Dead Computer - Is an Optiplex 9020 with an i5 an OK replacement?

[javeryh]

This is for my Woodgrain Cabaret.  It comes with Windows 10, 8GB RAM and a 240GB SSD.  I had a donor computer that I threw an SSD in but I keep getting an error when trying to boot that the rear fan chassis is not detected.  This happens randomly and I have fans plugged in (new ones) but I guess sometimes the motherboard isn't seeing them.  I can't take it anymore so I'm going to buy a used computer off of eBay.

I assume an Optiplex 9020 is sufficient to run MAME and Hyperspin?  I also need to be able to connect two VGA monitors.  There is a Display Port and a VGA port on the back so I assume I'll need a Display Port to VGA adapter to get this to work...

Any issues?  I cannot believe I'm going to have to set everything up again.  It took me FOREVER the first time.  I'm hoping I can just copy the "Arcade" folder from the hard drive or better yet, swap the SSD and it will just work.

    

[KenToad]

I'm not really following whether you've got your Hyperspin on a secondary drive or not. I think that having your OS on one hard drive and your Hyperspin setup on a second hard drive is optimal, but I haven't had to go through the headache of moving my Hyperspin setup yet, luckily.

If your Hyperspin setup is on a non-OS hard drive, you should be fine swapping the old Hyperspin SSD into the new computer, assuming that you still have all the drivers in the new OS and the same file pathways. If you do have your Arcade folder on the OS hard drive, I would consider moving it to a slave drive and updating your pathways, if that makes sense.

Maybe someone else with more technical expertise can give better information.

[javeryh]

Thanks.  When I got the donor computer I took out the HDD and added an SSD.  First thing I did was a fresh install of Windows 10.  Then I created an "Arcade" folder on the main C: and inside that folder is a "MAME" folder (with all the ini files, cfg files, roms, etc.) and a "Hyperspin" folder (with my theme, etc.).  These are the only files I added to the PC.  If I can't swap it out, I think I'll be able to just copy the Arcade folder to the C: on the new computer and everything should work.... maybe?  Worst case scenario is I need to spend like 50 hours figuring everything out again...

My main concern right now is that the Optiplex I'm looking at will run this stuff - I am reasonably certain there won't be any issues but I am computer illiterate for the most part.

[KenToad]

You should be good if you keep the same folder structure and file pathways. If you have issues after that, try updating Windows drivers.

[Gilrock]

Just clone a new drive with your nightly backup.

[javeryh]

Just clone a new drive with your nightly backup.

I understand all the words in that sentence but not in that particular order.   

So... can anyone say whether an Optiplex 9020 with an i5 and 8GB RAM going to be OK for MAME + Hyperspin?  I'd like to pull the trigger to get my cab up and running as soon as I can...

[Ond]

Oh no javeryh! Are you asking the how long is a piece of string question? Doesn't the answer to this type of question always go "well, it depends...." 
 An i5 with 8gb and SSD should be fine....mostly....

[javeryh]

Oh no javeryh! Are you asking the how long is a piece of string question? Doesn't the answer to this type of question always go "well, it depends...." 
 An i5 with 8gb and SSD should be fine....mostly....

Yeah… I should have been more specific.  All I’m planning on running are 80s and a few early 90s games.  Let’s say that Metal Slug or maybe Namco Collection Vol. 1 will be the most taxing games? No 3D stuff, no Killer Instinct or anything.  Mostly Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Asteroids, etc.

[Vocalitus]

I bought a HP i7 8gb 500gb hdd for $140 off newegg, they are probably cheaper now since the covid run on them bumped the price up a bit.  Looked minty new with W10 installed.  Couldn't build it for that price.

If you are sticking it in a cab go for a B or C grade.  Even a core duo is overkill for a mame setup tbh.

[Ond]

Oh no javeryh! Are you asking the how long is a piece of string question? Doesn't the answer to this type of question always go "well, it depends...." 
 An i5 with 8gb and SSD should be fine....mostly....

Yeah… I should have been more specific.  All I’m planning on running are 80s and a few early 90s games.  Let’s say that Metal Slug or maybe Namco Collection Vol. 1 will be the most taxing games? No 3D stuff, no Killer Instinct or anything.  Mostly Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Asteroids, etc.

Should be absolutely fine, GPUs get a bit more stressed if you're choosing to run HLSL shaders in your mame options, that's the only other consideration but you are just outputting to VGA so onboard GPU should be fine. One thing, Display Ports are digital so you will need an active converter if your intending to output video to VGA.  Digital to analog conversions vary in quality, just FYI.

[javeryh]

I bought a HP i7 8gb 500gb hdd for $140 off newegg, they are probably cheaper now since the covid run on them bumped the price up a bit.  Looked minty new with W10 installed.  Couldn't build it for that price.

If you are sticking it in a cab go for a B or C grade.  Even a core duo is overkill for a mame setup tbh.

Thanks.  I just looked and I think prices may have gone up!  I'm hoping I can get away with the i5 in a small form factor case.

[Ond link=topic=165671.msg1746086#msg1746086 date=1632959350]
Should be absolutely fine, GPUs get a bit more stressed if you're choosing to run HLSL shaders in your mame options, that's the only other consideration but you are just outputting to VGA so onboard GPU should be fine. One thing, Display Ports are digital so you will need an active converter if your intending to output video to VGA.  Digital to analog conversions vary in quality, just FYI.
[/quote]

Hmmm... I am using HLSL for scan-lines currently but it worked fine.  The computer I'm replacing was made in 2004 (I think) so I am fairly certain anything newer should be better, right?

I figured I'd have to get a Display Port to VGA converter.  Any ideas on what would be a "good" one (and by good I mean it works)?

[Vocalitus]

I figured I'd have to get a Display Port to VGA converter.  Any ideas on what would be a "good" one (and by good I mean it works)?]

That's the trick.  A lot of them say they work and just don't.

I use this company for Displayport to HDMI and they work brilliantly.  As I haven't tried the DP ->VGA offering, at $8 it wouldn't break the bank.

Try it and let us know if it worked for you as these devices are in demand for countercade kits and cabinet refurbs such as yours.

[javeryh]

I figured I'd have to get a Display Port to VGA converter.  Any ideas on what would be a "good" one (and by good I mean it works)?]

That's the trick.  A lot of them say they work and just don't.

I use this company for Displayport to HDMI and they work brilliantly.  As I haven't tried the DP ->VGA offering, at $8 it wouldn't break the bank.

Try it and let us know if it worked for you as these devices are in demand for countercade kits and cabinet refurbs such as yours.

Will do.  I need to pull the trigger on one of those computers.  There are so many to choose from but I'd like to keep it to under $150 with an SSD (so I can try swapping my current SSD).

[LTC]

Hey, have you tried to disable the fan error warning in the bios? Just a thought....

[javeryh]

Hey, have you tried to disable the fan error warning in the bios? Just a thought....

Yes and there is no setting in bios that controls the fans.  It’s an old HP work computer and best I could figure out is that the error occurs because the fan isn’t spinning fast enough.  Don’t know how to fix it.

[Vocalitus]

Hey, have you tried to disable the fan error warning in the bios? Just a thought....

Yes and there is no setting in bios that controls the fans.  It’s an old HP work computer and best I could figure out is that the error occurs because the fan isn’t spinning fast enough.  Don’t know how to fix it.

Have you seen this?

Can you reflash the BIOS?  Might be worth $2 of your time.

[bobbyb13]

... I think that having your OS on one hard drive and your Hyperspin setup on a second hard drive is optimal, but I haven't had to go through the headache of moving my Hyperspin setup yet, luckily.

My dear, why hadn't this occurred to me as the most brilliant plan.

I need to rebuild some stuff.

[javeryh]

Hey, have you tried to disable the fan error warning in the bios? Just a thought....

Yes and there is no setting in bios that controls the fans.  It’s an old HP work computer and best I could figure out is that the error occurs because the fan isn’t spinning fast enough.  Don’t know how to fix it.

Have you seen this?

Can you reflash the BIOS?  Might be worth $2 of your time.

I'll look into it but I recall not being able to update my BIOS due to some forced lock down because this PC was for a business.

I got it to boot this morning by unseating all the fans again and plugging them back in... but now my P1 Start button is somehow mapped to Exit in Hyperspin.  No freaking idea how or why this would happen.  So I think I need to go into Hyperspin and remap the button somehow?  I had it set up so pressing P1 Start is how you select a game but now it brings up the "Exit Menu" (where you select yes/no) and if you press the button again it goes back to the desktop.  I'm losing my mind.

[Ropi Jo]

I used a Dell I5 for my mame cab and had the same case fan error at boot. Could not disable the warning in BIOS so fitted the 2nd fan on the CPU.

[javeryh]

I used a Dell I5 for my mame cab and had the same case fan error at boot. Could not disable the warning in BIOS so fitted the 2nd fan on the CPU.

I have fans plugged into the rear and front but maybe there are 4 more pins somewhere for a third fan I'm not seeing?  I've got extra fans lying around so I'll take a look.  I need to get in there and do some real software maintenance, unfortunately.  $150 on a new computer is looking like an easy spend if I keep spinning my wheels like this...