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VIA EPIA + C3 good for running MAME?
Pieter Hulshoff:
I've been thinking about using a VIA EPIA board with a C3 800MHz processor for a MAME cabinet. Does anyone have any experience with either? I'm trying to figure out if the speed of the C3 is enough to run most games, and if the TV-OUT of the EPIA is any good (or should I consider using a VGA (arcade) monitor instead? It would make a cheap and quiet duo, perfect for a MAME cabinet, if only the speed and usability are right...
Lilwolf:
I don't have one... but the reviews I've seen show that they run slower then a pentium or amd of the same clock speed. not by much.
but the main drop in speed is in the floating point math... but that doesn't effect emulation hardly at all.
So expect the speed of a 700 or 750 pentium (or 800mhz celeron maybe).
Their great because of the lack of a fan... but If you close in your cabinet to much, you might need a single fan for the whole unit. At least put some vents on the top and bottom to let the hot air out.
As for the VGA or TV-out... if it isn't SVid out, don't do it. I haven't heard any good solutions (other then multi thousand dollar scan converters) that have acceptable results without svid (or you can go scart in the uk). I personally don't like vga's as much myself, but there was someone selling 21" SVGA monitors on ebay for 25 bucks without a case. I don't know what the shipping would be though...
I would LOVE to hear how it runs. Would be great for my cocktail table (since it will be only classic games anyway)
Pieter Hulshoff:
> As for the VGA or TV-out... if it isn't SVid out, don't do it.
The epia has SVIDEO out, so that should be no problem. Maybe I'll just buy myself one of these babies anyway. If it's not usable for MAME I can always use it to beef up my daughter's computer. :)
> I would LOVE to hear how it runs. Would be great for my cocktail table (since it will be only classic games anyway)
I'll keep you informed, but at the pace I'm running you might have to wait a while. :) I'm just starting to get the ideas and drawings flowing at this time.
Lilwolf:
If you havent' started your system yet... wait on the computer.
why?
1) prices WILL drop... price of lumber doesn't.
2) c3's will get faster... You might find by the time you get everything together, they have a 1.5ghz processor :)
starbug1234:
Peter,
Did you ever complete this project?? I have recentky bought the epai 800, and am haveing HUGE problems geting Mame to run.
Cheers for any help
Stuart