Which version of Windows and Mame for this pc?

[Jamesbeat]

I received a lot of good advice on my previous thread about system requirements, and I have a better idea of how it all works now.

I understand that sometimes people use older versions of mame because of hardware limitations, and some people are still using Windows XP.

I'm still on a steep learning curve because I am a Linux user, and I haven't used Windows for a decade.
I'm not a snob though, and Windows looks like the best option for my mame cab because of the availability of software.

Since I started that thread, I have acquired a pc:

Intel core 2 Duo @ 3Ghz
4Gb RAM
250Gb HDD
I think it has integrated graphics, but does have a graphics card slot available.

Not the best specs, but it was extremely cheap, which is a good thing at the moment since I am sinking my budget into building my cab.
I can always upgrade later.

I will be using an LCD monitor with no special enhancements or filters, and I will be using Mala as my frontend.

I also have a copy of Windows XP, and I'm 90% sure I also have an unused copy of Vista which came with a laptop I bought a while ago.
Which would be the best version to use?

Also, which version of mame would be most appropriate for this older hardware?

[dmckean]

I would run Windows 7 and the newest version of MAME.

[Jamesbeat]

Wouldn't that hog too many resources?

I'd like to avoid having to buy Windows 7 if possible.

[P.H.U.]

No point going to Windows. Run Linux! I only use Windows for work and when I need to. Linux all the way for me for everything else. Check and see if GroovyArcade works for your version of MAME.

But if you have to use Windows, Win7 64-bit on that machine.

[P.H.U.]

Wouldn't that hog too many resources?

I'd like to avoid having to buy Windows 7 if possible.

In that case, Windows XP 64-bit. Sounds like you aren't using this PC for any other purpose, so get XP from here. No need for security. Burn it onto USB with Wintoflash and you can install it in no time.

[haynor666]

MAME has already problems under XP and mamedev already abandoned XP. Probably soon they will abandon x32 platform as well. Your PC is strong enough for 7 x64 and 4 Gb RAM is enough for windows 7 x64 and mame. The only minus is longer system loading with 7 besides that - nothing.

Also mame is currently not working with many old Intel integrated cards so I advice to get some proper video card. It could cheap Radeon HD serie.

[Jamesbeat]

Longer boot time is one thingbthats putting me off Windows 7.

I use it at work, and my pc takes literally 5-6 minutes from hitting the switch to doing anything useful.

If the mame devs have moved away from older graphics cards, wouldn't it make more sense to use an older version rather than buy a new card, or am I missing something?

Also, I noticed that the chd sets have grown in size quite a bit. Should I use an older version so I can actually fit the chd set on my hard drive?

[paigeoliver]

MAME has already problems under XP and mamedev already abandoned XP. Probably soon they will abandon x32 platform as well. Your PC is strong enough for 7 x64 and 4 Gb RAM is enough for windows 7 x64 and mame. The only minus is longer system loading with 7 besides that - nothing.

Also mame is currently not working with many old Intel integrated cards so I advice to get some proper video card. It could cheap Radeon HD serie.

You should never upgrade the mame version in a completed project and mame has been excellent for 100+ versions of this point so it isn't like you have to run the bleeding edge latest release. I run .78 in my cabinet.

[Osirus23]

I use it at work, and my pc takes literally 5-6 minutes from hitting the switch to doing anything useful.

And mine boots in 20 seconds. Its an issue with the PC, not Windows 7.

[Jamesbeat]

Yeah it's probably all the security craps at work, because I just installed 7 on this machine and it does boot quite fast.

Unfortunately, it doesn't recognize the network card or the WiFi dongle I have plugged into it, so I can't connect to the internet.

I honestly can't believe people still use Windows, it's ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---.

a Linux mint livecd managed to recognize both and connected to the internet automatically.

Maybe I'll just try to get a Linux version of mame to work instead.

[paigeoliver]

Linux mame is worse than Windows mame.

Your mame cabinet doesn't need networking and honestly shouldn't have it.

[Osirus23]

None of my cabs have ever seen a network connection.

[Jamesbeat]

I only want networking so I can download odds and ends while I'm setting up the cab. I'm not crazy enough to keep any machine running Windows connected to my network full time 

I think I have found some patches that will enable my network hardware, but I'm too tired to do the driver dance tonight.

[dmckean]

Wouldn't that hog too many resources?

I'd like to avoid having to buy Windows 7 if possible.

Nah, your machine is perfect for Windows 7 and everything else is really too old.

[Automark]

Yeah it's probably all the security craps at work, because I just installed 7 on this machine and it does boot quite fast.

Unfortunately, it doesn't recognize the network card or the WiFi dongle I have plugged into it, so I can't connect to the internet.

I honestly can't believe people still use Windows, it's ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---.

a Linux mint livecd managed to recognize both and connected to the internet automatically.

Maybe I'll just try to get a Linux version of mame to work instead.

My win10 pc starts in 8 seconds, with ssd of course. If yours takes 6 minutes to start, there is something seriously wrong