$180 in Computer Hardware, what should I get?

[starnix17]

OK.... I have around $180 and I wanna speed up the very slow system in my cabinet.
Here's what I'd like:
Motherboard
Processor (preferably AMD)
and a cheap video card that supports output to a television.

I don't need anything too fancy, all I play is MAME (up to newer fighting games like the King of Fighters 2001), SNES roms, NES roms, Genesis, and Stepmania. I have RAM and a hard drive to spare.

I was browsing Newegg, and it seems I might be able to pull it off.

[Crazy Cooter]

MicroCenter usually has some good prices.

www.microcenter.com

[unix4hire]

Why don't you just go get in line at Best Buy right now (or other favorite electronic store) and buy a complete computer system tomorrow morning for $150?

ok sure there's a lot of crappy rebates involved so charge it for now and pay it off with the rebates.

[iwillfearnoevil]

what speed/type of ram do you already have?

[elvis]

what speed/type of ram do you already have?

Yes.  Knowing that will make upgrade suggestions easier.

[GreenKnight37]

I think it was OfficeDepot that had a $90 dollar, 2.8Ghz, 256 RAM, HP-Compaq computer tomorrow morning.

Comes with free printer and 17 inch monitor.

You'll pay $450 up-front and get the rest of the cash back in rebates.  So if you have a bit more cash to spare at this point, I'd go that route.

I'm very tempted to pick up one for a future cab myself.

[starnix17]

Thanks for all the replies!
I think I know what look for on the mobo/processor, but what cheap graphics card can output to a television good?

[D10]

Thanks for all the replies!
I think I know what look for on the mobo/processor, but what cheap graphics card can output to a television good?

I would look at an ATI based card. I myself have always had better luck with TV out on an ATI card vs. a Nvidia card. Nvidia cards don't overscan as well as an ATI cards do.

I heard that Nvidia has made changes to their drivers for newer cards, but I have not tried my 6600's TV out to see if they have.

[markb]

I use a Radeon 9200se and it works fine even, it even plays the likes of Doom, also the 9250 would be good and it is very cheap. Try www.ebuyer.com for either of them.

[Crazy Cooter]

I've used old Nvidia cards in the past.  Kind of a hassle, but they always worked in the end.  I've since switched to ATI cards,  and they're easier to get running in TV-out mode (IMO).  I picked up my 9600se for ~$30 about 2-years ago and love it.  It still plays most of the newer games too.  I even have it working with Quake 4 with a handful of tweaks to get the resolution down (never tried Doom).  It plays Counter-Strike Source & Need for Speed Underground 2 just fine.

Microcenter has the 9250 mentioned by markb for $50:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0218685
I have a local store so I've never dealt with their shipping.

[IG-88]

I think it was OfficeDepot that had a $90 dollar, 2.8Ghz, 256 RAM, HP-Compaq computer tomorrow morning.

Comes with free printer and 17 inch monitor.

You'll pay $450 up-front and get the rest of the cash back in rebates.