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Author Topic: What PC Specs for dreamcast?  (Read 1328 times)

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Demon-Seed

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What PC Specs for dreamcast?
« on: February 10, 2015, 07:00:20 am »
Hey
Looking to have hyper spin machine connected to my tv via HDMI with Dreamcast, Sega Naomi down working at fully playable speeds. I have been told a Core 2 Duo intel chip at 2.4 or higher would work? I also was considering one of those mini computers or a refurbished laptop. Dellrefurbished has i5 laptops with 4gb ram, 512 nvidia for 375...not sure if those work?...I have been out of the computer spec game for 10 years so I am at a lost in regards to chips, boards, video cards etc... any recommendations for a budget build?

thanks
jim
« Last Edit: February 10, 2015, 07:04:43 am by Demon-Seed »
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BadMouth

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Re: What PC Specs for dreamcast?
« Reply #1 on: February 10, 2015, 09:24:48 am »
Depends on what emulator you're using.  I was running Dreamcast games with an old version of NullDC on a 2.8Ghz AMD Athlon X2 & 8600GT years ago.
Currently I'm running Demul for Naomi games on a 3.4Ghz X3 and 9800GT.  It just barely squeaks by for some games.  I'm actually running the shmups in Makaron because I was experiencing occasional slowdown in Demul.  Newer versions of Demul require a directx11 capable card.
Not sure what you mean by 512nvidia, I assume memory which isn't as important as power.
i5 also means nothing if you don't mention the speed.

The newer intel processors do more per Ghz than my old Athlon processors, but here is my opinion:

3Ghz or go home.
Budget or better card that can handle directX11.  For NVidia I'd stick with a 60 or better (260, 460, 760).

Personally I think a Core2Duo at 2.4Ghz would choke, but I don't have any personal experience with it.

Demon-Seed

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Re: What PC Specs for dreamcast?
« Reply #2 on: February 10, 2015, 10:28:45 am »
So intel wise you suggest 3ghz? But what chip?
Is amd an option or waste?
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BadMouth

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Re: What PC Specs for dreamcast?
« Reply #3 on: February 10, 2015, 11:32:47 am »
So intel wise you suggest 3ghz? But what chip?
Is amd an option or waste?

I'm not suggesting 3Ghz, I'm saying it's the minimum speed I'd consider.
i3 if on a budget, but would prefer i5.  Fastest clock speed you can afford.
Current MAME builds are optimized for Intel, so I'd stick with Intel.

Mine is just one opinion.
I haven't run a Dreamcast game in years, but I play the NAOMI shmups all the time.
« Last Edit: February 10, 2015, 11:35:32 am by BadMouth »

eds1275

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Re: What PC Specs for dreamcast?
« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2015, 11:35:40 am »
I'm using an Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.93, 4 gigs of ram, integrated Intel graphics, and using the latest version of Null DC. I can run like 30 % of the games, and the rest are just on the cusp of too annoying to play due to choppiness and stuttering sound. I think even with a bargain basement graphics card I would be well in the clear. Keeping in mind of course that NullDC is great for running games up to speed but not as pixel perfect as the others.

Demon-Seed

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Re: What PC Specs for dreamcast?
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2015, 01:08:18 pm »
Yes I have heard that dc can run.  First guy said it would choke? so confused.. anyone else offer their experiences?
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