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Newbie Q's - please be gentle!
Kremmit:
I can run Street Fighter II fullspeed on a 700mhz machine, but only with DOS MAME- in Windows98 it's slowed down. That's using MAME version .55, I think. Most everything older than that runs fine, even in Windows with MAME32.
There's nothing wrong with starting out with your existing computer, although I would put as much memory as you can into it. Spend your money on controls, interfaces, wood, t-molding, and the like, and get yourself up and running. Once you're over that hurdle, if you find that the existing computer just isn't quite enough for you, the computer is the easiest part to replace- after all, the Ipac just plugs into the thing.
As for your encoder questions:
Since you've already got an IPac, if you decide to add two trackballs (plus up to two spinners, if you like) then the Opti-Pac is the way to go. If you're only adding one trackball (plus up to two spinners, if you like), then the Opti-Wiz from GroovyGameGear.com will be cheaper. *However, if you're using an older version of MAME with your older computer, you won't be able to use the "Z-Axis" inputs on the Opti-Wiz. So if you want a TB plus a spinner, you'll have to use a switch as shown here: http://www.oscarcontrols.com/DPDTswitch.shtml. Or two of 'em if you want two spinners.
For your next project, if you're going to add optical controls, the Mini-Pac is awfully attractive. Ultimarc sells a pre-made wiring harness that just plugs right on to the connector- it costs a bit, but the hook-up doesn't get much easier than that. And you make up some (all?) of the cost of the wiring harness in not having to buy two encoders, since the Mini-Pac handles both optical and digital controls.
And it's always worth mentioning: The cheapest option for optical controls is still the mouse hack, if you're looking to save a buck.
_) (V) (-):
I am also using a PII-400 and all the old 80's stuff seems to work ok so far.
Older version of Mame32 seem to be more 'comfortable' than the newer one. I really like the abillity to bypass them screens at the start of the loads though.
Anyway, I was reading the MAME faq and they state MAME32 will benifit more from a faster CPU than adding memory or anything else. I haven't done any tests to confirm this but have noticed a dramatic increase in the amount of time it takes to update my roms folder. Also many of my old roms won't play under the newer version.
Also, cheep upgrade parts tip # 325 . . .
Not sure how things work in your city, but here we have to seperate any computer equipment from our trash. They actually have a drop off site for it and I know some guys who visit the place just to rummage around in the pile looking for goodies. It's not uncommon for them to find PIII parts there.
Happy hunting!
Tiger-Heli:
I'll try to just hit things that aren't already covered, or where I differ with responses.
--- Quote from: japangreg on September 08, 2006, 02:51:16 pm ---First set of questions re: comp. set up:
I'm planning on using an old PII, 400mhz 128mb 10gig system as the guts of my cab. Hoping to build this on the cheap, it's a left over comp. with Win 98 installed.
With a focus mostly on mid-to-late 90's games (the Street Fighters, X Men, etc.) as well as some of the earlier favorites, is that processor/memory combo doable?
--- End quote ---
You decide, but probably not. You will want to run an older version (0.56, 0.53) of MAME on it. That said, it costs you nothing (but time) to download and install an older MAME version and see how the comp does with it.
--- Quote ---Is upping the ram to 256 going to make a difference, or should I just go for a new processor?
--- End quote ---
Here I disagree with Kremmit. A processor upgrade will buy you tons more performance than a ram upgrade. TONS. Unless you have the ram sitting around or someone will donate it to you, you are throwing money away there. And mobo/processor upgrades are cheap. If I look on pricewatch, I can find an Athlon XP 2800 mobo/memory/ combo for $139, so if you are looking for something like a 1 - 1.5 G Duron or Thunderbird mobo/processor combo used, you shouldn't have to pay more than $50 for it.
--- Quote ---I've read a ton of threads on OS recommendations, and was surprised to see 98 as an occasionally favored one: does this still hold true (thread was from 04 or 05, I think) or will I have to find a way to talk MS into letting me install my XP home on a second box?
--- End quote ---
No and No - IMHO, 98 is not a favored OS any more, but you don't need XP on your cabinet. The main advantage with 98 was that it ran dual mice before this was added to MAME in 0.105 or so, and it is cheaper. OTOH, other than greater stability and running a few FE's and emulators that won't run under Win98, there is no real reason to put XP on a cabinet. In your case, you are definitely better running 98SE, as it's hardware requirements are more in tune with your system, and older MAME builds (which you will need to be running) had more options under Win98.
(BTW, I have also read on many computer boards that you should keep all your hardware approximately compatible - i.e. Pentium II 400, TNT2 graphics card, Win98, or XP 2800, Radeon 9200 graphics card, WinXP, or Pentuim IV 3.4 Ghz, GTX 7900 Graphics card, WinXP - But don't try to install the GTX 7900 card in the Pentium II 400 box, or the TNT2 card in the P4 box, or run Win98 with the newer components, etc.)
--- Quote ---Not being familiar with soldering/electronics in general, is the mini-pac much harder to work with when wiring?
--- End quote ---
Generally, there is no soldering with any of the encoders - except the GGG Eco line of encoders, and then only if you are comfortable with soldering and/or too cheap to pay the extra $3 for the IDE header. :laugh2:
RayB:
If he's going with the 400mhz system and Win98, 128mb is more than enough.
japangreg:
Hey guys, thanks for the replies (would have gotten back sooner, but the fianc
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