Want to Replace my old Dell w/AcrcadeVGA with new smaller cpu and GroovyMame

[momoaz]

Hi so I have a Dynamo cabinet with an older Dell Vostro Win7 ArcadeVGA 3000. The machine takes up 14x16in on the shelf and its a tight fit with a Jpac and audio amp etc. I was going to downsize this PC to something running Windows 7 or Win 10 I dont care which and try GroovyMAME to get all the resolutions right for as many games as possible. Can a few of you suggest the best small form pc or logic board/video card config to use for the newer build? My cabinet currently has a Vision Pro 25in monitor which I think syncs up to 800x600

Do I look for a Catalyst 6.5 card or a 9.3?
Is a logic board with built in graphics ok or should I use a separate card?
Is there a favorite choice that works best out there?
Is Win 10 preferred going forward?

I am looking to get the hardware ordered or purchased or dug out of my warehouse and I can start to figure the software install, drivers and front end later. Just looking for good hardware experience with the most compatibility for classics, vector and games up to the late 80s. I also want to run Daphne. As for other emulators for home consoles I am not that interested.


thanks for anyone giving me the short strokes on this.

[buttersoft]

1. Phwoar, some of your info is 5 years out of date, you're talking about crt_emudriver v1.2 for Catalyst 6.5 or 9.3, and using windows XP. Take a look at the crt_emudriver v2.0 download thread on Calamity's site, there's a list of compatible cards in the top post. Then also look at post 2 and work out if you need composite sync. Then read the Atom-15 thread on that same forum and work out if you need Atom-15, and if you do, start using google for any card or setup to find out if anyone's having problem with it using Atom-15.

http://geedorah.com/eiusdemmodi/forum/viewforum.php?id=7

2. In theory APU's work fine, if they're on the list. But in practice i'm not sure there's been much testing done. A discrete card is safer.

3. A nice, low-end R7 card should be great for what you want, but it's up to you and what you can get within budget that does the job you need. (see 1. above)

4. Yes, yes, and yes.

[bjt42]

I've had good results with a RM Ecoquiet PC with the case chopped to accomodate a HD5450 in the PCI-E slot.
It's the smallest thing I could find with a usable slot. It has a i5-3470 which can handle everything up to the early 90s.

[bjt42]

Also, I nearly went for an AMD APU but the older APUs that are confirmed to work with CRT Emudriver are weak in MAME, and the newer Ryzen-based APUs aren't confirmed to have a fully-working VGA output. The Intel + discrete AMD card combo is tried and tested.

[momoaz]

As per Buttersoft I think I am going to try a R7 240 half height card with an I5 Case of some sort. Maybe an Dell I have a bunch of those but it wont buy me much more space in my cabinet tray.

BJT42. It pleases me to see your pic is almost exactly like my machine down to the modified case, the trashed top lid, the zip tied video card HA! I dont feel so abnormal now knowing I am not the only one out here. Even the L brackets holding the pc down to the tray is spot on for my build. Crap we should have a post to show our "battle of the ---daisies---". I wont feel so bad now if my next build still looks like this. I will get a picture of my regurgitated PC.

[bjt42]

I wont feel so bad now if my next build still looks like this. I will get a picture of my regurgitated PC.

Yep zip ties are the the way to go