Looking to Pickup a Cheap CPU for MAME - Which one to go with??

[savj14]

My current machine is more than enough for MAME, but I don't want to dedicate my machine. So I am looking around for a cheap machine for my Cabinet.

Here is my current setup:

I have a used 19" Arcade Monitor. I hacked a VGA Cable so I can plug it directly to my computer. I am using Powerstrip right now so I can run Windows on the Arcade Monitor and to Fire up MAMEWAH as my Frontend.

Games I Typically Play:
Street Fighter 2 Series
Mortal Kombat Series
NBA Jam Series
Anything other than that is going to be older games

Computers I am currently looking at to buy:

Dell SX280 - $145
Important Specs:
* Intel P4 2.8GHz Processor
* 1GB Ram
* 80GB SATA Hard Drive
* Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 128MB

Dell GX270 SFF Desktop - $150
Important Specs:
* Intel Celeron 2.4Ghz Processor
* 512mb RAM
* 40GB Har Drive
* Integrated Graphics Card/Upgradable to AGP Half Size

Now both look like decent options, but I am concerned with the Integrated Graphics cards on both machines.......Will I be able to Use my Arcade Monitor and use either Powerstip of Soft-15Khz???

I assume both are more than enough to run MAME un Windows to play the game I listed??

Any thoughts/suggestions?

[EwJ]

I havn't enough experience to comment on integrated graphics and arcade monitors/powerstrip/15Khz.  However, if either of those motherboards have an empty agp/pci/pci-e slot, you could always add a graphics card and disable the integrated graphics in the bios.

[savj14]

Yeah looks like the Dell GX270 can add a Half Size AGP, but the Dell SX280 doesn't look like it has Slots to add anything. Not sure why they did this.

Are these a good deal on the computers??

My instict says I need to jump one of these.......but which one is the question??

[BobA]

Go with the SX 280

Faster CPU
Double the memory
Double the Disk Drive size

[savj14]

If I knew the Arcade monitor would work with the PCs I would buy it........I don't see why it wouldn't work but figured I would run it by everyone here.

[BobA]

Depends on the support powerstrip has for the Intel integrated graphics

[ArtMAME]

If you want to run with an arcade monitor, you will have to use an add-on Graphics card like an ATI Radeon 7000 or better or an ArcadeVGA from Ultimarc (which is a modded Radeon).

Also, you will need a slot to put it in.  If you say the SX-280 has no slot for a graphics card then that will not work.  If the other one has a half-height slot you can use it, but it is  difficult to find a half-height graphics card that will be suitable for your application.  It is not impossible, but it may be a hassle.

I have used similar PCs for MAME cabs using a normal PC monitor and they work great.  But if you really want to do an arcade monitor, get a PC mid or full-tower with an AGP or PCI-e slot.  They are easy to find used for about the same price.  Look on Ebay and see if you can find a PC refurb warehouse.  They will have tons of off-lease PCs for good price.