New to MAME: What should I use to build it?

[cristian1022]

Hello everyone I am new to MAME and would like to build my own cabinet and arcade at home. However, I am not quite sure what I should use. I want to be able to play all consoles, arcade games (Street Fighter) and all video games if possible.
I have been reading up on it and I see that you can use a computer with high CPU output and a Raspberry Pi. In order to get good results what do you recommend? Please provide as much information so that I can start my search on products to use. I am more concerned with the computer/raspberry information as everything else I understand.
Any information is greatly appreciated.
Cheers

[PL1]

Welcome aboard, Cristian1022.   

The short answer is that the Raspberry Pi isn't going to run the full range of emulators and games you mention.

(I'm ignoring for the moment that an attempt to "run all the games" is pretty much guaranteed to end in failure -- see the FAQ here.)

A 2 core (more cores are wasted for MAME) 3+ GHz processor (Intel i3/i5 or similar) is a good place to start looking.

There are lots of "What computer do I need to buy?" threads with more details -- the search icon at the top of the page is your friend.   


Scott

[keilmillerjr]

The pi is a wonderful device. However, to be able to play everything, your going to need a desktop. I have a 3.1ghz i3 I built for mame that I am willing to sell. I set it up and never actually used it due to me buying a neo geo mvs. Shoot me a pm if your interested in details.

[Token]

I want to be able to play all consoles, arcade games (Street Fighter) and all video games if possible.

In brief, this is not possible.

The longer answer is that an Intel i3 3GHz CPU will run almost everything in MAME and all console games up through the PS1 (and most Dreamcast games). Keep in mind that how you modify your display settings in MAME can also affect performance.

And you might want to consider that the attempt to make a cabinet that will run the entire history of video gaming is never successful, due to sheer number of controls necessary.

The pleasure you derive from playing your homemade arcade cabinet is inversely proportional to the amount of games you have designed it to play.

[vwalbridge]

I want to be able to play all consoles, arcade games (Street Fighter) and all video games if possible.

Famous last words. 

You need to slow down and cut your decision making in half. The quickest way to do that is ask yourself if you like vertical or horizontal games more. Then build a cab around that screen orientation.

Sure you can run vertical games on a horizontal screen and vise versa, but I find it more satisfying to build a more "precise" cabinet rather than an cabinet that is having an identity crisis.

You can get even closer to your ideal cab by cutting out all consoles (except NES, some of those games work on arcade).

I challenge you to reply with your "must-have" games...I bet it's less than 20.

[pbj]

486 SX ought to do it

[yotsuya]

I challenge you to reply with your "must-have" games...I bet it's less than 20.

Pac-Man
Street Fighter
Star Wars
Centipede
TRON
....

[harveybirdman]

I see what you did there....

[vwalbridge]

I challenge you to reply with your "must-have" games...I bet it's less than 20.

Pac-Man
Street Fighter
Star Wars
Centipede
TRON
....

[yotsuya]

I forgot 720 and Silent Scope!!!