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Challenge: Build a MAME computer for <$350 [PARTS ORDERED! - Comments??]
javeryh:
Requirements (i.e. things I think you need):
1. Motherboard (~3Ghz?) (with 4? USB slots)
2. Power supply (not sure how mant watts) (no case - computer will be installed directly to cab)
3. Hard drive (100GB)
4. RAM (512MB or 1GB)
5. video card(?)
6. audio card(?)
7. speakers (2.1)
8. wireless card for maintenance (?)
Also, I already have 3 80mm Vantec Stealth fans (12V) that will cool the entire inside of the cabinet.
This computer will not do ANYTHING except run a few emulators (MAME, Nester, SNES9X, etc.) but I do want to play Metal Slug 3, MK3 and KI at 100%. It will not be used for modern computer games but if I can figure it out I might want to add "You Don't Know Jack" for the wife. I don't know much about building computers but I want to learn.
Hopefully this thread will help other beginners like me put something together. THANKS!! ;D
zenmasterbooty:
Why buy anything? I remember running Mame on an old 333. In fact, the first machine I made to run Mame was an old school desk with a network of three CPUs that I built out of junk people were throwing away. It only cost me $1.50 for some bolts to hold on the old hair dyer/speaker dome.
If you don't have any geek friends always throwing things out, search the discount bins at the local computer store. You really don't need much power to run these emus.
Howard_Casto:
--- Quote from: zenmasterbooty on June 11, 2006, 09:38:36 pm ---You really don't need much power to run these emus.
--- End quote ---
:laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:
I mean on offense what-so-ever, but unless your idea of "run these emus" means run a 5 year old version of mame and NOT run mslug3 and KI that is the silliest thing I've ever heard.
mslug3 needs 450 mhz MINIMUM to run without frameskipping. Heck even simple cps2 games need around 400mhz to run full speed in mame. Ki (in mame at least) needs at least a 1.5 gig processor to run full speed... really more than that but I don't know the exact number.
testicle187:
Get a used compaq or emachine off of ebay. You really don't need a powerful video card or an awesome sound card. Just processing power and clean install of windows will do the trick. I have an Emachine 2.66ghz celeron that runs KI and KI2 full speed.
zenmasterbooty:
Me thinks you misunderstand,
by today's standers a 1.5 gig processor is darn pretty slow. In fact it's so low-end it would be hard to find in a new system. Unless of course you live in a 3rd world country.
I'm not suggesting you could get away with a 333 and run all the games you want, but you don't need a 3 gig machine to run these programs.