the best PC for that $50.  $50 is about what we pay for a dinner out, or a night out at the movies.

Option 2: Treat yourself to a new gaming PC, use what you are computing on now for MAME.

At the very least you should stop everything right now and figure if what you want to run, will run on what you are using now, to type this post from.  This will give you a loose benchmark to start from.

Option 3: Read my soapboxing about budgeting and building a MAME PC in my signature link.

[JDFan]

AS far as the TV goes -- what is the resolution as that is what determines the GPU power needed figure whether it is a 22" 1920x1080 monitor or a 60" 1920x1080 monitor the amount of GPU usage is the same since it is the same number of pixels being processed they are just being displayed on smaller or larger pixels - so just check the TV resolution and then select a GPU that plays well at that resolution.

For the PC - another place to look would be off lease systems that are refurbished -- you can save quite a bit of $ and figure an older system that comes from a corporation that has upgraded to new systems will have plenty of power for a MAME setup.

[aldub516]

Hey. I would like to say im some what in tuned with pc knowledge, but certainly not near you all, its amazing how much you guys know. As for the heaping old computers found on curbs that can play 80% of what i need, Ive been there done that 100 times. I basically started hoarding old pcs and parts for builds, and i just want to avoid that. I agree, i was able to run gameex and mame on most of the curb pcs i found, but would run into issues with games like Ultimate mortal kombat, never mind anything passed that.  I am building a brand new cabinet and machine for a friend who basically has no real limit financially.. while sure that doesnt mean blow 1000 bucks for nothing, id much rather certainly rather a nice new pc, new technology, kick ass specs. It will indeed be 99.9999% used for mame, but of course he may want to run a jukebox in it, a nice front it be it hyperspin or gameex, video thumbnails, eventually a light gun.. maybe pinball one day. This pc needs to be able to take on what i throw at it for the next few years. Mame games, snes,nes and sega are the basic things tho. Maybe hell want a full media center built in one day. I spent enough time finding drivers for old pcs, and all kinds of other errands.. basically it fell under the " ya cant shine a turd" type of saying. While i understand all the valid points given, theres no reason in my particular case that i cant build a brand new pc. I would agree on the overkill part, which is why i came here for advice. I certainly agree with the ssd being too big, as i just need it for os and apps, i need the quick boot time. I also agree on halving the ram. Basically the build is there, i just need some help on picking a motherboard and processor. Im just concerned with buying a used or craiglist pc, just to have it burn out in his cabinet after a month, or even a year.As for option 1, id rather pay and avoid the game of building a 50 dollar computer. Option 2, my current pc is a 1500$ editing rig, which isnt going in a mame cabinet. And following your soapboxing thread, basically, im building for my budget. which is zero-600$, for whatever will get me what i need to NEVER have a problem playing arcade games with a nice front end ever again. I actually feel somewhat ignorant as far as used pcs go now, so can anyone help point me towards any particular places or builds that look good? Im putting about 1000+ just into the cabinet, since he want a lot of nice touches and a bunch of baller type upgrades, i dont want to throw a 50 dollar refurb job inside the machine. Again, maybe im being super ignorant and you can show me a 200 fully built pc that will blaze through front ends and mame games. Again, this is why im here. To be more specific about games, he nor I are super anal about the games. I dont see him being pissed he cant play a taito game (as ive read they are hard to run), but again, its going in a nice mancave, with a very expensive cabinet and addons being used, id like this baby to shine in anyway. thanks for the help so far.. i included a picture of the build thus far as well.

[aldub516]

i updated the build to reflect some advice, and hope i can finish this off. I added a mobo and psu, although they were more randomly picked to get an idea of final price. Im at 470$ right now, which is great considering i basically have everything i Need. With this 2nd build now, any input ?
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/aldub516/saved/hMTrxr

[Generic Eric]

You should be able to play all of the games.  Good luck. 

I think amazon has a deal on crucial parts.  You should look at those quick.

Can you get all of that in for $470? Is that after coupons or do you have some of those parts?

[aldub516]

Ok, this is rather embarrassing.. The last build I linked, is my personal PC build from a while
Back saved in my pcpartpicker account.. THAT would indeed be overkill lol. Sorry!! I looked at it,
Saw different parts and thought you had edited it to make
A joke on me lol. Here is the correct list I meant link!
Sorry

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/69XQwP

[crtrrss]

That is a much more reasonable build for MAME. Your PSU might be a bit much, but if you feel that the 80+ Gold is worth it to you, go for it.

[aldub516]

I don't know much about psus besides the fact that when I built my PC for personal use, my buddy told me to go with gold.. If you guys advise me that I'll have no problem
With a less powerful bronze Psu, I'm all for it. As for that CPU and motherboard, as I said I picked it
Pretty randomly just to get a price idea, and to give you guys something to advise for or against. I just don't know how mame and front ends utilize certain things so I'm lost on the CPU.

[crtrrss]

Bronze isn't "less powerful". The 80+ Cert mostly measures efficiency, not power. Unless you want to save a few watts, then it doesn't make a difference. 80+ Gold won't help much unless you're running a server.

[aldub516]

i shouldve said "reliability", not power. I shall then downgrade to bronze and save quite a few more bucks. Last advice or pics for cpu and mobo?

[crtrrss]

Not really. There's not much more that you need besides what you have. Good luck man.

[Rabidgamer]

If it's just for Mame you could probably swipe an old computer your office is throwing away or you find at the side of the road and save a few coins.

I wanted to be able to play Injustice and the new Mortal Kombat coming out so I grabbed a new geforce 750ti for my bartop. (mid range card that will work with 250-300watt powersupply)

[keilmillerjr]

My arcade build is overkill for mame and plays every steam game I've tried exceptionally well so far besides mortal kombat Komplete edition. All street fighters on steam play well on high settings. 2.7 ghz i3-2100 running built in video 4gb ram and 1tb hd. Hyperspin works flawless too.

Total build minus stand and bluetooth/wifi card cost me $350.

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

[Wilimnot]

I just bought a PC on eBay and it should be a steal at the price, just have to get the arcadevga 5000.