Help deciding what computer and software to use

[rhett]

I know that a lot is written already on this, but it's hard for me to find definative answers.  I'm setting up a mame box with the UAII case, slikstik classic, and betson 27" monitor.  Probably I will use the AVGA card, though maybe I will just use a normal VGA card.  I don't actually mind the screen having higher than authentic quality.  S-video on a TV was too fuzzy for me though.

My questions are:

1.  What are the minimum computer specs I want.  How cheap can I go?  I'd like to be able to play N64 games, GoldenTee 2k, without any lagging whatsoever.

2.  What frontloader/software package should I use?  To me, it doesn't make sense to load windows on the machine since that will just eat up resources, and this computer will not be used for windows anyway.  I like that there is a linux distribution with a lot of emulators pre-installed.  I've also read UncleT's very long MameWah document.

The problem is that problem 1 sort of depends on problem 2, but I can't really test problem 2 untill I solve problem 1.  So does anyone have a good recipie?


My criteria for the mame box is:

1. Fast boot at loading time. 
2. I want to essentially hide the computer.  It should turn on and off via a button
3. Ease of use for the menu, and sort of idiot-proof so maybe kids who can't read can use it.

My gut feeling is that if I use linux or windows, the boot time will be slower than dos, and I could screw up the registry more likely by doing hard reboots.  Is it possible to buy setup cd's from people with all the frontloaders and emulators configured and installed, or download that somewhere?

I am a huge fan of Crazy Taxi for the dreamcast, but I just tried nullDC, and while it's much better than previous dreamcast emulators, it's too slow on my high-end computer.  To me, it still makes sense to play dreamcast on an actual console.  It would be nice if I could somehow put that machine inside my arcade box and have that send video out to my monitor too.

[rhett]

ok, this:
benchmark.mameworld.net
and
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=14155.0;all

is telling me that basically a 2 Ghz machine is more than what I need.  I'm a little surprised that people are doing so well with 256 MB of RAM with windows XP running in the background.  I can understand how 256 MB of RAM is more than enough for DOS, but I would assume that you need to really strip down xp, if you're going that route.

[Fozzy The Bear]

ok, this:
benchmark.mameworld.net
and
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=14155.0;all

is telling me that basically a 2 Ghz machine is more than what I need.  I'm a little surprised that people are doing so well with 256 MB of RAM

For Mame 2Ghz will run almost everything that actually works at the moment. Provided that you are NOT running the current releases of Mame which are much slower. Drop back to a version prior to .112 and you should be OK. 

The fact that you want to run other emulators as well, especially heavy weight stuff like dreamcast emulators, tells me that you need more horsepower than 2Ghz though.

The answer to this is to go for a machine that is as fast as you can afford with as much memory as you can afford.

One thing you should do right away though!! Is forget buying the SICKSLICK panel oops sorry typo again, Slickstick Panel. His products are OK (Just OK)...... But his customer service and delivery promises that are rarely met on time, make it an absolute No No.  He's regularly been on here insulting his competitors and his customers when they dare to have a problem with his products. Don't Go There!!

As for the UAII They're OK but a very expensive way to build a machine. If you have access to woodworking tools then you'd be way better off building your own cabinet.

Front Ends and Software are very much a personal choice and you'll get different answers on that from everbody you ask. I personally use MameWah as a front end because it's very flexible. Other people prefer Mala and there are also a host of other front ends out there. The answer for you is that you have to try them out and find one that you like. You won't get an instant "put this with this for the ideal system" type answer on here.

Is it possible to buy setup cd's from people with all the frontloaders and emulators configured and installed, or download that somewhere?

No it isn't..... I'll qualify that. It sounds way too much like you are looking for quick fix answers here. A pre built cabinet kit, a pre built controller, a pre built system including everything in the software already working for you...... Please read the name of this forum. You should be looking at how to do this stuff not for a quick fix. Part of the fun and pleasure you will get from your cabinet is that you can stand back and say "HEY!! I DID THAT!!!"

If you're looking for this quick fix because you're worried that you won't be able to do it, then fear not!!  That's what this forum is for. If you get stuck somebody will help.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)