New owner of a used Dream Arcades Cab and have a few questions...

[lovespicyfood]

Hey Everyone,

Just purchased a really great used Dream Arcades Vision 32 upright.  Seller said it was ~3 years old...  It's in great condition.

I've been wanting to get my own cab forever...  Even bought tools (router, circular saw, etc.) many many years ago but never got the courage to build it (I'm so not a wood worker).  I can tinker w/ computers, though...

First thoughts is that I need to figure out the 4 way joystick dilemma which I knew would be an issue...  I love Ms. Pac Man, Donkey Kong, etc.  I might go with the selectable restrictor plate  from Mameroom...seems like the easiest solution though I'm a little scared to screw into the top of my control panel and the larger "dust cover" would cover some of the cp graphics... 

That being said, I see how easily the cp comes out and since it's just a flat piece of wood w/ simple rails below, I know I can do that sort of wood work.    Eventually I think I'll make a "better" control panel w/ at very least a 3" track ball...not a fan of the feel of the 2"...

So the interface of this setup is not the greatest imho...  I would like to go to Hyperspin or other FE and totally transform the experience.  I am a classic arcade person and don't need a lot of horsepower but do like the idea of having a music box on the cab.  Also, there seemed to be lag in playing Galaga at times, for instance, which leads me to believe there’s room for improvement..

Here's the setup: 
Windows XP – my guess this is the biggest drawback?  Takes 1.5 minutes to boot up
Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 3,800+
80gb hard drive
2x512mb DDR2  667 memory

I know Windows 10 would make a faster boot time and I’ve never been a fan of XP.  Don’t really need a bigger hard drive but putting in a SSD drive makes sense to me too.  Given the OS situation, I’m thinking it makes more sense to go for a refurbished/cheap desktop replacement which I would think I could get for <$175…

Advice and suggestions appreciated!

[JDFan]

  Given the OS situation, I’m thinking it makes more sense to go for a refurbished/cheap desktop replacement which I would think I could get for <$175…

Advice and suggestions appreciated!

Just got a advert for Newegg today with this

Refurbished: HP Desktop PC 8200 Intel Core i5 2nd Gen 3.0 GHz 4 GB 1 TB HDD Windows 10 Pro 64-Bit
$149.99 With Promo Code: EMCSRDCH2

which fits the budget listed

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=83-285-921&utm_medium=Email&cm_mmc=EMC-SDEA032017-_-SD032717-_-Item-_-83-285-921&et_cid=32739&et_rid=68469&et_p1=&email64=SkRGYW5uaW5nQHNiY2dsb2JhbC5uZXQ=

[lovespicyfood]

Just got a advert for Newegg today with this

Refurbished: HP Desktop PC 8200 Intel Core i5 2nd Gen 3.0 GHz 4 GB 1 TB HDD Windows 10 Pro 64-Bit
$149.99 With Promo Code: EMCSRDCH2

which fits the budget listed

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=83-285-921&utm_medium=Email&cm_mmc=EMC-SDEA032017-_-SD032717-_-Item-_-83-285-921&et_cid=32739&et_rid=68469&et_p1=&email64=SkRGYW5uaW5nQHNiY2dsb2JhbC5uZXQ=

WOW, that's a great deal!  Interestingly enough, the stock PC is an HP in a very similar configuration!  I think I might have to jump on this...thank you for posting!

[lovespicyfood]

Hmmm...built in graphics doesn't have a DVI connection...guess I would have to get a inexpensive graphics card....

[JDFan]

Hmmm...built in graphics doesn't have a DVI connection...guess I would have to get a inexpensive graphics card....

That or a DVI to VGA adapter.

EDIT : uedan's suggestion to use displayport is better solution as it keeps the digital connection !

[UEDan]

Hmmm...built in graphics doesn't have a DVI connection...guess I would have to get a inexpensive graphics card....

But it has displayport. You can easily convert that to DVI.
These are what I use at work: https://www.amazon.com/Cablelera-DisplayPort-DVI-Cable-ZC2610MM-06/dp/B008DW5N2W/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1490691667&sr=1-6&keywords=displayport+to+dvi
Good quality.

Get the SSD.