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Building my first Arcade and I'm a complete Noob
Gavica:
Hi, I want to buil a MAME Arcade.
I've been browsing around the Internet and found a few pointers.
But I need help.
More or less what I am looking for is an empty cabinet to acomodate all the parts for the arcade.
So far this is what I got:
*Monitor (19" Dell P990 CRT )
*PC (P3 500mhz / 768mb PC-100 RAM / 20gig HD / 32mb Vid Card) *Note Computer can be upgraded if needed, that is not an issue*
*X-Arcade™ Two Player Joystick (Which I don't yet have, but plan on to buy)
*Speakers are Altec Lansing 4.1 (which can be converted to 2.1)
So If I am thinking this correctly all I would need would be the cabinet right???
Now, should I buy one premade? or build my own? problem with building is I don't have the tools, and since I live on an apartment building, I don't have the space either.
Another solution, I find this site, which sells the cabinets, and I like that they can acommodate the X-Arcade stick, problem is they are a bit expensive for like $600 +
http://www.mameroom.com/UAIIEkit_info2.asp
what do you guys recommend I do? and at least how powerful should a PC running mame games should be? That way if I need to build another PC i build the cheapest possible, with the bare minimum required.
Also, when placing the monitor in the Cabinet, since its really havy, can I just put it in there? because I have seen many pictures were people take the case off and just put in the screen. I am not very Monitor savy and would be afraid to do that and ruin the monitor.
I would rather just stick the whole thing in there.
Scumgriever:
If you're going for quick and easy but still money consious your absolute best bet is to find a second hand gutted cabinet around somwhere. they go for pretty cheap with nothing in them, If you can find a good deal.
then mounting the x-arcade to the cab shouldn't be too hard.
My cab has a removable CP that you could replace with the x arcade, or just remove the exosting controlls and screw the sucker down.
Gavica:
Thanks for answeres.
Do you know the part I posted about the monitor?
And where can I find locally where they sell Arcade Cabinets used???
Basically I'm trying to find something as Economic as possible
I found this pic on wikipedia
FrizzleFried:
I bought my first cabinet with monitor, 2 joysticks, 14 buttons and JAMMA harness for $100. I got my second cabinet with monitor, 2 joysticks, 8 buttons and JAMMA harbess for $35 and 8 DVD-R's...
I doubt you can BUILD a cabinet for those prices let alone build a cabinet, get a monitor, 2 working joysticks and buttons, etc.
Xam:
--- Quote from: Gavica on December 10, 2006, 02:33:26 pm ---Thanks for answeres.
Do you know the part I posted about the monitor?
And where can I find locally where they sell Arcade Cabinets used???
Basically I'm trying to find something as Economic as possible
I found this pic on wikipedia
--- End quote ---
Check Craigs List in your area...lots of free ones and cheap ones there if you are patient. Also check E-Bay...if you are in the area where one is being sold, you can get them for around $50.00 if you pick it up.
Also call the local arcades or arcade repair facility...they sometimes have older cabinets that are not worth (to them) reconditioning.
One final suggestion, Thrift stores. Several people on this forum have found some deals one cabinets there.
Also...I would recommend changing the joys in the X-Arcade to one of the better available ones...I know I changed mine and have not regretted it at all. The X is pretty good overall...but the joys are inferior in my opinion...other than that, I have no issues with mine.
Good luck and let us know your progress in the project announcemnet board.
Xam
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