Main > Main Forum
Challenge: Build a MAME computer for <$350 [PARTS ORDERED! - Comments??]
<< < (3/7) > >>
johnperkins21:
P4 2.8GHZ $85 shipped (add $12 for heatsink). http://www.starmicro.net/detail.aspx?ID=119
Abit Mobo $61 shipped. http://www.pcprogress.com/product.asp?m1=pw&pid=ABSG%2D71
1 GB RAM (2 512MB sticks) $75 shipped. http://www.stalliontek.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=DDR2700%2D00400
450W PSU $15 shipped. http://3btech.net/ch45atxposup.html
200 GB SATA HD $65 shipped. http://www.basoncomputer.com/MX6B200M0/item.aspx
Radeon 9200 128MB $35 shipped. http://3btech.net/chatira92se8.html

Total cost: $348

It's possible, but you're not getting a case with this or an optical drive. I would agree that you're better off bumping up your expectations to at least $400-$450 for something you'll really be happy with.

Edit: I didn't include an operating system. You can get Linux for free, but you're probably looking at $100 (at least) for a WinXP disc.


javeryh:

--- Quote from: johnperkins21 on June 13, 2006, 02:56:39 am ---P4 2.8GHZ $85 shipped (add $12 for heatsink). http://www.starmicro.net/detail.aspx?ID=119
Abit Mobo $61 shipped. http://www.pcprogress.com/product.asp?m1=pw&pid=ABSG%2D71
1 GB RAM (2 512MB sticks) $75 shipped. http://www.stalliontek.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=DDR2700%2D00400
450W PSU $15 shipped. http://3btech.net/ch45atxposup.html
200 GB SATA HD $65 shipped. http://www.basoncomputer.com/MX6B200M0/item.aspx
Radeon 9200 128MB $35 shipped. http://3btech.net/chatira92se8.html

Total cost: $348

It's possible, but you're not getting a case with this or an optical drive. I would agree that you're better off bumping up your expectations to at least $400-$450 for something you'll really be happy with.

Edit: I didn't include an operating system. You can get Linux for free, but you're probably looking at $100 (at least) for a WinXP disc.




--- End quote ---

Thanks!!!  I have an old DVD drive I can use off of an old computer and my slightly new laptop came with XP so I think I can just install that (don't they allow like 2 computers to use it in the home or something?).

Do you think really upping the budget will make me happier?  When I say MAME, SNES and NES only I definitely mean it.  I won't be using it to play music, send emails or anything else - it's purely a gaming machine that will go in the corner of the TV room.  I've spent a lot on building my cab so far and I don't want to skimp with what's probably the most important part so an extra $100 to be way happier in the long run is probably worth it to me.  That said, I'd rather not unless it's necessary.  I want to be able to play KI and KI2 at 100% but I will probably be playing games like Mr. Do! and Ms. Pac-man the most.  I just want the option to play some fighting games when friends come over and KI seems to be the most demanding out of the fighters I like to play...
johnperkins21:

--- Quote from: javeryh on June 13, 2006, 12:00:47 pm ---Thanks!!!  I have an old DVD drive I can use off of an old computer and my slightly new laptop came with XP so I think I can just install that (don't they allow like 2 computers to use it in the home or something?).

Do you think really upping the budget will make me happier?  When I say MAME, SNES and NES only I definitely mean it.  I won't be using it to play music, send emails or anything else - it's purely a gaming machine that will go in the corner of the TV room.  I've spent a lot on building my cab so far and I don't want to skimp with what's probably the most important part so an extra $100 to be way happier in the long run is probably worth it to me.  That said, I'd rather not unless it's necessary.  I want to be able to play KI and KI2 at 100% but I will probably be playing games like Mr. Do! and Ms. Pac-man the most.  I just want the option to play some fighting games when friends come over and KI seems to be the most demanding out of the fighters I like to play...

--- End quote ---

That deal is for a refurb mobo. I would throw an extra $100 on the things that are tougher to upgrade later like the mobo and processor. Maybe start off with a <100GB HD and 512MB RAM. It also might save you some headaches if you can get all the parts from one place. It might cost a little more, but dealing with returns/exchanges and shipping will be easier.

Ultimately it's up to you what will make you happy. This system will probably play the games you want, but I can not guarantee it, nor do I vouch for any of the vendors I listed. Go to http://www.pricewatch.com and you'll find some good deals. Using old parts like your DVD drive is a great way to save some money.

Good luck,
John
javeryh:
That's a great idea - I think I picked a better motherboard at the expense of RAM and hard drive space...  I tried piecing something together from newegg... how does this look?  Am I going to be able to play KI, MK3 and SFA3 with this setup?  Am I missing anything? 

Most importantly: do all of these parts "talk" to each other??

OK, here we go...

Hard Drive: $45.99 [80GB]
Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD800JD
Item #: N82E16822135106
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822135106

Motherboard: $89.99
EPoX EP-8NPA SLI Socket 754 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #: EP-8NPA SLI
Item #: N82E16813123257
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813123257

Processor: $97.99 [2.0GHz]
AMD Sempron 64 3300+ Palermo 1600MHz HT 128KB L2 Cache Socket 754 Processor - Retail
Model #: SDA3300BXBOX
Item #: N82E16819104233
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819104233

Memory: $40.99 [512MB]
CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory - Retail
Model #: VS512MB400
Item #: N82E16820145026
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145026

Video Card: $49.99
GIGABYTE GV-NX57128DP Geforce PCX5750 128MB 128-bit DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Model #: GV-NX57128DP
Item #: N82E16814125194
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125194

Power Supply: $74.99 [485W]
ENERMAX Noisetaker EG495P-VE SFMA ATX 485W Power Supply 115/230 V UL (Level 3), cUL (Level 3), VDE, CB, NEMKO, SEMKO, DEMKO, FIMKO - Retail
Model #: EG495P-VE SFMA
Item #: N82E16817103457
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103457

TOTAL: $399.94

Thanks!!!
johnperkins21:
I'll look at that setup tonight when I get home.

I can not comment on speeds for playing those games as my current setup is less than that and I haven't tried those 3 games. Maybe someone here with more experience using MAME can speak to that point.
Navigation
Message Index
Next page
Previous page

Go to full version