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Building a computer for my Cab
pointdablame:
One other thing.... Will made some good choices on components up top, but if all you are looking to play is NeoGeo games at the highest, that type of system would be OVERKILL. The newer revision of the motherboard he recommends is around $175, and a 2.8 - 3.0ghz P4 is going to run you $160-200.
You could save some cash by getting slightly lower-end components if all you will be doing is running MAME.
I am an AMD guy, so I won't be able to give you compatible Intel stuff, but I would go with something like an Nforce 2 motherboard and an AthlonXP in the 2400+ - 2800+ range. That will play all the games you want and be quite a bit cheaper.
I would recommend an Asus A7N8X motherboard. I've used 3 of them and love them. Good onboard sound, and it'll run you about $75. You could also look at the Shuttle AN35N-Ultra. It's another nice little board with decent onboard sound, and it'll only run you $60 or so.
For a CPU, you can get a 2500+ for $65 or so, or bump up to a 2800+ for just over $100. Either way, you'd be significantly under what Will suggested and would be able to run the games you want with no problems. Maybe Will or someone else could recommend a similar Intel setup.
moonpatrol 4 lyfe:
I have a 3.0 ghz pentium with 1 gig ram that Im using as my primary PC. The one I'll be building is just for MAME.
What kinds of games does MAME emulate that are above NeoGeo (in terms of hardware requirements)? Obviously the chd games, but you need a LOT of power to sucessfully emulate those. I wont be playing those games. I'm more of an old school gamer myself, but I freqently play newer games such as Metal Slug and Samuari Showdown.
I've only owned to PCs in my life, a 400mhz celeron and my current 3gig pentium, so I'm really not sure if I should stick with my Pentium, or go to AMD for this project. I don't have a lot of cash, so I just need a PC for this project that will run windows XP, and smoothly and successfully emulate all my games in XP without any lag, or freezing.
Also, I've heard of some rare cases where ArcadeVGA cards dont fit a certain AGP port... I definately need a motherboard that will be 100% compatible.
Thanks for your posts, you guys have been very informative. I just can't afford a system that has way more power than I need. My money also need to go to cab restoration, finding someone to build me a new control panel, (I dont have a drill press or table saw), a crapload of parts from Ultimarc, and 4 joysticks and 28 buttons.
Thanks again!
Bill
markb:
I run Mame on two rigs, the first is my main computer upstairs:-
Athlon XP 2700+
640mb Ram
120gb Hard-drive
Radeon 9800 Pro
The second is for my actual arcade machine which runs:-
Cheap Case from Ebuyer -
Lilwolf:
btw, for 3d games... I hear 3.4 ghz is the speed break.
Not that there is a bid difference between 3 - 3.4... But RBelmont has a 3.4 so I know the games that he can play fullspeed. Most of these can run in Zinc on a 2 ghz (tekken with sound I haven't tested yet)
Sound card you should be able to use an onboard without problems.
Look for a motherboard with PS2 keyboards (not all do anymore) for ease with keyboard encoders.
Building a computer is easy. It takes more time to setup the OS then to physically build a computer. (motherboard in case. memory and processor in motherboard, drives in case, plug drives to computer, ect)
yourfatmama:
how much horsepower doesnt it take for those CHD games being mentioned ? ..gonna see if i can find a list of them to see what i'd miss out on
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