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Will this work for my first MAME machine???

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Nickjs311:
Hey guys! I recently got really heavy into playing older games through emulation.  Ive decided to build a MAME arcade machine and Ive done alot of research but I wanted to ask the pros before I started spending money.  Im going to buy everything individually and build it over time.  For the first thing I decided it would be best to pick up a pc tower to run the front end, MAME, and all the emulators.  Im a little concerned about the pc Im looking at not having enough processing power.  As I said earlier Im new to emulation so I dont know how cheap I can go.  This is what Im looking at:


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/dell-inspiron-desktop-intel-celeron-4gb-memory-500gb-hard-drive/5858051.p?id=1219165148215&skuId=5858051&st=categoryid$pcmcat212600050008&cp=1&lp=2

Im wanting to run MAME, and emulators for NES, SNES, N64, Genesis, Game Boy, Game Gear, GBA, Nintendo DS,and possibly PS1.  Im pretty sure the memory will be plenty (as long as I go easy on the PS1 roms).

Sorry if this seems like a dumb question.  I just dont want to hit a major roeadblock before I even get started.  Thanks for any help guys! ;D

blitzd:
That machine right there is capable of playing every console at full speed up until PS2/gamecube.

So if you are sticking with the classics as far as MAME gaming goes, that computer is more than enough.

But at the same time, it's 250 bucks, and 250 bucks for a computer to just do 8-32 bit emulation is overkill. I'd suggest either Craigslist or family/friends who may have an older pc laying around. I would never pay more than 70 bucks for a computer that is doing strictly console and older arcade game emulation.

Also windows 7 & 8 might look great but if you only want the computer to put in a cab I'd look for one with windows XP. windows 7 & 8 are RAM hogs and that computer you linked to would perform much faster with windows xp than with windows 7 or 8.

One more note. Think about what PS1 and N64 games you want to play. the problem with them is the amount of buttons they require. Which is fine if you use a controller, but not in a cab. PS1 has 4 buttons & 4 shoulder buttons. plus start and Select, for a total of 10. N64 has analog AND directional buttons, an A and B button, 4 C buttons, 2 shoulder buttons and a z button. that's 2 different joysticks and 10 buttons as well, counting the start button. That is a lot of buttons for systems that most likely won't get as much playtime as the others.

Slippyblade:
Here's a thread you might wanna look at.  Place sells refurbs.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,140112.0.html

Nickjs311:
Thanks for the help guys! Good points on Windows 7/8 being memory hogs and the possible button issues.  I was planning on picking up a tankstick so Ill have to be careful with my game selection.

http://www.xgaming.com/store/category/arcade-joysticks-and-game-controllers/

One of the other reasons I was looking at that particular pc is it has an HDMI port.  I know some people frown on the use of an LCD monitor/tv but Im not very worried about it having an authentic arcade look.  Because its a little more difficult to find older pcs with HDMI, do you guys have any other suggestions?  Im really wanting to avoid using an older (non flat) tv or moniter.  Thanks again for your help!!

blitzd:
I won't knock ya for going HDMI. If the monitor or TV has decent audio you solve a big problem with an HDMI cord. I checked www.microcenter.com and there are 2 cards for under 30 that have HDMI ports.I'd go with this one. Cheap, but powerful enough for whatever you need.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/380573/NVIDIA_GeForce_210_1024MB_DDR3_PCIe_20_x16_Video_Card

or http://www.microcenter.com/product/363989/AMD_Radeon_HD_5450_1024MB_DDR3_PCIe_20_x16_Video_Card

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