Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Hawk Daddy on March 31, 2007, 11:52:07 pm
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Would this computer run MAME correctly?
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2984884&Sku=I69-2146%20D
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2988049&CatId=333
Or maybe even this Processor and mother board?
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2665472&CatId=1599
Also all that I would need to hook it up to to an arcade monitor is just a Jpac?
I guess maybe I just need to know the minimum specs that can run MAME, at full speed. I know alot of the newer games won't run full speed, but like all the Pre 1992 games. Basically Pacman's and Galaga's and Donkey Kongs, and Mortal Kombat 1 and 2.
Hawk
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those can run probably run MAME ok, but you might need a graphics card if you don't already have one; those onboard graphics chipsets have limited support of custom resolutions which you will probably need for your arcade monitor. I think the JPAC by itself only protects the monitor and shows half or a quarter of the bootscreen, and you need additional/different hardware to run software on a standard arcade monitor.
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What kind of video card would you suggest? Can I get any of the cheap ones, cause I really want to get out of this whole thing as cheap as possible, not worried about the windows, I've got that covered, and a HHD is pretty cheap also, I can get about a 80gig and it will be fine.
Would this card be alright for what mame needs?
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2844041&CatId=1558
Hawk
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What kind of video card would you suggest?
If you want to hook up to a real arcade monitor then you only have one real easy option. The JPac alone will not do what you need.
You need an Arcade VGA Card...... "Ultimarc" the same supplier as the JPac... if you get this card, you'll no longer need the JPac and can hook up your buttons and sticks to the PC using a cheaper control interface. IPac or the Keywiz from Groovy Game Gear.
Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)
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http://charlotte.craigslist.org/for/303333446.html
Thats a really cheap computer solution, could that PC work, and I could just get a $40 17 inch monitor that they have on there, and be done with it, I could then hack a keyboard and use it as my ipac instead.
Hawk
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Would those specs run Mortal Kombat, 1 and 2 cause my 500 mhz pc won't run it.
Hawk
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maybe mk1 but not 2 or 3. Search for the minimum specs; they are somewhere between 1.8GHz-2.4GHz Pentium IV class; maybe lower for Athlon XP/64 , Core Duo, and Core2
A keyboard hack for a one-player setup or only a few inputs is one thing, but for a 2 player 5-6 button layout you may run into technical difficulties like key blocking. In the latter case, pre-built specialty encoders are well worth the time and trouble saved.
btw, these onboard graphics chipsets are usually ok for custom arcade resolutions:
Xpress 200
Geforce 6100
You could probably drive your existing monitor with a Micro-ATX motherboard with either chipset.
Here is one for $50 (http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4766999)
You could pair it with one of those Celerons from your OP
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If all you want to play are classics you can get by with a really low powered machine. I run most of the stuff I want on a athlon 800 and get ok results. (it's what I have).