My friend wants a Mame machine, help?

[blueoakleyz]

(and so do I eventually)
what I need to know is how much a basic computer that could basically run games before 1996 (using Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 as a benchmark.. not counting 3D games or really extreme games, just basically all the good standup and play kind). We will connect the computer to like a 20 or 27 inch tv so we need to know how to do that and how much it costs to get a video out card for that...... and basically thats it

I know about IPACs, cabinet building, control making etc

[pointdablame]

There is a post in the sticky section about what speed computer you need for MAME... check that out.  You can play classics with something like MAME .55 on like a 400mhz computer or so, most games on say a 800mhz - 1ghz machine, and above that you add a few games at a time, with some just not playable with today's computers.

As for a video card, MAME is not video card intensive AT ALL... the CPU is much more important.  You could get the cheapest card with Svideo on it and be fine.  If you're using an arcade monitor, use an ArcadeVGA, but with a TV like you mentioned, basically any TV-out card will be plenty if you are only using MAME.

[blueoakleyz]

Could you pricecheck that for me? or give estimates? I have no experience with computer buying really... basically something thats like 1ghz so it can play anything up to ultimate Mortal kombat 3 at 100% framerate with sound (again, not including the extreme games like say cruisin usa)

[Gunstar Hero]

pricewatch.com

[Goz]

Try pricewatch, surplus stores like computersurplus.com, craigslist, newspaper, ebay, etc.

I picked up a 800Mhz PC complete with monitor for $40 the other day, prices will vary by area and what people want to get rid of.

Good Luck

-Goz

[paigeoliver]

Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is the single worst benchmark game you can use. The Mortal Kombat hardware platform (everything Midway did from Mortal Kombat 1 - UMK 3) is pretty much the slowest stuff in Mame.

I can buy a used computer for $20 that will pretty much run everything BUT Mortal Kombat. Multiply that price by at least 10 if you want Mortal Kombat.

[blueoakleyz]

Well I'd want to get a computer that has like 1.7 or so ghz (enough to run UMK3 at full speed/sound) and has 80GB hd and enough ram for all that (256? 512?) Where could I get that used?

[Crazy Cooter]

See the links above.

[Craig]

Try eBay.

[pointdablame]

NEW:
http://www.pricewatch.com - be sure to check the Reseller Ratings (resellerratings.com) to be sure the company you're looking at is reputable
http://www.zipzoomfly.com
http://www.newegg.com

USED:
http://www.ebay.com
http://www.craigslist.org
local paper classifieds
people you know.... someone might be upgrading.


And sorry, I'm not gonna price it for you... you have to do some work

[GGKoul]

How many posts about the same subject are you going to make??

http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=26699;start=0