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How much of a difference does a better graphics card make?

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Gehrig:

If you are going to drop XP, I would say use Win 2000.  Support for 98SE as been dropped a long time ago by companies.

Also, I would personally upgrade RAM before the Processor.   I would expect to see a bigger difference in MAME perfomance with more memory rather than a fast proc.  But, whatever you get for free is worth a try.


Can you give an example of a game that you think needs improvement?

u_rebelscum:


--- Quote from: Jop on December 07, 2007, 09:59:35 am ---geForce 2mx
MAME32 0.106

--- End quote ---

I agree with Fozzy, mostly, but to clear a few things:

Your graphic card is okay with this version of mame, and any speed increase will be pretty small.  But not because the games you play are 2d; a new card would help the same (ie: very little) for 3d games with that version of mame or earlier.

Later versions (0.107+) of mame probably would see a bigger speed increase by changing those cards, due to the video system overhaul that happened between 0.106 & 0.107, but since you're not using 'em, ehh.

OTOH, the 4400 is better tuned for more current versions of mame, and if you ever get a freebie with better CPU & memory... you could transfer the 4400 over (if it could fit the newer board) and upgrade mame, while the 2mx won't like the newer mames.
 :dunno

MaximRecoil:

You'll get the biggest improvement in speed by running a version of MAME that came out when your processor was current, which would have been 2001 or so. A version of MAME between say, .55 and .62 or so would be about the right time frame.

Jop:

Cheers for all the advice! :)

I've taken the 4400 as in the end it was free anyway, but am on the lookout for more memory as we speak.

I've seen that a few people use XP lite setups so I might give this a go. I'm getting a new harddrive for the system as the current one is very noisy and a little on the small size (40gb), so I think I'll put it on then as my cabinet is due to be finished tonight (just the controls to be wired up) and I don't think my wife will put up with another delay  ;)

Malenko:

I would have taken it too, free is free.

now hit up ebay for some RAM, you can get a lot of old ram for very little cost, just get 4 sticks from the same guy to save on shipping. same thing with processors. I just got an AMD64 X2 3800 for $30 shipped to replace my single core 3500.  socket 939s are hard to find.

I just went through my piles of old parts and cant find any memory sticks, what exactly do you need? I have friends that stockpile junk like me, maybe I can find something for ya

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