Main > Main Forum
Built the cab, now my computer
shmokes:
If you used an N-Force2 motherboard you'd already have an onboard network port so updates wouldn't be bad. You could put everything you wanted to on it that way, but I'd probably get it all set up first. You'd have USB 2.0 ports on the motherboard also, so an external USB 2.0 CD-RW could be easily attached for something like that. I really don't see any significant roadblocks to this. If someone wanted they could do this very easily. It would be far easier than building a full on cab. Less rewarding, but less expensive and far easier.
marcoval:
If you are comfortable building it, and aren't buying an OS, you should easily be able to find one on Pricewatch.com. It also depends on how you want to do the video on this. If you want to do the TV out thing, you will need to buy that card seperately.
Example I just looked and saw an Athlon 1500+ MB combo with on board video and sound for $94 on PW, add a 20 GB HD for $41, and a RADEON 7000 for $30 and 512 Ram for $40 and you've got a decent MAME machine for $205 shipped.
Now would I trust this machine for my regular gaming machine? no.... On board video and sound are historically pieces of poo by today's standards and D3D performance is abysmal. Have I ever had problems getting PW vendors to fess up to their price... Yes. Check their reseller ratings at your favorite site and see if they are trustworthy and check out reviews on the hardware. But if I were not recycling my old computer, I would probably do it this way.
marcoval:
--- Quote from: shmokes on April 02, 2003, 04:04:32 pm ---If you used an N-Force2 motherboard you'd already have an onboard network port so updates wouldn't be bad. You could put everything you wanted to on it that way, but I'd probably get it all set up first. You'd have USB 2.0 ports on the motherboard also, so an external USB 2.0 CD-RW could be easily attached for something like that. I really don't see any significant roadblocks to this. If someone wanted they could do this very easily. It would be far easier than building a full on cab. Less rewarding, but less expensive and far easier.
--- End quote ---
Only problem with this is that N-Force2 boards tend to be on the pricey side for boards. But, very nice and stable.
rampy:
--- Quote from: marcoval on April 02, 2003, 04:19:00 pm ---If you are comfortable building it, and aren't buying an OS, you should easily be able to find one on Pricewatch.com.
Example I just looked and saw an Athlon 1500+ MB combo with on board video and sound for $94 on PW, add a 20 GB HD for $41, and a RADEON 7000 for $30 and 512 Ram for $40 and you've got a decent MAME machine for $205 shipped.
. Have I ever had problems getting PW vendors to fess up to their price... Yes. Check their reseller ratings at your favorite site and see if they are trustworthy and check out reviews on the hardware.
--- End quote ---
(I snipped some text to be concise)
Just to highlight what marcoval is saying...
http://www.pricewatch.com/1/306/4106-1.htm
http://www.pricewatch.com/1/306/4109-1.htm
http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1977.html
http://www.resellerratings.com/seller1812.html
I've had excellent luck (little more money, better reliability) with newegg.com and mwave.com
rampy
Lilwolf:
Pricewatch all the way!
Unless you don't mind referbished. If not, check out compgeeks.com. They sometimes have some great deals on older computers.
DONT go Mini-ITX since they run about 60% speed as a athlon/pentium per clock. So expect the 800mhz around 400mhz speed.
but not needing a fan is AMAZING when you need it!