New Computer for MAME

[Dizzle]

So, the harddrive on my MAME computer crashed -- the drive wasn't even a year old.  Just another episode in a long history of frustrations with this computer which was actually a freebie.   

Instead of putting anymore money into this machine, I've decided to move on.  I don't want to spend a lot of money -- the machine will  be used exclusively for MAME and other classic emulators -- but I don't want to go too cheap and have processing power become an issue when running some of the games that take a lot of processing power (Killer Instinct comes to mind).

I was thinking something like an eMachines -- I see one with an AMD Athlon 64 3800+.  I'll definitely be adding memory to it, but I wanted to see what everyone thought about it.  My other concern is everything comes with Windows Vista now and I'm not sure how well all of the emulators work with the new OS.

Any help?

Thanks!

[TheDriver]

Buy the components, you will be much cheaper this way, mount the mb in the cab. Just my opinion as I have never bought a PC off the shelf.

Regards.

[Neilyboy]

I used to think I could do better building a machine from newegg parts online but lately you would be impressed with what they have to offer for a decent price on dell small business (just makeup a fake business name when you order-I just did this for a cousin of mine 2 weeks ago when they had the deal on spoofee.

This was the most recent deal.
http://slickdeals.net/?permadeal=10238#direct_deal_10238

$469 with free shipping

Specs

Intel Core 2 Duo Proc E6550 (2.33GHz,4MB L2Cache,1333FSB)
Genuine Windows XP Home or Vista Home Basic if selected
Dell 19 inch Widescreen E198WFP Analog Flat Panel Monitor which you can upgrade to the 20" digital flatpanel below for 50 bucks
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz - 2DIMMs
80GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache
48x CD Burner / DVD-ROM Combo Drive
128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8300GS upgrade below
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
1 Year Limited Hardware Warranty with Next Business Day On-Site Service
Good upgrades to consider:

Dell 20 inch Widescreen E207WFP Digital Flat Panel Display [add $50]
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600GT [add $50] or 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600GTS, 2DVI [add $80]

All for around 500 bucks or so give or take a 100 depending on your specifications.. but then you have a brand spankin new 20" lcd to mess around with.

Neil

[Shattered]

I agree with the "order a cheapy" method, chances are building your own will cost you more.   Even if it costs a bit more, you get a "turn-key" box.   All you have to do is, plot it in the cabinet and load the software and your ready to go.   

Building your own takes time, and fussing.   

[urbecrisch]

Check out ubid.com I bought a refurb Gateway that has more than enough power to run Mame and is also expandable for $290 including shipping.  Didn't come with OS, mouse or keyboard but you can get all of those cheap somewhere else if u want.  Worth checking out.  Good luck.

[Tiger-Heli]

I've been shopping PC's for my mother-in-law, and yes, it's tough to find anything at BB or Circuit City that doesn't have Vista on it.

I don't think Vista would be a problem for MAME or other EMU's, but it creeeps along with 1G of RAM, is decent with 2G and likes 4G.  Memory is cheap now, but my XP machine really doesn't use the memory over 1G and would be okay on 768M or even 512M, so I hate upgrading the machine just to support the OS.

I haven't bought from them, but I was pretty impressed with this company: http://www.pc-infinity.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=PWX2420025640

For about $350, you can get a WinXP system from them with XP 4200 processor, 1G of RAM, 80Gb HD - you would have to use your current keyboard and speakers and stuff, but for a cabinet that doesn't matter.

You could load XP on it yourself also, if you have or obtain a copy that will install on a new machine.

They do 72-hour burn-in, offer free shipping, and give a 3-year warranty.

I don't work for them, but the website looks good to me.

HTH!!!

[Chunce DeLeone]

I agree with the fact that if you are savvy enough you could save a hell of allot of trouble by buying a /cheeapy barbones deal.......but just for your reference I peiced together a great box with a AMD Athlon 64 3800+ 1 gig ram with one of the new age video cards which i installed XP on it and i couldn't be happier.  To hell with Vista.....use XP and Strip it down to nothing....My total cost was about $400-$450 can't remember exactly

[DaOld Man]

Might check out http://www.directron.com
I have found some good deals on refurbished IBMs here.

[SithMaster]

Id avoid emachines.  My power supply overheated one day and ruined my motherboard.

Id say its best to buy a pc from a store (after the above fiasco i had to get a xp disc) and for mame its cheaper to buy one that has an os preinstalled.

otherwise newegg has a nice biostar board and a 40 dollar amd athlon chip for a 939 socket.

[RayB]

If the drive was less than a year old, then it's probably still under warranty. Call the company's customer support. (Have the serial number and model on hand!)

I've had drives croak on me under warranty. THe manufacturer shipped out a replacement right away, free of charge, along with an empty box to send the old one in.

Buying an "all in one" computer doesn't guarantee you ANYTHING. The drive in an eMachines could croak too!

[MrMojoZ]

Id avoid emachines.  My power supply overheated one day and ruined my motherboard.

This man speaks the truth. I have seen seen at least two emachines with blown powersupply+motherboards every week for the last few years. It is absolutely amazing how often these things fail. Almost always Bestec powersupplies that do it too, so be forewarned.

[Dervacumen]

Yeah, I've had two relatives' emachines' power supplies fail.
If you have a little patience, you can usually save a lot of money getting a prebuilt system.  Just not an emachines.  IMO.

[miles2912]

Some of those dells on special are hard to beat.  Especially when you toss in a 3 year warranty.  My advice is see if you can RMA the dead drive and put it in the new pc.  Sell the case - mobo - memory and cpu and you should be just fine.

[Dizzle]

Wow!  Thanks for all the excellent suggestions!  I think I will stay away from emachines and check out the other sources mentioned above.  Sounds like finding an XP machine shouldn't be that hard either.

Thanks!!   

[Tiger-Heli]

Wow!  Thanks for all the excellent suggestions!  I think I will stay away from emachines and check out the other sources mentioned above.  Sounds like finding an XP machine shouldn't be that hard either.

Finding an XP machine pre-configured from Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. will be next to impossible.  Finding one online will not be that bad.

OTOH, if you have or obtain the proper XP version, you can always buy pre-configured and wipe the drive and load XP to the machine.

Also, I forgot to mention - the pre-configured (E-machines, Dell, HP, Gateway) machines always come with tons of useless junk programs added that you need to remove, where the online machines usually don't.

Good advice on returning the HD and getting a replacement - I have done this before as well.