Computer Power Question

[jam92102]

Hi everybody!  I'm getting ready to buy a barebones system it's like a 1.8ghz or something like that I can't remember.  My point is I'm buying this strictly for mame.  I have no use whatsoever for windows on this computer.   Is dos mame going to be able to utilize the power that this machiene will have and also how much memory can dos recognize and how much should I use.  will 256mb suffice?  Am I gonna have trouble running dos on the newer technologies that are out since they've far passed dos?  Thanks in advance!

[SirPeale]

You should be fine.  256M RAM should be all right.

You will not be able to play all the games with that setup, but will be able to play 99% of them just fine.

[jam92102]

Do you think I'll have any trouble with the fighters?  That's mainly what I play.  Thanks!

[Gideon]

If there fighters are 2d, there's no problem whatsoever.

Peale, are you saying that 1% of the MAME-supported games won't work on DOS?  Or, is memory the limiting factor, as I'm thinking?

[CitznFish]

If there fighters are 2d, there's no problem whatsoever.

Peale, are you saying that 1% of the MAME-supported games won't work on DOS?  Or, is memory the limiting factor, as I'm thinking?

Processor speed. MAME is processor heavy since it's emulating. RAM isn't that big a factor IIRC

[SirPeale]

What CitznFish said.  He's got a 1.8GHz proc, plenty of pony-power for 99% of the games.

[Pete Harcoff]

You'll be fine.  I run on a 1.7 GHz Celeron with 256 megs of RAM, with no problems.  I also play mostly fighters (mainly the SNK and Capcom games), and haven't had any slowdown problems.

[StephenH]

DOS MAME will work fine, in most cases.  Here are some things to be concered with if running in Pure DOS:

1) Sound Card Drivers:  Make sure there are DOS Drivers for the sound chipset, as some on-board sets don't have them, and make sure MAME supports the set.

2) Many USB input devices do not work in pure DOS.

3) Make sure your input devices have DOS drivers or will work in pure DOS.

1.8 Celeron should run quite a number of games fine, although it may be slow for some of the newest most-demanding systems like Crusin World, Seattle Games, etc.

If something will not work, you may be best to try Windows or Linux.

[tep0583]

I play a lot of fighters, too and everything up to Marvel vs Capcom works at full speed on my Athalon 2000+ (256 SDRAM). I haven't got around to trying any of the KIs and such, however.

[Gideon]

If there fighters are 2d, there's no problem whatsoever.

Peale, are you saying that 1% of the MAME-supported games won't work on DOS?  Or, is memory the limiting factor, as I'm thinking?

Processor speed. MAME is processor heavy since it's emulating. RAM isn't that big a factor IIRC

Ah, it makes sense.  Thank you.

[paigeoliver]

I play a lot of fighters, too and everything up to Marvel vs Capcom works at full speed on my Athalon 2000+ (256 SDRAM). I haven't got around to trying any of the KIs and such, however.

Marvel Vs. Capcom can run at roughly 110 fps on a 733 mhz.