Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: robC on April 26, 2008, 04:26:23 pm
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I am looking at the following options for a budget combo setup for a new bartop. I like the idea of having integrated video for a bartop build. Could you hardware gurus suggest which of the following would be the best buy for a solid MAME box? I assume most video options are fine since MAME does not take advantage of much in the way of graphics acceleration, correct?
Thanks for any input!! The options I am looking at are:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138100R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135082
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135060
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It completely depends on what you want to play. If you just want classics, you can go with just about any old computer. I have a P3/933 and it runs MAME .70 and all the classics perfectly. Even some not-so-classic shooters like Mars Matrix.
The older revisions of MAME make a huge difference in performance.
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of those three definitely not the last one, and probably not the first one, unless you are planning on upgrading it later.
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Yeah, definitely the second one is best, given options alone. Price-wise, it trumps as well as it includes memory. I don't know much about AMD and had to look up those processors. Turns out the higher the number in the name doesn't mean better processor. Confusing.
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as a system builder who deals with cutomers who want the lowest price possible and the most speed and no loyalty or love for any brand, only the brands that keep me from repairing or replaceing at a later date, my opinion based on your use, a simple MAME box.
ECS GOAL3 is (and was at one time the largest) on of the largest MB makers around. I have seen 3 of about 50 ECS boards have problems, one was user error, one was DOA and one lost a memory slot. I wouldnt hesitate to buy more ECS boards for this type of aplication, they are just fine as far as cheap boards go. I'm not a fan of Semprons so this one would be very low on my list. But as some have stated for older games it would work just fine.
Biostar, I wish i could give ya more feedback on this but I have only worked on them, not purchased. So somebody else will have to chime up on these.
ECS745- I actually had this board in a MAME box at one time, no problems at all, i gave it to a freind for a Upgrade (he was still on a athlon 1400) he uses it right now to play games (lineage II addict) and has no complaints at all. While 512 memory is probebly enough, i would go 1 gig and the old ddr400 stuff costs way more then the new stuff right now. The onboard Video is crap, but again, for your use it will be just fine, in fact with a little added memory (recomend 2 gigs) it would play some older games ok if you didnty get out of hand with the res and "gee whiz" options.
One thing to note, for my own personal use i have bought a few "open box" items from Newegg and would say i have a bad taste for there open box stuff. I have bought 2 MB's, neither worked, and 1 video Card (also didnt work), and a 15% restocking fee, or wait till another open box comes in is a NO WAY for me now.. I bought open box items that where big ticket stuff and thouhgt i was getting a deal, $350 video cards fro $50-75 off seemed good, but when you consider it ended up costing me $10 to ship back and $40 restocking fee.. not a good deal. I do know personaly people who have had no problems whatsoever with NewEgg open box stuff.
While its the most expensive one (and has a rebate) I would lean towards the 754 one.
if it was me looking for budget (and yes this would be a bit more $$) i would go:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856101064 $122
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116037 $67
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034 $69 ($40 rebate then $29) and there is plenty of 1gig sticks on newegg for $19 if you prefer.
Yes, its alot more $258 (-40 for rebate) but depending on case and PSU you where getting (or going to use in the original 3 boards, its not that much more).
but ya i think any of the original 3 would be fine, keep in mind memory and heatsink are needed for a couple. its so easy to start inproving when you look at makeing a budget machine.. soon that budget is out the window.
Good luck! let us know what ya do.
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Thanks for the input guys! After some reviewing, I went with the second option listed here. This is going to be a machine mostly for the classics, so I am hoping 1/2G mem will be plenty to roll with. We'll see. But for $70 after rebate (including fan/HS) it seems like a good deal. I am trying to keep the cost to a minimum, as I am building it for a friend who is on a budget and footing the bill. I will post my results and thoughts about the hardware once I get it set up and running.
Thanks again!
Rob
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Dropping brand new PC hardware in a bartop is a bit of madness, instead find a used system in the 600 mhz - 1ghz range that is a slimline FANLESS type system that has everything integrated onto the motherboard. Even better if it can boot from a silent drive. Hard drive and fan noise are bigger deals in bartop systems than they are in other ones, because they are going to be right near the user's ears.
A laptop with broken screen could do the same thing and be had for almost no money, and most are pretty quiet.
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I would have picked the 2nd one too. Good job. You definitely want an Athlon (just in case) and for 60 beans after rebate including RAM, you can't go wrong.
One other word. Sometimes the AMD boards need extra connections that an older ATX power supply does not have.
Once you receive it, see if it will work with the power supply that you have. If not, I picked up a good quality one for $19.99 that is actually installed in my stand up arcade that is running an Athlon 64 X2 4200+. It works so good I plan to buy another power supply for my main comp upgrade.
Here's the model # of the power supply that I bought:
http://www.xoxide.com/casegears-black-steel-580w-psu.html
~ DeLuSioNaL
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Hey Delusional, thanks for the tip about the power supply. I will keep that one in mind if the 2 ones I have lying around don't work out. $20 is spot on. Should be getting the rig in the mail today, and I procured a used 19" LCD monitor and drive to use as well. So it should be underway soon, and I will let you guys know how it works out.
Thanks.
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I just upgraded my mame machine from an old Pentium 4 1.4GHZ beast running RAMBUS memory that I built in 2001, to an AMD Althlon 64X2 5200+. The power supply for the old one worked fine. The power coming from the powersupply had a 20-pin connector, but you can plug it into the 24-pin header on the motherboard just fine. It's not needed in most cases. As long as you don't run multiple hard drives and a big fat video card, you'll be fine with the old power supply in most cases. The last 4 pins are just extra 3.3v, 5v, 12v, and ground to provide more amps for computers that need more power. They're a revision to the ATX standard 20-pin connector and are just omitted when when you plug a 20-pin power supply into it.
There is another connector that has 4 pins that looks like you can shove into the empty pins of the 24-pin header, you definitely do not want to do that. That one's 12v, 12v, ground, ground, and will kill your mobo if you force that into the 24-pin header. It has it's own header elsewhere on the motherboard. They do sell power supplies with 24-pin power connectors that break apart into a 20-pin, and a 4-pin connector, but remember that those pins are 3.3,5,12&ground and different from the 4-pin connector that plugs into the motherboard directly.
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Do what I am doing.
Place a Softmodded Xbox inside and shed some expensive PC mobo issues.
Buy an used TV from the thrift store.
And Presto! Cheapo el Gameo Systemo. (My Spanish is rusty)
Yes there is some tinkering to do, but it works great.
MAME, Daphne and all the console emulators are supported.
Xbox Media Player for a Juke.
No Virtual Pinball though... :'(
I did it for $70 All in.
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Yes, that's what I plan to do with my bartop (whenever I get around to building it). The XBox footprint is nice and small and it's super cheap to mod. I bought a used one for $25 and I already soft modded it. It's ready to go with MAME loaded on it and XBMC.
~ DeLuSioNaL
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Thanks for the input guys! After some reviewing, I went with the second option listed here. This is going to be a machine mostly for the classics, so I am hoping 1/2G mem will be plenty to roll with. ....
2gigs of ram for the classics? :o What are you considering classic? King of fighters?
I got Pac-Man, Galaxian, DK, Frogger ect. ect. to run on a 70Mhz machine with 16mb of ram perfectly. Paige is right. Get a broken laptop. Noise should be one of your top priorities on a classic bartop machine.
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Thanks for the input guys! After some reviewing, I went with the second option listed here. This is going to be a machine mostly for the classics, so I am hoping 1/2G mem will be plenty to roll with. ....
2gigs of ram for the classics? :o What are you considering classic? King of fighters?
I got Pac-Man, Galaxian, DK, Frogger ect. ect. to run on a 70Mhz machine with 16mb of ram perfectly. Paige is right. Get a broken laptop. Noise should be one of your top priorities on a classic bartop machine.
Yep get a 365X passive cooled laptop off ebay for $20. They boot off CF cards, and easy to take apart.
I use Thinkpads for all my mini projects. DSTN, 8mb and builting sound too.
The displays are good enough for a bartop, and plenty of power for your classics.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=66037.0 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=66037.0)
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ark_ader how about some update pics of your pacman bartop.
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Sorry itz in zee bin.
I moved to the USA and decided to kill it.
I set fire to it and danced around for a while. :laugh2:
I am currently doing something similar, like a submini Dragon's Lair and a Xbox Stargate.
I have moved on since the Submini Pac and learnt a few more lessons. ;D
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You DIDN'T !! :o
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I set fire to it and danced around for a while.
Was the dancing really necessary?
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I set fire to it and danced around for a while.
Was the dancing really necessary?
Yep like wild Indians (American ones). :laugh2: