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Author Topic: PC specs - overkill?  (Read 2223 times)

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Anubis_au

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PC specs - overkill?
« on: May 16, 2007, 11:14:45 pm »
Hi guys

I've finally taken the plunge; have done enough research to be able to begin making my own arcade machine. I've already ordered an ArcadeVGA (PCI-E version), an I-PAC2 and two Ultrastiks from Andy, and they are on their way.

While I am in the CAD stage of planning my cabinet, I want to get a testbed in place to test the various output device options, so that I can purchase my screen of choice and factor its size into the cabinet design. To that end, I've been looking at pc components to build a new pc.

The question is, are the specs below overkill, or have I spec'ed it about right, or even not spec'ed it high enough? If you can see where I might save a few bucks by downgrading specs where I can, let me know...

Foxconn DH-839 (Micro-ATX) case
A-Bit IP-95 motherboard (supports PCI-E)
3.2 or 3.4 GHz P4 (775)
1GB DDR2 RAM
Lite-on DVD-ROM / CD-RW combo
250G SATA
on board sound

My main concern: does a Micro ATX PSU have enough power to handle a pc, monitor, I-PAC, speakers, marquee light, side neon rings (yes, I'm doing a Knievel neon thing) and LEDWiz? This is my concern... I could always go for a bigger case with higher rated PSU but my cab will be based on an Aussie lowboy so size is of the essence, hence the small form-factor case I've spec'ed.

Anyway, opinions on wether its overkill / underkill, or... kill? :P

leapinlew

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Re: PC specs - overkill?
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2007, 11:25:59 pm »
Thats way more CPU than I've thrown into a cabinet...

As for your PSU worries... skip using the computers PSU for that power. Use a wallwart.

leapinlew

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Re: PC specs - overkill?
« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2007, 11:27:15 pm »
Just make sure you get one that pumps out the right voltage and I presume DC


vidmouse

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Re: PC specs - overkill?
« Reply #3 on: May 17, 2007, 12:11:26 am »
I can't speak for the Foxconn but I'm not sure I would use the microATX case...
presumably your cab would have the space to hold a standard ATX and
you might get better heat dissipation in doing so (some people don't
even use a case at all, just mount the components direct in the cab)

Also, if you change to a standard ATX case, you'd have to change your
motherboard most likely...?


Anubis_au

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Re: PC specs - overkill?
« Reply #4 on: May 17, 2007, 12:55:25 am »
hmm... heat dissipation... hadn't considered that.

In my previous cab I used an old pc, and ran it case open.... but it was a Neo-Geo 4-player cab with alot more internal room.

But I might have a look at a normal case, running it open, or even just mounting the boards on the cab walls... thats how I ran the monitor high voltage and deflector circuitry last time...

Anubis_au

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Re: PC specs - overkill?
« Reply #5 on: May 17, 2007, 12:57:52 am »
Thats way more CPU than I've thrown into a cabinet...

As for your PSU worries... skip using the computers PSU for that power. Use a wallwart.

What CPU do people have in their cabs? Has anyone else recently bought a new pc for a MAME box, and if so, what did they use? My P3 800MHz ran pretty much everything, although lagged in some later games...

Silver

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Re: PC specs - overkill?
« Reply #6 on: May 17, 2007, 01:09:42 am »
Personally I would go for something pretty beefy - it will last longer.

If I was buying now, I'd get the cheapest Core2Duo processor I could. They completely wipe the floor with P4's in Mame, and run a LOT cooler, and use less power.

Anubis_au

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Re: PC specs - overkill?
« Reply #7 on: May 17, 2007, 01:13:56 am »
Personally I would go for something pretty beefy - it will last longer.

If I was buying now, I'd get the cheapest Core2Duo processor I could. They completely wipe the floor with P4's in Mame, and run a LOT cooler, and use less power.

Is there a large performance difference between P4 and Core2Duo for running MAME? Is MAME even written to take advantage of the dual core?

And again, does MAME need the extra power to run effectively? My cab will be a simple 2-player, 6 or 7 buttons per player cab. No trackball. I doubt it would have any game newer than SF2 running... so isn't the core3duo overkill? Is even a 3.2GHz P4 overkill for this?

cowguy

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Re: PC specs - overkill?
« Reply #8 on: May 17, 2007, 07:57:29 am »
If your not gonna run anything newer than SF2 than thats overkill! The computer I put in my cab is a AMD Athlon XP 2200+ 266 MHz 256 KB Socket A Processor, 256mb ram, Radeon 9600 pro GPU, 80g hardrive, and a nothing special Biostar M7VIW-D Socket A Motherboard

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Re: PC specs - overkill?
« Reply #9 on: June 24, 2007, 12:30:16 am »
What CAD program are you using?  I'm not yet finished with my first project...but am starting to think of plans for my second cab.  I ended up running into some snags on this one that I'd rather avoid on the next go around.  I thought a CAD version first might help, but I have had no luck figuring out AutoCAD.

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Re: PC specs - overkill?
« Reply #10 on: June 24, 2007, 03:13:16 am »
For CAD, a nice free easy-to-use one is Google Sketchup.  It isn't as powerful as anything else, but it gets the job done and is super simple.

As for PC specs, a more powerful CPU will help mainly with 3D games, such as Race Drivin' or Virtua Fighter.  Pretty much all 2D games don't need much.  I personally have a MicroATX board in my prototype (because I was originally building mine as a little desktop arcade machine), along with an Athlon XP 3200+ and a 330 watt Micro-ATX power suppy.  Works fine for me even in the little case, though it's helped by having both the power supply venting out the back and a large case-fan venting out the side.  But if you haven't bought it yet, a normal ATX motherboard and case will be cheaper (though larger).


Anubis_au

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Re: PC specs - overkill?
« Reply #11 on: June 25, 2007, 03:07:48 am »
I have already bought it, went with the Micro-ATX motherboard, but ended up swapping cases for a Micro form factor, non-slimline case.

My friend at work will be doing the CAD stuff (he has been doing CAD for 40+ years, even teaches it)... (that is, he's been doing drafting for that long).