CP Width: 20, 22, 24, or 26" ?

[coasternuts]

I intend to use a 21" computer monitor.  The internal width I can do a minimum of 20" to a max of 26".   I will do swappable panels on a scratch built cabinet.   I want to allow for rotating the monitor.

For you rebels, that's inches. 

Which would you do and why?

I just want to look at all of my options before I cut my interior pieces.
Thanks.

[AlanS17]

Do you plan on rotating panels or just swapping them out manually?

[markrvp]

My personal feeling is to go for 26"   All the panels I have put together have needed that much width for 2 player controls.

[AlanS17]

Well most original fighting games don't have panels that wide. You could get by on 22" inches. And alot of those games use 25" monitors. This monitor isn't as big so moving players out towards the ends of a large control panel might give them an awkward view of the screen.

If you're going to be switching out panels, anyways, then the amount of stuff you can fit on one panel won't matter as much.

Panel depth is probably more important than panel width if the control panel isn't going to be too crowded.

[Flinkly]

i'd go for the biggest.  personally, i have a 27 inch internal width panel, and it still fits through all the doors, except the closet, but it's never going in there.  the reason for the biggest is that hopefully some day you'll get a bigger monitor, and when you do, you'll have the space you need.  the only downside to this at the moment is the fact that your monitor will look incredibly small till you upgrade.

so i guess it depends on if you plan to upgrade within the next year or if your up to starting from scratch if you do upgrade.

[coasternuts]

Currently for depth I was planning 12.5".  Please don't tell me I want more.  I already cut the profiles.   

No rotating panels.  I can think of 4 panels I would like to have.

If I were to upgrade, I would upgrade to a 25" or 27" Arcade monitor or TV.   My 27" TV(which I could use) I think would fit in a 26" width.

[AlanS17]

A 12.5" depth will be just fine.

[Flinkly]

i think i've got a 10 inch deep panel...but i switch out panels.  the only bad part is taht i won't ever be able to make a positional gun panel.

[dema]

I think 26" is the best of the options you listed. You'll be glad when you have friends over and you're not fighting each other for shoulder and arm space.