Is this $228 PC good enough for Mame?

[rmcelwee]

800mhz seems ok. I'm just wondering if anyone has one of these and has had any problems with the sound or video. I'll be using it with an arcade monitor (horizontal 25"). Thanks!

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2009646&cat=106560&type=19&dept=3944&path=0%3A3944%3A3951%3A106560

[android]

Check out Fry's. They have a 1.2Ghz AMD with 128MB Ram for 249 or something like it.

[eightbit]

It could work, it should work for 90+% of the games. Though someone posted there are some new games in .62  that require 4ghz to run full speed with sound.

You do know this doesn't come with Windows installed, right? It has a linux based desktop operating system.  That would make me nervous about whether or not you could find drivers for the the hardware if you wanted to run Windows and you would probably have significant challenges running dos.

[rmcelwee]

You do know this doesn't come with Windows installed, right? It has a linux based desktop operating system.  That would make me nervous about whether or not you could find drivers for the the hardware if you wanted to run Windows and you would probably have significant challenges running dos.

Hmmm, good point. I never thought about the hardware not being ready for dos...

[AtariKee]

You do know this doesn't come with Windows installed, right? It has a linux based desktop operating system.  That would make me nervous about whether or not you could find drivers for the the hardware if you wanted to run Windows and you would probably have significant challenges running dos.

Hmmm, good point. I never thought about the hardware not being ready for dos...

Should be no problem. Just boot to DOS from the floppy drive and run fdisk. Get rid of the Linux partition then create a DOS partition. Format and you're good to go (to install Windows, DOS, what have you).

[liche]

You have to careful here now.  If you are thinking about going to DOS, you'll probably need to get a new video card as well as a new sound card depending on whats already in there.  The integrated audio may not work too well.  What type of monitor are you using?  Are you using an arcade monitor (including arcade VGA?)  Then you'll probably need a different video card especially if you are planning on running ADVMame etc...

I bought a nice 500 MHZ Pentium III computer on MAME for my tastes which had a 20GB harddrive, 128MB memory, floppy drive, tower case, and ATI Pro video card.  Works great except I did have to upgrade the sound card and video card.  The computer only cost me about $175.00

So, check ebay to.  For most MAME games (including all the classic 80's early 90's), a 450-500MHZ pentium iii should be fine.

[sam_van]

One note on the super cheap Wal-mart computer: it uses a Via C3 800 MHz processor.  For those of you that aren't familiar with it, it is a low-power "value" x86 processor.  It is also extremely low power & can be run without a fan. Be aware that it is fairly stripped down compute-power-wise; I would estimate that it is the equivalent to a 500-600MHz Celeron.

However, if you do go this route, you might try rolling your own; check out www.mini-itx.com for the mini-itx boards with the C3 processors.  They come with s-video out, sound, etc. and seem pretty slick...oh, and they are only 6.5" x 6.5".  I'm in the process of shoe-horning one into a NES case (with a laptop CD-ROM coming out of the cartridge slot).  Stealth Home Theater Maming.

[liche]

I'd check out ebay.  You can get a decent 500 MHz Pentium III computer with most everything you need for MAME for under $175.00

[rmcelwee]

I'd check out ebay.  You can get a decent 500 MHz Pentium III computer with most everything you need for MAME for under $175.00

I decided to say screw it so I just bought a new Dell (P4 1.8 gig - no monitor) for $360 shipped. If I have problems running dos mame on it I'll just use my old P3 550. Thanks!

[eightbit]

So why don't you want to run windows?

[SNAAAKE]

yeah...i was wondrin about this anti windows thing too

[rmcelwee]

So why don't you want to run windows?

Strange, I replied to this last night but the reply never showed up on the forum. Anyway, I use arcade monitors. As far as I know, you have to run Dos Mame with an arcade monitor, or at least you did 2 years ago when I was doing all of this stuff (I've been out of the hobby for a while).

[eightbit]

Ok, that makes sense then. I think there are video cards coming that will run windows on a arcade monitor. I'm pretty sure the one that Andy over at ultimarc is working on will be able to do it.

[Brad Lee]

One note on the super cheap Wal-mart computer: it uses a Via C3 800 MHz processor.  For those of you that aren't familiar with it, it is a low-power "value" x86 processor.  It is also extremely low power & can be run without a fan. Be aware that it is fairly stripped down compute-power-wise; I would estimate that it is the equivalent to a 500-600MHz Celeron.

However, if you do go this route, you might try rolling your own; check out www.mini-itx.com for the mini-itx boards with the C3 processors.  They come with s-video out, sound, etc. and seem pretty slick...oh, and they are only 6.5" x 6.5".  I'm in the process of shoe-horning one into a NES case (with a laptop CD-ROM coming out of the cartridge slot).  Stealth Home Theater Maming.

Sometime in the immediate future(november or december) VIA is releasing a new EPIA-M mini-itx board, upto 1.2ghz, with supposedly better onboard sound and video. One downside Ive been reading about though is lack of decent dos support for the onboard sound & video, but for windows, the test boards are capable

[ItzMR2u]

I'd like to know the exact web address of the Dell P4 1.8 system for $360.  I've been to Dell and the best I can find is a Celeron 1.8 with no monitor for $389 after a $100 rebate.  If you customize that system to a P4 1.8 the price jumps up into the $800 range.  

[SNAAAKE]

isnt it cheaper if you just put em together yourself ?
also why spend a lot on 1.8 ghz..an xp1600 cpu should be more then enough for mame i think.

You can built a very good computer for around $250 or so for mame machines.SAVE ! money .

[hyiu]

yeah... it might be a little bit cheaper if you put it together yourself.... but then.... you buy parts.. and you put it together.. if somethings don't work well, then its more time and $$....  actually.. if you buy from Dell... my co-worker say you can probably get a system with the LCD, and then sell the LCD from ebay..... will be the cheapest that way....

I guess I'm just lazy.... give a little bit extra and they take care of all the stuff.... if I have more $$... I think I would not even build a cab.... I'll just pay enough $$ to 1Up so that he makes me another rotating panel cab..... (well.... ok.... needs to wake up from my after lunch dream....)  

[eightbit]

Snake not everybodys as technically advanced as yourself.   Also if your going to run Windows and you want a legal copy of it, its going to cost you $200. I don't know if that $380 PC included Windows but if it did then its tough build your own for that price. Though I did go to a computer swap meet a few weeks ago that had a new mini motherboard with everything built in (video, audio, NIC) and a 800mhz CPU soldered into the board for $70. Add a $15 case to that (for the power supply) and you've got a mame computer. If I had needed another PC that would have been tempting. As it is I got several lying around not in use.

I'm not disagreeing with you, I think building is a great way to go its just not as easy as it used to be. I used to build PC's for people but I haven't been able to build them with legal software anymore for what you can get a comparable one with warranty for from any of the big boys.

On top of that its hardly worth doing upgrades most of the time anymore when you look at what a whole new pc cost.

[SNAAAKE]

yup...eightbit,
you do have a point about the windows thing but just wanted to let people know that xp home version is only $99 at best buy.Just cought my eyes ya know.CHEAP and LEGAL!.

I was looking from my view(pc for $200) considering I already have all the os I want(I wont tell you where I got em...hehe...we are not supposed to go there remember what PJ said)

[rmcelwee]

I'd like to know the exact web address of the Dell P4 1.8 system for $360.  I've been to Dell and the best I can find is a Celeron 1.8 with no monitor for $389 after a $100 rebate.  If you customize that system to a P4 1.8 the price jumps up into the $800 range.  

Just go here. I configured mine with 256meg, cd-rw, and no monitor. $340 + $20 tax (or something).

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.asp?customer_ID=04&keycode=14923&order_code=s51104b&x=2&y=6&cfgpg=1

[rmcelwee]

isnt it cheaper if you just put em together yourself ?
also why spend a lot on 1.8 ghz..an xp1600 cpu should be more then enough for mame i think.

You can built a very good computer for around $250 or so for mame machines.SAVE ! money .

I've built tons of computers in the past (I used to be an ISP) but right now I have more money than time. We just bought a new house and building computers is the last thing I need to be doing. $360 was a price that I couldn't pass up. I am betting that the built on sound and video will fall flat for my "dos mame / arcade monitor" setup so I will probably end up building a computer for it anyway.

[SNAAAKE]

you are rich but WHAT is the big deal here.You have money doesn't mean you gotta waste it like that.putting together a computer shouldnt take more then 2 hours after you have everything ready.$380 seem a lot to me(i am cheap).

Look how funny dell is...
in their site..

"ahh...add 512mb ram for only $110 more"

heheehe..thats just wrong.
You can buy 4x512 mb rams for that amount and still have $10 left to go to the arcades and kick people's --I'm attempting to get by the auto-censor and should be beaten after I re-read the rules-- .
Also where is the deal $380.the link goes directly to something for $479 and they give you 128 mb ram to begin with now how funny is that .

[rmcelwee]

you are rich but WHAT is the big deal here.You have money doesn't mean you gotta waste it like that.putting together a computer shouldnt take more then 2 hours after you have everything ready.$380 seem a lot to me(i am cheap).

Look how funny dell is...
in their site..

"ahh...add 512mb ram for only $110 more"

heheehe..thats just wrong.
You can buy 4x512 mb rams for that amount and still have $10 left to go to the arcades and kick people's --I'm attempting to get by the auto-censor and should be beaten after I re-read the rules-- .
Also where is the deal $380.the link goes directly to something for $479 and they give you 128 mb ram to begin with now how funny is that .

I'm not "rich", but I work around 60-70 hours per week right now and do not have ANY spare time on my hands (that's what I meant by more money than time). I haven't added up the cost of the parts but I wouldn't think you could build that $360 machine for less than $260. That means you are only paying $100 to have someone build it for you. I don't know what your time is worth to you but when you have very little spare time $100 isn't too bad (especially if you do not want to deal with the potential frustration of a bad/hard installation). I have a new house and three cars that need worked on (everything is suffering around here due to the long hours I am putting in at work) so I definitely have better stuff to do.
 I'm not sure where the link takes you now but they were having a good deal that lasted until the 20th. No, I would not pay $110 for 256meg but $10 for 128 meg doesn't sound bad (that's why I upgraded). Just for the record, I've had computers since the early 80's and with the exception of two laptops, this is the first "pre-built" computer I have ever had. I've always been put off by the junk they put in them and have always preferred to build them myself. I'm going to give Dell one chance (actually, I'll get a second system from them for my other Mame machine if this one works out ok).

[SNAAAKE]

well good luck then..must be tired workin 60 hours a week..OUCH ! .

I work and go to school and work seem harder.

[rmcelwee]

well good luck then..must be tired workin 60 hours a week..OUCH ! .

I work and go to school and work seem harder.

I'm a supervisor at a chemical company and we are in the process of building a new plant. Right now the work is almost "fun" so I really don't mind putting in the long hours. The overtime is great ($$$) but I will eventually get tired of it. When I ran my internet business I regularly worked 12-16 hours every single day (no vacation for 6 years or so) so this isn't as bad when you think about it. The wife has started complaining a bit so I'll probably scale the hours back AND start working on a new machine (cocktail table ms. pacman I think <G>).

[JustMichael]

Then watch the wife really complain...