Main > Main Forum
Building a PC for MAME, Need some suggestions
(1/4) > >>
needlesmcgirk:
So the cabinet is just about complete.  Finished painting it over the weekend and just need to do the finishing touches now (bezel, marquee, etc.).  I also need to build the computer to run MAME on and I could use some suggestions.  I'm experienced with building PCs, I'm not sure what's all important for running MAME other than a good, fast CPU.

CPU/Motherboard: Right now I am looking at getting an AMD 64 processor (probably 2.2 ghz) on a solid 929 socket motherboard.  Is there any reason to spend twice as much for dual core?

RAM:  I'm thinking 512 MB will be enough.  Should I get more?

HD: I have an ATA 60 GIG hard drive.  Will a newer SATA or SATA HD run MAME better at all?

Video Card:  I am really not sure here.  MAME doesn't use hardware acceleration so I'm thinking about just getting a very cheap, generic card.  Suggestions?

Sound Card:  I will probably just use the onboard sound, but maybe I will get a SB Live card anyway, but I don't think it will be necessary.

Also I am going to be running this on XP.  I need to figure out which front end gui to run.  It will be on a TV and MAME32 isn't going to cut it with that low TV resolution.

Thanks so much for all your help!
Xam:

--- Quote from: needlesmcgirk on January 08, 2007, 09:42:39 am ---So the cabinet is just about complete.  Finished painting it over the weekend and just need to do the finishing touches now (bezel, marquee, etc.).  I also need to build the computer to run MAME on and I could use some suggestions.  I'm experienced with building PCs, I'm not sure what's all important for running MAME other than a good, fast CPU.

CPU/Motherboard: Right now I am looking at getting an AMD 64 processor (probably 2.2 ghz) on a solid 929 socket motherboard.  Is there any reason to spend twice as much for dual core?

RAM:  I'm thinking 512 MB will be enough.  Should I get more?

HD: I have an ATA 60 GIG hard drive.  Will a newer SATA or SATA HD run MAME better at all?

Video Card:  I am really not sure here.  MAME doesn't use hardware acceleration so I'm thinking about just getting a very cheap, generic card.  Suggestions?

Sound Card:  I will probably just use the onboard sound, but maybe I will get a SB Live card anyway, but I don't think it will be necessary.

Also I am going to be running this on XP.  I need to figure out which front end gui to run.  It will be on a TV and MAME32 isn't going to cut it with that low TV resolution.

Thanks so much for all your help!

--- End quote ---

CPU should be fine...course more is always better. I was running MAME (ver 106 I think) on an AMD 1.2 and had no problems. I don't think MAME is currently taking advantage of the dual core capabilities...I could be very wrong here.

RAM should be ok at 512...again...more is never a bad thing. I had 1 gig in my AMD mentioned above.

Video card...make sure to get at least a 128k thoguh I have heard of people running lower...not sure what chipset is good...I think something like the ATI 9600's have good results with MAME.

Hope this helps,
Xam
needlesmcgirk:
Thanks for your help!  Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
TOK:
I don't think MAME will do anything with Dual Core. You're better off getting a faster standard processor. I have two machines, one has a 2ghz AMD, the other has a 2ghz Pentium and both run great.
I prefer older builds of MAME though (.99). The newer the version, the more CPU power you will need.
Crax:

--- Quote from: Xam on January 08, 2007, 12:03:05 pm ---

Video card...make sure to get at least a 128k thoguh I have heard of people running lower...not sure what chipset is good...I think something like the ATI 9600's have good results with MAME.


--- End quote ---

128MB.  Would be pretty hard to find one with 128k and wouldn't work too well for you  ;D
Navigation
Message Index
Next page

Go to full version