Help me build a MAME computer

[XtraSmiley]

Hey guys, I'm building a new computer for my MAME cab and so far I have these parts:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811129015

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822136074

I need help picking out a CPU, Mobo and RAM. 

The Mobo does not need to be SLI but it must use PCIe for the video card due to the AVGA card I wil be using.  It must also be able to use SATA and PATA harddrives.

I think at least 1 gig, but 2 gig of generic RAM or cheaper RAM is fine as I will NOT be overclocking the system. 

I'd like to stick to Core Duo or C2D as well, but my budget is around $400-500 for everything (not including the video card).  The two things I picked above are because I think the case will hold up well, it comes with a PSU and it has free shipping which alwasy seems to be close to $15 on cases.  The HD is cheap as well, has plenty of space and has free shipping.  So, can you guys help me finish this system?

[Kaytrim]

If you are building a MAME cab the computer case is extra baggage IMHO.  Choose your MB first then get the PS to power it up.  The HD you chose should do you fine.  There is no need to get the top of the line processor a mid range will work.  Save your money for the RAM as MAME is memory intensive.

Tiger Direct has some good deals.  Here is one that will more than do for your needs and right in your price range.  Though you might want to get another gig of RAM.  Any parts that you don't need, like the DVD RW and Flash Card reader could be stripped out and added to another computer you may have.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[XtraSmiley]

Thanks for the tips.

Here is the RAM I was looking at:

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231098

It's 2 gig for $80.  As for the case, I'm going to need it so it needs to stay.  Anyone else with suggestions?

[Kaytrim]

Thanks for the tips.

Here is the RAM I was looking at:

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231098

It's 2 gig for $80.  As for the case, I'm going to need it so it needs to stay.  Anyone else with suggestions?

The link I pointed you to comes with a case.  It is a refurbished computer that should do you nicely.  But it is up to you.

[XtraSmiley]

Thanks, it's a good link, but I think I can build a better one for cheaper with better specs.  I've also heard that Tiger is NOT a good place to buy from, where as Newegg is great.

Still, I will check it out.  I think C2D is still the way I want to go, so no AMD.  Can someone recommend a good C2D mobo?

[2gooddogs]

I am currently running a gigabyte ds3 with an e6400 processor.  To keep your cost down this might be a good combo.  The motherboard is $100 and the processor is $117.  Two good hardware related sites are www.tomshardware.com and www.anandtech.com.  Just be sure that the motherboard and memory match up. ie correct voltage.  Gskill memory is usually pretty good.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128042 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115013

[XtraSmiley]

I am currently running a gigabyte ds3 with an e6400 processor.  To keep your cost down this might be a good combo.  The motherboard is $100 and the processor is $117.  Two good hardware related sites are www.tomshardware.com and www.anandtech.com.  Just be sure that the motherboard and memory match up. ie correct voltage.  Gskill memory is usually pretty good.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128042 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115013

Thanks man, that will be my CPU.  I was looking at the ABIT P965 mobo though, although your choice seems to be better.  Decisions, decisions...

I hear the price drop is coming July 22nd for the Intel line, but damn, I want to play with my new cab NOW!

[patrickmaher]

Isn't this all a bit overboard for use in a MAME cab? I know we all get into the "I want the best" mind frame sometimes and if that is what you want, that's fine. I just don't think the specs you are looking at are needed for a MAME cab.

What high end PC and MAME games are you planing on playing on this cab?

The following are my thoughts of some of your choices, you may disagree but I will put my opinions out there for you to think about.
 
$100 for a PC case that is going to be inside a cab? Really any case with the proper form factor will do, you wont see it once it's inside the cab. Most times they are sold with PSU, but even if you have to buy them separately it should cost well under $50.

2GB of RAM? 1GB should be enough. Maybe I am wrong on this since I have not tried to play the CHD games that run to slow. Can someone give their input on this? Do any of the games that play to slow in MAME become playable when you move from 1GB to 2GB of RAM?

Generic RAM will probably work out ok, personally I only buy RAM from companies that have the "Limited Lifetime Warranty" because I have had to many sticks of generic RAM go bad.

Not really sure of the current price difference in Dual core vs Solo or older generation CPUs so this might not make much difference anymore.
Dual core does not mean faster. The program you are running has to be coded to use multiple CPUs in order to take advantage of Dual core.
Not sure if this is still the case but from what I have seen in the past is you can get a single core CPU for the same price or less than a dual core that has a slower speed on each core.
You can't say a dual core 1.8Ghz is 1.8 + 1.8 = 3.6Ghz and therefore faster than a single core 3.2Ghz. The program you are running needs multiple CPU support and there will be overhead so that dual 1.8Ghz does not perform at 3.6Ghz. When you are running a program that can't use multiple CPUs you will be stuck with the speed of one core.
I will add that I think I read that the MAME devs are working on multiple CPU support.

Sorry for the rant, but people need to understand this.


Your hard drive choice looks good.  


You can also try shopping at Geeks and ZipZoomFly.


If anyone is looking for a good computer magazine check out MaximumPC for $12/year. They also have weekly podcasts that are good.


Edit: While I was writing my post 2gooddogs posted, at the time I used 1.8Ghz as an example I had not yet read his post.

[XtraSmiley]

Thanks for the input.  I agree on the RAM, I think I went with good stuff that is so cheap at $80 for 2 gig that it is hard to pass up and go with 1.

The case is important b/c I will be moving it out at times and can use it down the road if I pull the mobo out and put it in the cab.

As for the C2D, no reason other than that is where all new CPUs are heading.  It is a step back to buy a single core at this point even if MAME doesn't use it.  The CPU is only $100, so I could go with a solo core, but for what?  A $20 savings?

Don't know about the CHDs either, could someone please chime in?

Not sure if it matters, but I will be using this as a MP3 player and bittorrent hub as well.

Thanks for all the input guys, I really appreciate it!

[patrickmaher]

Thanks for the input.  I agree on the RAM, I think I went with good stuff that is so cheap at $80 for 2 gig that it is hard to pass up and go with 1.

Yea, at that price even if it fails down the road it wont be much of a loss.

The case is important b/c I will be moving it out at times and can use it down the road if I pull the mobo out and put it in the cab.

That's reasonable.

As for the C2D, no reason other than that is where all new CPUs are heading.  It is a step back to buy a single core at this point even if MAME doesn't use it.  The CPU is only $100, so I could go with a solo core, but for what?  A $20 savings?

I see it more as a step back to use dual 1.8Ghz when the same money or less could buy you a single that is over 3Ghz.
Take a look at some of the LGA 775 Pentium 4 and D CPUs on new egg.
Admittedly I have not done much CPU research lately so I do not know what advantages Core 2 has over Pentium 4 or D.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116262

Not sure if it matters, but I will be using this as a MP3 player and bittorrent hub as well.

I assume bittorrent will be off while you are gaming. If you plan to do both at the same time I would keep your games on a separate physical drive from the torrents.

[siddhartha]

If you have a motherboard with a power-on by keyboard/password function, you can start up the computer from the control panel so you don't need power switches mounted on the cab nor have to open it all up

[XtraSmiley]

If you have a motherboard with a power-on by keyboard/password function, you can start up the computer from the control panel so you don't need power switches mounted on the cab nor have to open it all up

Thanks for the tip guys.

Siddhartha, can you link to such a mobo?

[knave]

Just thought I'd clarify all the ghz flying around...

A core 2 duo 1.8Ghz CPU is much much faster than a Pentium 4 3.0Ghz. Even if it's only using one of it's core.

The architecture of the two chips is different The core 2 duo is able to perform faster at a reduced clock.  This reduces heat and power consumption as well.

Think RPM's for cars: a car that runs at a higher RPM than another is not necessarily faster than one running at a lower RPM.

Regardless I agree with both sides.  There's not anything wrong with getting a lower end C2D, even though any 2ghz CPU would do nicely for a Mame PC.

[XtraSmiley]

Just thought I'd clarify all the ghz flying around...

A core 2 duo 1.8Ghz CPU is much much faster than a Pentium 4 3.0Ghz. Even if it's only using one of it's core.

The architecture of the two chips is different The core 2 duo is able to perform faster at a reduced clock.  This reduces heat and power consumption as well.

Think RPM's for cars: a car that runs at a higher RPM than another is not necessarily faster than one running at a lower RPM.

Regardless I agree with both sides.  There's not anything wrong with getting a lower end C2D, even though any 2ghz CPU would do nicely for a Mame PC.

OK great, so my choice to go C2D but a lower end one is good right?

Can someone help out or explain about the types of mobos that was posted above?  Since this is going to a cab, being able to turn it off via the cp would be useful.

[knave]

OK great, so my choice to go C2D but a lower end one is good right?

Can someone help out or explain about the types of mobos that was posted above?  Since this is going to a cab, being able to turn it off via the cp would be useful.

Well If it were me...I'd get a better C2D system and use it as my current computer and recycle my slightly older PC for a mame cab.

As far as motherboards...I always fo to toms hardware guide and check out what they have to say in one of their MB roundups.
If I don't want to read the whole article I will skip to the conclusion and see which MB they liked best.  So far I have built rock solid systems this way...Skimping on the Motherboard is a crapshoot...it can work or it can lead to headaches.

[Green Giant]

I wanted to second the earlier mentions of www.geeks.com

If you want a case, you can get many different cases with power supplies for $20-$30.  These cases work great.  I have one in my cab and one for my main computer.  The case in my cab actually has a build in handle that makes it extremely easy to carry around like a piece of luggage.

As for tigerdirect, I have never had trouble with them.  They usually sell combo deals for cpu/motherboard for like 130.  Not sure what you heard, but I have never had a problem.