video card questions

[cyb]

I was using an old PC for groovymame but a family member needs a computer so I am giving it to them. I am hoping I can configure my main rig to use groovymame.


1. Can the 7970 be used with crt emudriver and groovymame or is it too "new"?

2. If the 7970 is not an option, could I plug my HD4350 in the second PCI-E slot and have it coexist with the 7970? If possible, I'd like to set up my  pc to dual boot between windows 7 for pc gaming and regular tasks  and windows xp 64bit when I feel like playing groovymame on my PVM.

hope this made sense 

[bulbousbeard]

1. Too new. It won't work.

2. Maybe, but let's be honest with ourselves here. That's a pretty Mickey Mouse setup. You deserve better. Just spend the $600 on another computer dedicated to your PVM. You're worth it.

Here are your options for video cards. The best one is the x300, and it's only like 10 bucks on Ebay.

Catalyst 6.5: ATI Radeon 7000, 7200, 7500, 8500, 9000, 9100,
                         9200, 9250, 9500, 9550, 9600, 9700,
                         9800, X300, X550, X600, X700, X800,
                         X850, X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900,
                         X1950, ArcadeVGA 9200/9250, etc.

Catalyst 9.3: ATI Radeon 9500, 9550, 9600, 9700, 9800, X300,
                         X550, X600, X700, X740, X800, X850,
                         X1050, X1200, X1300, X1550, X1600,
                         X1650, X1800, X1900, X1950, HD 2350,
                         HD 2400, HD 2600, HD 2900, HD 3200,
                         HD 3300, HD 3400, HD 3410, HD 3450,
                         HD 3550, HD 3570, HD 3600, HD 3610,
                         HD 3690, HD 3730, HD 3750, HD 3800,
                         HD 3830, HD 3850, HD 3870, HD 4230,
                         HD 4250, HD 4350, HD 4550, HD 4570,
                         HD 4580, HD 4650, HD 4670, HD 4730,
                         HD 4750, HD 4800, HD 4850, HD 4870,
                         HD 4890, etc.

[cyb]

Yeah you're right, "Mickey Mouse" is the perfect term for the setup I failed to mention this would only be a temporary setup, since I do plan on putting together another mame box in a few months...

[cyb]

also you said the x300 is the best card. If I already have an HD4350 is there any reason to get an x300?

[bulbousbeard]

I think that Calamity pointed out that the x300 is technically the most flexible for GroovyMAME. Calamity can correct me, but I think that the x300 might be capable of more resolutions. You should be fine with the card you have. I'd go with it for now.

[NightSprinter]

And pointed out the 4890 was the most powerful.  I do think what you're doing makes sense at least, as it's becoming a strong consideration for my box as well.

The reason why bulbousbeard stated Calamity's suggestion of the x300 is correct.  Catalyst 6.3 (after the modification) allows for a total of 160 custom modelines, whereas 9.3 modified only allows 120 (not counting the "magic resolution" setup, which I think Calamity could better explain).  Just keep in mind, that the x300 will be great for MAME and emulators not reliant on the video card, but not if you want to run other games like Super Street Fighter IV or Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition or emulation of recent systems.

[Calamity]

2. If the 7970 is not an option, could I plug my HD4350 in the second PCI-E slot and have it coexist with the 7970? If possible, I'd like to set up my  pc to dual boot between windows 7 for pc gaming and regular tasks  and windows xp 64bit when I feel like playing groovymame on my PVM.

This is certainly possible, I know Dr.Venom is using this exact setup, but with W7 only. The advantage of the HD 4xxx cards over the X series is that you can use them natively under W7, while the X series won't work properly. So, once CRT Emudriver for W7 is available, you might use W7 for all tasks, including arcade.

However, after having tested both XP and W7 I still prefer XP for emulation, so the idea of dual boot sounds good to me. As a note, the PC I'm using for testing drivers has a quadruple boot: XP-32, XP-64, W7-32, W7-64.

[cyb]

I think I'll pick up an x300 since it has extra modelines and is dirt cheap on the bay. I only used my previous emulation pc for 2d mame games and 8bit/16bit consoles anyway.

I might go ahead and give this dual boot thing a try.

I'm with you Calamity: I think I would prefer xp64 over W7 for emulation! thanks everyone for your input!