GroovyMAME not for CRTs?

[Elaphe666]

Is there any advantage or disadvantage of using GroovyMAME with a normal monitor with bgfx video mode over using the standard MAME build? I mean, for instance, does it reduce lag in games, include fixes, improvements or is optimized in any other way?

[makya]

It's been asked several times. I know some GM improvements have been integrated in mainline mame but i believe GM remains better, even for non-CRT screen because GM has frame delay and syncrefresh that can benefit any setup.

[shbon]

Regarding input latency, specifically, I had the same thought as you a short while ago. After reading this forum and installing GM, I noted the following:

1. If your current MAME setup can use VRR (i.e. You have a Freesync/G-Sync monitor and your GPU supports it) then there's no advantage to using GM for input latency reduction: https://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,164449.msg1765487.html#msg1765487

2. BGFX can't be used with framedelay. You have to use video d3d (on Windows) or video opengl (on Linux) https://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,164449.msg1732267.html#msg1732267 to get the full input latency reduction benefit. There may still be some advantage though, even with framedelay 0: https://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,160722.msg1692769.html#msg1692769

3. You'll need a LCD display that accepts custom refresh rates to get the best experience, preferably in the range 54Hz to 62 Hz to cover (virtually) all raster games (E.g. rtype 55.017606 Hz).

4. GM will need more CPU/GPU resources vs. MAME. You may find (like me) that you can't use GM with your usual MAME CRT shader. i.e. I can get the input latency reduction (to a certain extent) but I don't have a powerful enough computer to make it look pretty on a LCD.
 

Assuming you've got a powerful enough computer and suitable LCD (and point 1. doesn't apply), then GM will reduce the input latency vs MAME significantly: http://geedorah.com/eiusdemmodi/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=1557#p1557 and is certainly worth the switch, IMO.