PC?

[N8]

Im wondering what the cheapest setup for a Emulator dedicated pc would be.  I want it to be specifically for mame, nes, genesis, and snes.  I want to be able to make it into a mame cabinet after I get the pc, but dont have that much cash.  Right now I have a Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, dvd rom drive, speakers, and PC case.  Im thinking that all I need is a Hard drive, cpu, mother board, and graphics card.  What do you all think would be the cheapest option?

[greven grevs]

the cheapest thing to do wouild be to take the computer you are using now to surf the internet and put it in the cab.

[N8]

Could I just use dual monitors and buy a premade arcade stick?

[Lilwolf]

for about a year I used my arcade cabinet as a big computer case... And had two monitors (switch box) and my keyboard attached to the back of my encoder.

worked great

only trouble is I wanted to play games when working

[DaveMMR]

Nate (N8), I've noticed that in this age of falling computer prices, you will eventually run into someone who is looking to get rid of their "old" computer.  Put the word out with friends and family that you're looking for a used computer and soon you'll be getting some cheap, if not free, computers that while not the latest and greatest - are more than adequate for their purpose.

[N8]

Yeah Im just gonna have to scope out the rummage sales.  What size hard drives do you all have in your rigs?

[paigeoliver]

A used computer local off ebay for $20 is more than enough for emulators. Hard drive size doesn't matter. Any more modern system literally has enough space to hold EVERY ROM ever. If yours is smaller than that then just delete the garbage ones (most of the REALLY BIG roms need killer fast computers to run).