Am I crazy?

[Ridgefire]

I got my Mame upright all done and is running great. But I miss the build.  Now that its done I just don't know what to do. Granted there are still a few minor programing tweaks I am making. But the assembly is done, all the buttons are in, the trackball is in, joysticks are done. There just isn't anything left to build. So what I am considering is building a new computer to run it all. I used an old desktop I had laying round. But what I'm considering is ordering a motherboard and all the goodies and build from scratch. After all that is what I enjoyed about doing the cabinet.

But here is the dilemma:

1: I have never built a computer. I've read tons of info and I know I could do it...I think
2: I'm not up to speed on what is better..ie Intel or AMD
3: Some of the jargon...Dual core quad core stuff like that. But that really isn't too big of a concern. I am a fast learner and I've been reading like crazy

So because I will be building this for my cab, case or no case?

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

Case vs no-case can depend a lot on the actual interior of your cab, if you have the space for it.

A case makes it easy to pull the whole machine out for maintenance, also there are less challenges trying to make sure everything is mounted securely.

[Ridgefire]

Lots of room in the back of the cab. I was kind of looking at doing a uncased just for the added work of coming up with a mounting system   Yeah I know





Oh yeah ignore the dusty cab and the sloppy wires hanging. It has since been fixed

[Ridgefire]

Don't worry, you're in good company around here.  Plenty of people that never actually play anything.  Even more that don't have any games or plan on owning any, too.

So I'm not crazy for wanting to tear it all apart and build a new one. Fix some of the errors of past builds

[shmokes]

I could built my cab much much better if I did it again. I learned so much the first time, not just about arcade cabinets, but about woodworking in general. The first one took/has taken so long, though, that starting over would cause a lot of marital instability in my house.   

[Howard_Casto]

I would say go with a case.  It protects the innards from dust a little better and dust is the #4 killer of components just below power surges, small children and idiot users. 


1.  It's easy... just make sure you get compatable ram, processors and mb's that all work together.
2.  Intel is better for emulation... it isn't even a debate anymore.
3.  All you need to know is the more "cores" the better.  More cores mean that more things can be done at the same time without special programming.  This is a good thing and speeds everything up.

[Ginsu Victim]

The build is the best part. Playing games is just a side-benefit.

[SNAAKE]

you dont NEED intel for emulation. a quad core AMD Phenom II should be more than enough. get a decent video card too.

[Ridgefire]

For my first ever computer build, I want to keep it pretty simple and on the lower end of cost....just incase I screw up. Now if all goes well. I would like to build my dream computer someday. But for a first attempt I think a computer able to run mame would be a good start

[wp34]

I got my Mame upright all done and is running great. But I miss the build.  Now that its done I just don't know what to do.

I've not finished my build yet so I can't comment on that.   But I went through something very similar after our basement was finished.  It was a long 6 months many times working until 11pm after a full day of work.  I couldn't wait to get done but went through some serious withdrawal after the carpet went down. 

[Ridgefire]

While I'm on the topic of new computers.

Looking for a recomendation for ethernet switch. Now that I have the arcade and few new toys for Christmas. My DSL router only has 4 ports. So as of right now I have to unplug and plug in.

Looking for a 8 port switch. While I'm at it I'm going to run Cat5 cable to some rooms that are not serviced right now...IE the teenager's room. Also I would like to get the router and switch to a centralized area. Just to clean up the area by the desk. Right now everything is wired mess. I have an unfinished basement so looking to move that mess down there and add wall plates by each location.

[leapinlew]

Get a cheap gigabit switch for home use. Don't bother with a smart switch or any fancy features. Also, if you are running the cable, put 2 or more runs in at each location. It could come in handy if there is a problem later, or you want to drop in something else later (like a intercom, land lines, etc.). While you are at it, maybe consider some speaker wire rated for in-wall use.

[leapinlew]

I got my Mame upright all done and is running great. But I miss the build.  Now that its done I just don't know what to do.

PBJ is right. You are in good company. I've built quite a few machines and since I can no longer sell them, I don't build them anymore and I'm itching for a project. My advice is to leave the arcade cabinet. You'll make mistakes on your next one too. It's a vicious cycle. Perhaps build something else for the house. Shelves, entertainment center, coffee table, closet organizer, etc. 

[Rando]

For my first ever computer build, I want to keep it pretty simple and on the lower end of cost....just incase I screw up. Now if all goes well. I would like to build my dream computer someday. But for a first attempt I think a computer able to run mame would be a good start

I've built a few PC's over the years, both for personal use and for friends/family.  I THINK having your first build be one involving a traditional case would be helpful as it will be clear where things go, there are compartments for the different drives, the power source, the fans are build in, etc.  I'm imagine trying to put everything together for the first time spread out in a cabinet would be harder, but I'm not sure If I'm biased that a case would be easier because that's how I've done it...

In support of my argument though, you can build the PC in the case, get everything setup and working software wise, and THEN insert it into a cab.  If you go the no-case route, you'll be setting up your PC for the first time in a big wooden box, you'll have to worry about how to attach and ground things... Just seems easier to me to do traditional case build.

Luck!

[drventure]

The build is the best part. Playing games is just a side-benefit.

Couldn't have said it better myself!

[jennifer]

   
         If you got some crazy, Jennifer knows a good doctor.....Giggle.

[ark_ader]

Anyone else ever consider smashing a few up just so you'll have some empty space and excuse to build another one?

 

Not only smash it up but set it alight and dance around it like wild indians?

Been there done that.

[fallacy]

I don’t think most of us enjoy actually playing the games. We have memories as a kid of these machines being awesome and something you could never own. Now we can own it or have the fun putting one together our self.

I don’t know what the right answer is, in the end you will have these arcade machines just sitting there taking up space not being used.

[Rando]

I don’t think most of us enjoy actually playing the games. We have memories as a kid of these machines being awesome and something you could never own. Now we can own it or have the fun putting one together our self.

I don’t know what the right answer is, in the end you will have these arcade machines just sitting there taking up space not being used.

Dang,
I love playing the games!  I thought I spent some good amount of time in arcades when I was a kid, but I've only seen a small fraction of what is now available to me through MAME.  Building the Cab was/is interesting, but for me it's a means to an end, which is why the cab remains unfinished while I spend time adding games and tweaking the game list based on what I find and like to play.

Maybe it's cause my time is limited, and I get short bursts where I can build or game, so for now I'm choosing to game, while making notes to imrpove the cab.  But I like playing!

[fallacy]

which is why the cab remains unfinished while I spend time adding games and tweaking the game list based on what I find and like to play.

Right that’s all a part of building the cab. You play games to build up your collection, to see if they work and run smoothly; not because you find the game itself interesting or engaging like you did as a kid.

[CheffoJeffo]

which is why the cab remains unfinished while I spend time adding games and tweaking the game list based on what I find and like to play.

Right that’s all a part of building the cab. You play games to build up your collection, to see if they work and run smoothly; not because you find the game itself interesting or engaging like you did as a kid.

Or, maybe you play games because you like playing games ... 

[opt2not]

I ask myself the same question, but not for wanting to build more, but for wanting to own more real hardware.
I have two Mame machines, can play any game I want, yet I spend my time and money searching for PCBs or dedicated cabinets to add to my collection.

Am I crazy too?? 

[fallacy]

Or, maybe you play games because you like playing games ...  Roll Eyes

Maybe you like playing these games still because you smoke too much Pot 

[CheffoJeffo]

Or, maybe you play games because you like playing games ...  Roll Eyes

Maybe you like playing these games still because you smoke too much Pot 

Yeah, because the reason why we are all here is that we actually prefer woodworking to gaming ... builds are great, restores are better, but the games are the only reason to do either. Just because you use cab building as a substititute for masturbation doesn't mean the rest of us actually don't like games. 

Wait, there is such a thing as too much pot ? 

[wizkid32]

AMD vs. Intel-

Both are about the same quality.

Intel has slightly better compatibility, but nothing you can't work around if you try.

AMD is cheaper.  A lot cheaper.

The sum of my reasearch lies before you. 

I'm using AMD and have had no problems so far.

[Thenasty]

if you want to REAL CRAZY, build a PC witht the fastesst CPU, like this one for example

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0376492


 

[Howard_Casto]

AMD vs. Intel-

Both are about the same quality.

Intel has slightly better compatibility, but nothing you can't work around if you try.

AMD is cheaper.  A lot cheaper.

The sum of my reasearch lies before you. 

I'm using AMD and have had no problems so far.

If this were 2001 I would completey agree with you.  This is no longer the case.

Intel has drastically better compatability as it pertains to mame in particular.  The mame devs reccomend intel processors if you are trying to run any of the high-end games.  Benchmarks show that you'll get a 10-35% preformance boost because any and all 64bit/multi core optimizations in mame's compile don't even apply to a similar speed AMD.  It isn't a matter of one brand being better than the other, but rather the devs use intel, so you should as well. 

AMD isn't drastically cheaper anymore.  They used to be, but this just isn't as true as it was back in the day.  The thing you need to understand though is a 2.4 ghz quad AMD is NOT the same speed as a 2.4ghz quad intel.  You need a 2.6-2.8 ghz amd to have comparable specs.  If you understand that and start pricing the price difference is very slight. 

Let's put it this way... I've alwyas been a hardcore amd fan.  I've always bought amd processors for my pcs and mame cabs.  Last year when I upgraded my desktop I finally realized that the intel processor was going to cost about the same... so I took the plunge.  One year later and I don't think I would put a amd processor in a cab unless it was a used pc and the cab wasn't going to run high-end games.

Btw I don't necessarily disagree with your assessment if you don't really care about the horsepower of the machine and just want a basic mame setup that plays the games of the 80's and 90's.  I just meant if we are talking high-end here.   


Just for the record on the other debate... I love to play games... BUT I've had a mame cab for over 14 years.  (Damn I'm getting too old for this -----)  As huge as that library looks, at some point you DO play it all.... or at least all you would be interested in.  I've got to really dig to find something that I enjoy that I haven't played to death at this point. 

I love tinkering with the cab though, especially the software.  But then again I have that near fatal disability of being a programmer. 

[wizkid32]

AMD vs. Intel-

Both are about the same quality.

Intel has slightly better compatibility, but nothing you can't work around if you try.

AMD is cheaper.  A lot cheaper.

The sum of my reasearch lies before you. 

I'm using AMD and have had no problems so far.

If this were 2001 I would completey agree with you.  This is no longer the case.

Intel has drastically better compatability as it pertains to mame in particular.  The mame devs reccomend intel processors if you are trying to run any of the high-end games.  Benchmarks show that you'll get a 10-35% preformance boost because any and all 64bit/multi core optimizations in mame's compile don't even apply to a similar speed AMD.  It isn't a matter of one brand being better than the other, but rather the devs use intel, so you should as well. 

AMD isn't drastically cheaper anymore.  They used to be, but this just isn't as true as it was back in the day.  The thing you need to understand though is a 2.4 ghz quad AMD is NOT the same speed as a 2.4ghz quad intel.  You need a 2.6-2.8 ghz amd to have comparable specs.  If you understand that and start pricing the price difference is very slight. 

Let's put it this way... I've alwyas been a hardcore amd fan.  I've always bought amd processors for my pcs and mame cabs.  Last year when I upgraded my desktop I finally realized that the intel processor was going to cost about the same... so I took the plunge.  One year later and I don't think I would put a amd processor in a cab unless it was a used pc and the cab wasn't going to run high-end games.

Btw I don't necessarily disagree with your assessment if you don't really care about the horsepower of the machine and just want a basic mame setup that plays the games of the 80's and 90's.  I just meant if we are talking high-end here.   


Just for the record on the other debate... I love to play games... BUT I've had a mame cab for over 14 years.  (Damn I'm getting too old for this -----)  As huge as that library looks, at some point you DO play it all.... or at least all you would be interested in.  I've got to really dig to find something that I enjoy that I haven't played to death at this point. 

I love tinkering with the cab though, especially the software.  But then again I have that near fatal disability of being a programmer. 

I guess my research was a little old.

My PC is used and I don't plan on using it for to high end games.  For my purposes, the AMD in my PC is a step up from the Pentium 3 I was planning on using.

[Ridgefire]

Ok back to my switch question.

Do I really need a Gig for a switch?
As far as the wires yes they will be the cat5e.

Right now all my gear is 10/100. No real plans to upgrade anytime in near future.

So is there any real advantage to buying a 1 gig switch when none of the equipment hooked to is 1gig. Yes I realize there is the future upgrade. But by the time I upgrade the prices for the faster switch maybe already down.

[drventure]

Do I really need a Gig for a switch?

Not really. If you had 1gb cards in both (or all) machines, you'd notice a file transfer speedup, but for web surfing, etc, you'd be throttled by your ISP speed anyway which is way less that 1gb.

That said, gigabit switches aren't that much more expensive than 10/100. I just checked newegg. There's a ton of Wireless N gigabit switches for <100$

Of course, you can get 10//100 wired switches on Craigslist for almost free.

[Malenko]

\I've built quite a few machines and since I can no longer sell them.

I'd still buy that Galaga or MsPac themed one just like it

[leapinlew]

\I've built quite a few machines and since I can no longer sell them.

I'd still buy that Galaga or MsPac themed one just like it

Damnit! I wish I knew that before I threw it out...

[Malenko]

Damnit! I wish I knew that before I threw it out...

LIAR!

[Gray_Area]

   
         If you got some crazy, Jennifer knows a good doctor.....Giggle.

Ever since someone hypothesized that Jennifer is really PBJ in drag, I can't get the image out of my mind.

[jennifer]

          WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!//////////////////////............................ Excuse me?

[jennifer]

           And Pinball Jennifer..... You are NOT helping!

[DillonFoulds]

Might have been me, sorry! It really does seem that way at times though... So yeah. let's go ahead and assume that's the situation.

[jennifer]

         Let"s not..... And yes, you all have gone crazy!

[Le Chuck]

...use cab building as a substitute for masturbation...

Wait... wut?  You can do that?!  What the hell have I been doing?