My new rig (doing it cheap)

[daywane]

I am giving my Daughter my old PC. I ordered this PC from Amazon (remember I am doing it CHEAP)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DJXW682F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Video card is coming from eBay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/387402963505

around $170 total

I have no plans on going to Windows 11.  When Windows 10 expires I guess I must learn Linux
All I do on a PC is emulation. YouTube, stream, banking, Plex. 

This should do what I want.  I will toss a couple 4 Terabyte USB drives on it.

[BlueGhost]

Those Ryzen APUs are pretty nice, I've used a few varying from the 2000 to the 5000 series.  I wouldn't even bother with the GPU you have selected, it's not a big enough improvement over the Vega graphics on the 2400ge.  The 2400 will have no problem with anything in MAME, and can do up to PS 2 emulation relatively well.

[RandyT]

I am giving my Daughter my old PC. I ordered this PC from Amazon (remember I am doing it CHEAP)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DJXW682F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Not sure if you knew this already, but there are ThinClients which pop up on the used market now and then with pretty much the same specs and much smaller footprint.  The HP T740 ThinClient is a bit thicker than most, but has 2 SODIMM slots, an NVME slot, M.2 SSD slot and the one for smaller cards (A-Key?) for wireless, which can be used for other purposes if desired.  What sets it apart from other thin clients is that it also has a single full-size PCIE slot for half-height cards. It's virtually identical in ports as well.  The only mildly annoying thing about them (and the one you bought too) is the 4 DP ports, but no HDMI ports.  The T740 also lacks normal SATA drive connections, which can be remedied thanks to the PCIE slot, if you really need them, but the card would need to supply power to the drive as well (not sure something like that exists.)

I managed to snag a quantity of HP T740's for general/development use and they came out to about $40 each (!) with 8gb of PC4 3200 SODIMMs in Dual Channel, Wifi, Bluetooth, 64GB EMMC drive and a power brick.  Even with those specs, they make great little special purpose Linux devices (or even Windows 11 if you are a masochist).  They aren't always easy to find at that price and with those specs, but they are very upgradeable and at less than half the cost of a decent Pi (or even at the full cost), they are a no brainer.

RE: Linux

If you are heading in that direction, pick up a cheap system now (or dedicate an old unused system) and start playing.  The options for distros have become amazing lately, and Valve is even getting ready to put out a Steam version specifically geared toward gaming.  It won't be long after that we start seeing forks of that distro (if even necessary) which combines excellent PC gaming with other general use capabilities.  Once this happens, MS is is going to become irrelevant to a large chunk of the gaming market they currently have a stranglehold on.

No time like the present.  By time Win10 dies off, you'll already be well on the way to make the switch.  If emulation is the main thing you play around with, I'm not sure it would take you more than a week to not care about Windows anymore, unless there is some program that you absolutely must have and it can't be run under compatibility tools like Wine.

RE: Graphics card

What BlueGhost said.  You won't really be gaining much with that card and it doesn't even provide you with the more common HDMI ports.  If you really want to step up the graphics, you'll probably need to spend more.  But if you do, keep in mind that Linux is geared toward AMD graphics.  There are closed-source Nvidia drivers, as well as newer open-source ones which are getting better, but AMD stuff is usually more compatible out-of-the-box and less likely to have weird issues.

[daywane]

I am using a HP ELITEDESK mini pc
AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G with Radeon Vega Graphics   3.60 GHz
16.0 GB (14.9 GB usable
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
I can play what I want . most PS2 , the few GameCube I like. honestly after the Wii i gave up on consoles. I still like Mario Karts.
I would like to try WiiU .
Thanks for the heads up on GPU card. It is better then the one I have on the HP PRODESK I5 I i am giving to my daughter.
I just assumed any card would be better than on board . I have 2 more of those HP PRODESK I5
one will get the smaller card Linux. Mint probably  and I will give the larger to my daughter.
Dreamcast Gauntlet Legends and GameCube monkey ball is our games to play together . 

[RandyT]

The card you bought is technically better, at least as far as the benchmarks.  But only about 16%.  That might be enough to get you something that is on the edge of being playable on the built-in GPU, but probably not enough to add a more advanced system to your emulator collection.

The RX-6400 (note the extra zero) is about 250% as good as the Vega 8 graphics, but runs about $150.  But the Vega iGPUs are surprisingly capable on their own.  You just have to make sure you have good cooling (i.e. make sure the thermal paste is in good condition) and be sure to give it a pair of the fastest DIMMs supported by the system.  I've seen people putting slower memory in these systems and complain about the graphic performance.   

[daywane]

theVega 8 graphics seems doable after the holidays. Thanks you guys have been a great help.
the Vega 8 graphics will be the 3rd graphics card I ever bought. looks like I can snag one for $100 plus $14 shipping.

[RandyT]

theVega 8 graphics seems doable after the holidays. Thanks you guys have been a great help.
the Vega 8 graphics will be the 3rd graphics card I ever bought. looks like I can snag one for $100 plus $14 shipping.

Just so I didn't inadvertently mislead, your APU should already be sporting Vega 11 graphics, which based on info I found, is already faster than the original card you posted.  I originally saw references to the Vega 8 as being part of the 2400g, but after checking again I see both, with more saying Vega 11, which is about %20 faster.  Vega 8 is what is on  the embedded chip in the "go-fast" thin clients.

So, to be clear, you probably don't want a Vega 8 GPU (I think these are only iGPUs), unless they can get more grunt from it through a higher TDP... which is entirely possible.  I just saw a comparison between a couple of Vega 8 and Vega 11 APU's, and the Vega 8 came out on top because it was linked to a better CPU core.  So it's a bit confusing, but also makes a certain amount of sense.

The best thing to do is truly evaluate what you already have in the way of actual performance for what you are doing, before buying a GPU.  If you find that it falls short for what you want to do, then start looking for an external GPU.  At that point, you can start doing some research into performance gains by simply googling "Vega 11 iGPU vs <whatever card you have your eye on>" to find some benchmarking sites and get a relative idea as to how large a bump you might expect to see.  It may not be completely accurate, based on the apparent impact of differences in CPU's, but it should get you a general idea.  The last thing you want to do is spend another $100, only to find that it didn't help much, or worse, doesn't perform as well as what you already have.
 

[GeoMan]

I got a Lenovo Thinkcenter (i3 4th Gen/8GB Ram) with an RX-6400 for free. No problem running even Switch games at 1080p...

[daywane]

  lol. I am in over my head

[RandyT]

lol. I am in over my head

Lol.  Don't worry.  Do what I suggested in the last paragraph I wrote and come back to the thread.  I'll do what I can to help

[daywane]

PC arrived today. it is doing updates now. I have not been able to do anything fun yet.
the keyboard and mouse is like something from $5 and below or allies .
the mini tower its self ... I am happy with. I am using display port. I have no problems with Display ports. I have adaptors . my OLD eyes can not tell the difference from HDMI and display ports. VCR and DVD I can see a difference . Past that nope. 8 Track to cassette yes. cassette to CD yes. past that nope. I just do not have the golden eyes and ears.

<------ ( RIP BUCKY )  After many years, I have a Bucky 2.0  A little retard from Pinky and the Brain . NARF! Toy Australian Sheppard. 5 months old  THERE IS NO EATING CAT POOP! THE CAT IS NOT YOUR TOY! YOU DO NOT EAT MY shoes! TP IS NOT A TOY ! NARF! lol

[frankrizzo2]

Batocera is a nice all-in-one linux system if you are looking at an arcade emulation type setup

[daywane]

I have a few setups of batocera and even more of retropie. going with RetroBat  or big box on this one.
Honestly . I think I enjoy tinkering the most.
Till Windows 10 is supported. After that Linux. Mint most likely

[RandyT]

I am happy with. I am using display port. I have no problems with Display ports. I have adaptors . my OLD eyes can not tell the difference from HDMI and display ports. VCR and DVD I can see a difference . Past that nope. 8 Track to cassette yes. cassette to CD yes. past that nope. I just do not have the golden eyes and ears.

The only thing to be aware of, at least from what I have experienced, is that the reasonably priced adapters and cables will not support 4k@60hz.  Some won't go over standard HD at all and if 4:3, won't go over 1024x768.  I found this out the hard way when trying to feed one of those stretched format digital pinball score displays.  So it's not so much a difference in output quality, but a difference in supported resolutions.

If you are the type who likes to use CRT renderers and shaders, the added resolution from 4k can make a more convincing CRT simulation.  But if you are only doing HD, then it's not a big deal to pick up cheap adapters.

[nitrogen_widget]

I am giving my Daughter my old PC. I ordered this PC from Amazon (remember I am doing it CHEAP)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DJXW682F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Not sure if you knew this already, but there are ThinClients which pop up on the used market now and then with pretty much the same specs and much smaller footprint.  The HP T740 ThinClient is a bit thicker than most, but has 2 SODIMM slots, an NVME slot, M.2 SSD slot and the one for smaller cards (A-Key?) for wireless, which can be used for other purposes if desired.  What sets it apart from other thin clients is that it also has a single full-size PCIE slot for half-height cards. It's virtually identical in ports as well.  The only mildly annoying thing about them (and the one you bought too) is the 4 DP ports, but no HDMI ports.  The T740 also lacks normal SATA drive connections, which can be remedied thanks to the PCIE slot, if you really need them, but the card would need to supply power to the drive as well (not sure something like that exists.)

I managed to snag a quantity of HP T740's for general/development use and they came out to about $40 each (!) with 8gb of PC4 3200 SODIMMs in Dual Channel, Wifi, Bluetooth, 64GB EMMC drive and a power brick.  Even with those specs, they make great little special purpose Linux devices (or even Windows 11 if you are a masochist).  They aren't always easy to find at that price and with those specs, but they are very upgradeable and at less than half the cost of a decent Pi (or even at the full cost), they are a no brainer.

RE: Linux

If you are heading in that direction, pick up a cheap system now (or dedicate an old unused system) and start playing.  The options for distros have become amazing lately, and Valve is even getting ready to put out a Steam version specifically geared toward gaming.  It won't be long after that we start seeing forks of that distro (if even necessary) which combines excellent PC gaming with other general use capabilities.  Once this happens, MS is is going to become irrelevant to a large chunk of the gaming market they currently have a stranglehold on.

No time like the present.  By time Win10 dies off, you'll already be well on the way to make the switch.  If emulation is the main thing you play around with, I'm not sure it would take you more than a week to not care about Windows anymore, unless there is some program that you absolutely must have and it can't be run under compatibility tools like Wine.

RE: Graphics card

What BlueGhost said.  You won't really be gaining much with that card and it doesn't even provide you with the more common HDMI ports.  If you really want to step up the graphics, you'll probably need to spend more.  But if you do, keep in mind that Linux is geared toward AMD graphics.  There are closed-source Nvidia drivers, as well as newer open-source ones which are getting better, but AMD stuff is usually more compatible out-of-the-box and less likely to have weird issues.

i'm using a thin client with usb 3 and a dual hd dock for my file server.
works great.

i have a few other thin clients with mame on them. they struggle with some CAVE games and def. won't run gauntlet legends but otherwise do the job.

i use this site to get info on thin clients and their upgrade ability.

https://www.parkytowers.me.uk/thin/

[BlueGhost]

I have a few setups of batocera and even more of retropie. going with RetroBat  or big box on this one.
Honestly . I think I enjoy tinkering the most.
Till Windows 10 is supported. After that Linux. Mint most likely

I tend to go with Batocera for my console emulation and Windows w/BigBox for my arcade stuff.  BigBox seems to be a little easier for things like led buttons and active marquees.

[daywane]

I have Retrobat setup mostly. art, videos. PS2 works just fine with stock GPU. Wii U Mario Kart is fine. only as a stand alone EMU . only consoles are going on this PC. I see no need for a GPU card.
I have 6 Arcade 1 ups ( 5 are modified) for arcades. Centipedes is still stock. I do have a real arcade USB track ball and a Pi Zero 2 w for it. stocking stuffer  (next project and last project) After that. I stop tinkering and just play. Well a couple arcade guns would be nice 
 I know there hated here. (Arcade 1 up's) but with my back failing me ... there the best cabs for me.

[daywane]

I have Retrobat setup mostly. art, videos. PS2 works just fine with stock GPU. Wii U Mario Kart is fine. only as a stand alone EMU . only consoles are going on this PC. I see no need for a GPU card.
I have 6 Arcade 1 ups ( 5 are modified) for arcades. Centipedes is still stock. I do have a real arcade USB track ball and a Pi Zero 2 w for it. stocking stuffer  (next project and last project) After that. I stop tinkering and just play. Well a couple arcade guns would be nice 
 I know there hated here. (Arcade 1 up's) but with my back failing me ... there the best cabs for me.

[RandyT]

I have heard a lot about Bazzite, so I put it on one of my t740's.  It's very user friendly.  In fact, you can get a version which looks and acts just like the SteamDeck interface.  If anyone is interested in using some of the lower spec arcade-style games from Steam, alongside emulation, I recommend checking it out.  With the right version, it comes up right in Steam like a dedicated console would.  But the desktop and other Linux apps are still available once exiting from that environment.  It also has a 1-click installer which will install just about any emulator one might want, so long as you select that option at setup.

I'm really impressed at how far these Linux distros have come for gaming.