ATI x600 or ATI HD4550?

[lettuce]

Would there be any reason to get a HD4000 series card over a x600 if just using Groovymame? (as mame is more CPU dependent). Am i right in think older based cards are better suited as they have a lower dotclock?

I know the Cave SH3 based games struggle on lesser system is this still tied to the CPU or do these SH3 games use the GPU?

[wesbrown18]

Everything in MESS and MAME is CPU-bound, including games that had a GPU on the PCB -- it's all emulated in software.

The only thing that the GPU is used for is as a canvas to paint on, and for effects such as HLSL.

[mamenewb100]

The 4550 I have hasn't had any problem with low resolutions. But then again I have a 31K monitor, so I probably have higher dotclocks even at the same res. But Calamity claims their shouldn't be an issue and I guess there is some issues with J-pacs. Other than that I think a fanless 43/4550 is nice to have if you ever use your cab for watching/editing graphics intensive video or using Dreamcast/Naomi type emulators that will use the extra power.

I've heard some say that that the 4000HD cards will wear out faster due to heat, but you can always underclock your card if that's a concern. I just run default clock settings and it's fine. If you know for 100% sure that you will never use your cab for anything but MAME then sure the x600 is probably the way to go.

[lettuce]

Well im looking at building a bartop which will have an LCD in so will defo be using HLSL settings for scanlines emulation etc. Whats the specs needed for a GPU to run HLSL settings?

So i need a card that has a VGA output, is able to handle HLSL and added bonus if it was fanless