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Quick CPU Question
MaxAsh:
Wanted to move my PC-based MAME setup to a cabinet. I have had everything setup for a while now (.149 MAME) on an old single-core Athlon 64 3400+ system. Plenty of power to run all the normal stuff, classics, etc. A guy I know offered to sell me an old Compaq with an AMD Athlon X2 4450e Dual-Core Processor. The single core runs around 2.2Ghz, the dual cores 2.3Ghz. I've read a lot of discussion about processor power, overclocking vs. not, etc when it comes to MAME. Would there be any noticeable improvement switching these out, or would it not be worth bothering with those two CPUs in mind? Thanks!
BadMouth:
As far as dual core is concerned, if you have games that are borderline it can help.
The extra headroom for background processes can be enough to get rid of some sound skips if those are your only problem with a game.
Some drivers in the newer versions of MAME are actually utilizing multiple cores now.
Where these two particular processors are concerned, the newer AM2 socket X2 outperforms the older Socket 939 Athlon 64 by a noticeable margin.
I'm basing that on having an old PC that was a dual core Athlon 64 and then using an X2 of the same speed in my first dedicated emulation build.
Still it's an older PC and I wouldn't spend much for it.
EDIT: I have a 3.2Ghz X2 kicking around somewhere if you're interested. (processor only)
MaxAsh:
He wanted $40 for the old PC with the Athlon X2 4450e Dual-Core. It also has 3GB RAM, 250GB HDD (vs. my 1GB / 160GB in my current MAME box). If it was a substantial jump, worth the $40, but it doesn't sound like a huge bump. I might be better served just keeping an eye out for something with a little more power for not much more cash. I'm still mid-build, so I can always upgrade the PC part later once I finish the rest of the setup I guess. Thanks BadMouth!
blitzd:
I'm a bit of a noob here but I've been using MAME and other emulators for years. While I'd easily say that yeah, Dual core is substantially better than a single core CPU (and it is). It really all depends on what games you are playing and what OS you are running. Vista and Windows 7 use more space on your hard drive as well as RAM, so if you are using a frontend like Hyperspin you'd be better off using XP. The PC in the cab that I am building is an AMD X2 250 3.0GHz. it is fast enough to play pretty much anything up till PS2 games without slowdown. Right now I'm playing Soul calibur and Marvel vs Capcom 2 on it. FFX was a bit of a pain and it could play some gamecube and Wii games with noticeable slowdown.
Your comp is pretty outdated and that comp of his is as well. It's a socket AM2 processor so RAM for it would be kinda hard to find. I'd advise checking craigslist for free pc's then checking the model to see if the computer uses a a Socket AM3/AM3+ motherboard. And once you have a bit of disposable income you can toss one of these in your machine to really give it a boost, as I am doing pretty soon.
http://www.microcenter.com/product/428114/FX_4130_Black_Edition_38-39_GHZ_Quad-Core_Tray_CPU
Only 40 bucks!
MaxAsh:
Yea, I'd love to pickup a Mobo/CPU/RAM cheap and just swap them out. I've got everything else (case, PSU, drives, extra HDDs, etc). Keeping my eye out for anything 3.0Ghz or higher with dual, tri, or quad core. If I can stay under $50 via craigslist or somewhere else, I'd be happy with the cost.
On a sidenote, I found a local place selling 4:3 LCD monitors super cheap. I bought a 21" 4:3 for $25, perfect for my MAME build until I find a ridiculously cheap larger one (or decide to spend the money to go ArcadeVGA old school).
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