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building an NES PC...only for NES emulation
hulkster:
i did a search for NES PC on here, but didnt turn up any results relating to what i want to do....however i'm sure someone has already asked this question before. i actually may have myself a few years ago, but ive forgotten ;D so here goes...
there are tons of people out there doing NES PC's...i googled....but most of those people want to use the NES PC for all kinds of extra crap. i JUST want it to run NES emulation/roms. so no complex video, or nintendo 64 cpu power requirements or anything like that, just simple nes emu. with that in mind, i want to build this with as little cost as i can. i already have most of the hardware, cept for the mini-itx board ill need to put in the NES.
so first of all, i have a few questions. i went to newegg and found this board http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813185103 . its $25 after mail in rebate, and its got the cpu already built into the board (800mhz). i went to this site http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-Nintendo-NES-PC/ and looked at everything this guy did...however he has a whole lot of other emu's that he's putting on there, so im hoping i can save some $$ by building a very low horsepower pc. here's what ive got so far without having to spend money:
1. NES w/ 2 controllers (hoping to use those...whether i mod or buy usb converted NES pads, i want to use the NES controllers)
2. laptop hard drive
3. laptop CD Rom drive
4. extra case fans if necessary
what i think ill need:
1. mini-itx mobo with cpu - $30
2. IDE converter to plug drive into mobo - $10-15
3. RAM - i need DDR 266 but i think the old laptop i have should have that, but if not - $20 or less
4. external power brick - $??
so here are my questions:
1. im assuming my 800mhz cpu/mobo is plenty for nes emulation right?
2. OS - can i just use dos or will i run into driver issues with the controllers and such?
3. i can probably find a tutorial on how to convert existing NES pads to usb, but ive never soldered anything in my life soooo....yeah....should i just buy some converted NES usb pads??
4. any other suggestions before i embark on this venture??
any help would be greatly appreciated. :cheers:
ChadTower:
DOS is touchy at best with USB drivers. Best to use Linux if you want USB.
Why a CD drive? If you're going to use USB you can save a lot of space by using a cheap USB thumb drive instead of bulky optical drive. You can save even more space if you decide to boot from one or use a compact flash-IDE adapter. Doesn't cost much to do either and for something as simple as an NES emulator you could easily back the flash drive up for when it eventually wears out. Make another copy, pop it in, and you're good.
Ginsu Victim:
800mhz is plenty for NES (SNES and Genesis, as well)
Linux or Windows. DOS is not recommended for USB devices.
There's tutorials online for converting pads. Also there are adapters
http://www.retrousb.com/index.php
I agree with Chad about the CF to IDE adapter. Forget a CD drive.
hulkster:
thanks for the tips Chad.
ive never used or installed linux so i was kind of shying away from that....but im always open to trying 8)
CD drive because...um....well yeah. i dont know why, i guess because i saw all the other tutorials talking about it.
about the hard drive...are you talking about booting to a usb flash drive? i need the hard drive space for roms, screenshots, etc, and i dont have any flash drives big enough to hold all of that. i know that space is somewhat of an issue, but if i can knock out the cd rom drive, then that gives me extra room.
and explain more about the compact flash-ide adapter...you lost me there. :dunno
Ginsu Victim:
Pick up a compact flash and one of these
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.10310
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