Need new computer... is it worth it?

[Lilwolf]

Ok, my arcade machine hardware is having problems with the input (it starts caching keyboard input ever so often for a few seconds... really weird... I tried reinstalling OS and everything, swapped keyboard encoder and everything... really weird)...  So I figured it was hardware, so buying a new computer.

So, is it worth going for a few hundred for motherboard / processor to get a 3ghz or so intel dual core?  or just go with a slower (e8200) or somehting I can get for like 50 bucks.  I will be running XP on it (probably) because of cost so not sure if I will get any additional games to run on them.

So, what games can the latest processors run, that the 2.6ghz dual cores cant?  Any that make it worth the 200+ extra?

thanks in advance

[mlalena]

I'm now using a Intel Core 2 Duo (E8400 overclocked to 4GHz). Even with this setup, a game like Gauntlet Legends runs at 80% frame rate until you switch from a 32bit to a 64bit OS. If you want to run something like Street Fighter 4 for PC, you will be spending at least $100 on a good DirectX 10 card.

This thread has some good numbers on the performance of different games at 4GHz: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=72776.0

FYI: Since I already had the hard drive, DVD drive, & crap video card, the whole computer only cost $400 after rebates from newegg.com - just make sure to look at the combo deals.

Here's what I'm using...
RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP ATX Mid Tower Computer Case With 500W Power Supply
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 65W Dual-Core Processor
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Memory

[Beretta]

ya a lot of the CHD games run like crap.

if & when mame makes better use of multi cores there will be a huge performance boost, currently it can just barely make use for mutli core processors.. and not every well either.

like mlalena said if you wanna play everything or almost everything 100% you need to get a duel core and OC it to about 4ghz, no stock cpu out there can do it.. except maybe the new i7's anyone tried those?

i bet they'ed still need some OC.

[Xiaou2]

 Are you sure its your PC ...?   Or just the software ?

 Does it happen only in Mame?   Or a certain Version of Mame?

 Its possible that there is a mame bug that could cause this to happen.

 If it was an Onboard USB issue... you could try a cheap plug-in PCI USB
Controller card first.

 It could also be some piece of software you installed run (from backup/cd, USB Drive..etc.)
Possibly infected with a trogen/virus.

 It could be something like Sonys music cd Root-Kits... which are hidden on of your
music cds.

 There are a zillion things it could be, besides a hardware issue.

[Lilwolf]

Yeah, I first thought it was the encoder... swapped it... wasn't it...  Also confirmed with a keyboard...  (ps2, not usb btw).

Then I thought it must be software... I upgraded all the drivers... nada... Then I reinstalled XP and tried the default drivers... nada, upgraded, nada...

Then I upgraded mame version...

I didn't run any other applications (I guess there is the wireless network adapter... but thats new since the problem started)

But the machine itself is pretty old.  And looking for an excuse to upgrade anyway.

btw, to everyone else.  The question was mainly... what applications ARE playable that aren't on a 2.6 ghz. 
Many? 
Any worth it? 
because price differnence between 2.6ghz and 3ghz is huge.  And I mainly play the classics.

[bkenobi]

If the system is using the page file, things could slow down significantly.  There are various reasons the PC would use the page file, but it could be related to bad ram.  Have you thought about getting more/new memory?  If you are contemplating a new build anyway, new ram could fit into that plan (if both systems use the same type that is).

[Lilwolf]

Ok quick Overview.  System doesnt slow at all.  Just the keyboard input goes to a standstill...   Then i can rotate the joystick a few times, sit back , and watch over the next 30 seconds or so the ship go in big round circles...  But noware near 100%cpu cycles on either core.

But again.  New version of xp with and without updated drivers showing the same thing

and

got wifes approval to upgrade the system

[ivwshane]

I upgraded to a new intel i7 920 cpu and corresponding mobo and memory as well as a 64 bit OS.

Almost every game is now playable, albeit not at 100%.

If you can afford it I say go for it! Get the fastest thing out there if you can.

[torez]

There are some updated cpus coming out this fall.  Maybe you can wait a bit?  Even if you don't get these new cpus, other ones will be cheaper.  I really like Windows 7.  Definitely get that for your new rig.  You can dual-boot, if you have to (install XP first).  I made a dual-boot setup, but never use XP on that machine:).