Computer that can run Dreamcast

[Haloman800]

My current computer is a Dell Optiplex 745. It can't even handle launching MAME games without substantial lag. So I'm looking for a PC that can handle consoles up to dreamcast; what do you recommend?

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[thomas_surles]

I've never had trouble running dreamcast. But I usually have at least 4 gig of ram. Any newer pc should handle it.

[ark_ader]

Regarding the Dreamcast.  I would buy a Dreamcast.  Its quicker.  Especially with the mods you can buy today.

I like free Dell Optiplex 3000s.  They work well with a decent 8400gs PCI card.

[Haloman800]

Do I have any options other than a $500 tower?

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[j.fitzenr]

Look out for some off-lease stuff.  I've had great luck with Lenovos but mostly because a forumite here had a bunch he was offloading. 

Something like this with a cheaper vid card would probably do the job easily.  You could go even cheaper too.

You can find any manner of Core i5 off-lease towers or mini towers from dell, lenovo, etc. for probably about $100 on ebay.  Pop a reasonable graphics card in and you should be okay.  I rarely run dreamcast so I can't exactly tell you "such and such a processor will run this game perfectly" or whatnot, but you've got plenty of options.

[ark_ader]

Do I have any options other than a $500 tower?

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

My Dell 3000 is a P4.  I don't think I mentioned 3040.....

[TapeWormInYourGut]

What are your PC specs? I have a 9 year old laptop with a Core Dual 1.8ghz and 2gb of ram. It has an nvidia 8400M video card. It can run a lot of DC games at full speed.

So, i mean, a newer 300-400 PC should be able to emulate a DC. Anything with an i3 should do it as long as you have a $100 video card.

Something like this should be able to run it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883101177&nm_mc=HookLogic&cm_sp=HookLogic-_-Desktop+PC-_-Acer+America-_-83101177

I searched Demul/NullDC and the Intel 6400 and it looks like people can run it.

[keilmillerjr]

A dreamcast  Can run dreamcast roms pretty good. Plenty of dc to arcade type of adaptors. Can run games from sd or hd. Gdroms suck. I burnt through 3 of them, and then finally sold my accessories and games.

[stigzler]

This runs dreamcast comfortably. Shouldn't be too pricey, either:

http://valid.canardpc.com/si4pw7

[JDFan]

My current computer is a Dell Optiplex 745. It can't even handle launching MAME games without substantial lag. So I'm looking for a PC that can handle consoles up to dreamcast; what do you recommend?

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Which CPU is in your model ?? Might be easiest just to upgrade to a faster CPU and perhaps add a dedicated GPU if using the onboard video - Depending on what you currently have in there and what the MOBO will support -- for example if it is a core2duo you could upgrade to a newer core2duo like the e8600 for $14 ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-E8600-Core2-Duo-SLB9L-3-33GHZ-6M-133-/191964949062) which runs at 3.33Ghz. and would improve performance if you have a slower core2duo currently (if the MOBO suppports it) then add a dedicated GPU for another $20-$40 and reuse the rest of the current system

IN reading a few responses at Dell for the optiplex 745 it looks like the Q6700 is supported so could upgrade to a quad core 2.66Ghz. CPU for about $25 ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-2-Quad-Q6700-2-66GHz-8M-1066MHz-LGA-775-Quad-Core-Desktop-CPU-SLACQ-/302113999417?hash=item465765ca39:g:AKsAAOSwawpXtyMj ) which should help performance quite a bit over what you have now.

Not sure if the e8600 would work or not as they mention not supporting the wolfdale processors but there is the Conroe based e6850 which should work for $7 (  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-2-Duo-E6850-3-00-GHz-4M-1333-MHz-LGA-775-Processor-SLA9U-/232116739583?hash=item360b3c5dff:g:NegAAOSw8w1YBNEt )

Again you'd need to know what MOBO yours is and check for the supported CPU's it can run but could be a cheaper option than buying a whole new system.