how much space is in a typical cab?

[j123vt_99]

i'm in the process of putting my mame pc together and wanted to know how much empty space is there typically inside a cab. Want to know if I need to bother getting a case or not?

[Stingray]

Most uprights are almost entirely empty below the monitor. The boards and power supplies take up very little space. I assume we're talking about real arcade machines here.

-S

[IMMark]

Yes, if you're talking about a real arcade machine and room for a computer case....then Yes, you could have room for 2 or 3 computers.

[crashwg]

I willing to bet you could fit 6 computers, not so comfortably, in 80% of upright cabs.

[j123vt_99]

ok.. cool.. yes, i was referring to a full size upright... thank you for all the quick responses

[NoOne=NBA=]

I built my cab, which has about the same dimensions as a classic arcade, except that I have 2x4 framing inside the lower portion, that wouldn't be there in a REAL cab.
Even with that extra framing taking up space, I was still able to get my tower in there WITH a subwoofer.

The only type of cab that may give you some trouble would be one that used a "reflected monitor", like Space Invaders.
Those had the monitor mounted lower than the CP, pointing straight up in the cab, and reflected it off a piece of glass, so that it appeared to be straight back behind the bezel.
That type of cab leaves the monitor bracing sitting pretty low in the cab on a stripped one.
You may have to remove/modify this bracing, and would definitely have to build your own monitor mount, on that type of cab.

[Minwah]

Want to know if I need to bother getting a case or not?

Regardless of space, I wouldn't get a case.  I know it is arguable which is best (search this board if you want more), but personally I like the PC mounted to a board - besides anything else it makes it look more 'real'.

[crashwg]

I like the PC mounted to a board - besides anything else it makes it look more 'real'.

True dat!

[NoOne=NBA=]

Minwah,

Has anybody other than you ever seen the inside of your cabinet?

I'm just curious because the closest anybody's ever come to seeing the inside of mine is the inside of the CP area while I'm changing controls.

[krick]

Regardless of space, I wouldn't get a case.

[Stingray]

Minwah,

Has anybody other than you ever seen the inside of your cabinet?

I'm just curious because the closest anybody's ever come to seeing the inside of mine is the inside of the CP area while I'm changing controls.

Obviously I can't speak for Minwah, but I'll pull mine away from the wall and show off the inside at the slightest provocation. Somehow the guts mounted to the inside of the cab look a little more impressive than if there were just a beige box sitting in there.

-S

[MrWhippy]

i know krick said "good pics", but these are the best i can do.

seemed like a good idea at the time, and i swear one day i'll have it finished ;-)

[krick]

seemed like a good idea at the time, and i swear one day i'll have it finished ;-)

Yikes!

[Minwah]

Has anybody other than you ever seen the inside of your cabinet?

I'm just curious because the closest anybody's ever come to seeing the inside of mine is the inside of the CP area while I'm changing controls.

Same here really.  You're right it doesn't matter how it looks, but I personally like the guts outside of a PC case - same feeling as Stingray I suppose

I know how to mount the motherboard but I've always been curious how people go about...

1) securing the video card (and other cards if present)
2) mounting the drives
3) mounting the power supply

1) I just plugged it in - no-one can touch it so it is secure enough.

2) I only have a hard drive (I transfer stuff using a USB2 portable drive).  I mounted the hard drive using a drive bay mounting kit.

3) I just screwed it through some existing slots into the wooden board.

See this pic (outside of the cab, the board is removable):

[MrWhippy]

Yikes!