Video card or PC processor speed?

[Texasmame]

Running MAME32 .99 on a 1.3GHz P4 HP PC with XP with all the latest drivers and such.  Also have a very old ATI PCI card for the TV out feature. 

When I try and run games with the bezel artwork and/or overlays, the sound and gameplay is choppy as hell.  When just running the games, tho, with no bells and whistles - all is okay.

Wondering if getting a better video card would help or is a computer that was top-of-the-line years ago more the issue here?

I mean, I don't think that when I run Mario Bros with the bezel displayed that it should be so slow as it's nearly unplayable. . .

So, in the end, which is more important for running MAME with the artwork - a stronger processor or vid card?

TIA.

[Harry Potter]

As far as MAME is concerned, a more powerful CPU than what you have is definitely a must as well as a more powerful video card. Doesn't need to play Half Life 2 at 300fps but certainly something better than a PCI clunker.

You can get entry level GeForce cards with about 128/256Mb for a good price these days. And they all have TV out.

[Texasmame]

As far as MAME is concerned, a more powerful CPU than what you have is definitely a must as well as a more powerful video card. Doesn't need to play Half Life 2 at 300fps but certainly something better than a PCI clunker.

You can get entry level GeForce cards with about 128/256Mb for a good price these days. And they all have TV out.

K, thx.

Thought the ATI chipset was the only known one that didn't have any glitches when running MAME?   

[SirPeale]

Thought the ATI chipset was the only known one that didn't have any glitches when running MAME?   

ATI chipset can do 15KHz easily.  That's its claim to fame.

As to your OP, though artwork is 'neat' it taxes the CPU something fierce.

[2600]

As to your OP, though artwork is 'neat' it taxes the CPU something fierce.

Not if your using a more recent version of MAME. 

[SirPeale]

As to your OP, though artwork is 'neat' it taxes the CPU something fierce.

Not if your using a more recent version of MAME. 

.112u5 recent enough?  Still bogs it down.

[2600]

A case where we are both right.

If you use D3D and have a decent video card, the CPU is not taxed when using Artwork.  Obviously, there will be the border case where a CPU is slow enough no video card will help.

Otherwise, if you are not using D3D, the CPU is taxed when using Artwork.  Also, It may be taxed even harder with more recent versions if you are not using D3D and using some of the updated Artwork.


I think that covers all variables?

[Texasmame]

A case where we are both right.

If you use D3D and have a decent video card, the CPU is not taxed when using Artwork.  Obviously, there will be the border case where a CPU is slow enough no video card will help.

Otherwise, if you are not using D3D, the CPU is taxed when using Artwork.  Also, It may be taxed even harder with more recent versions if you are not using D3D and using some of the updated Artwork.


I think that covers all variables?

Yes, thank you!

I'm guessing that my 1.3 P4 will not be helped much by any PCI video card then. 

[2600]

Probably not.

To tell you the truth, I don't recall a desktop P4 being made that ran at 1.3GHz.

[Texasmame]

Probably not.

To tell you the truth, I don't recall a desktop P4 being made that ran at 1.3GHz.

It's an HP if that helps.  Heck, it's all on the sticker on the front so it HAS to be true!   

[2600]

Curiosity got me, I looked it up they did release one.  Just not at launch.

[Texasmame]

FWIW, I upgraded to 1.05 and that seems to have made a big improvement.  Just have to deal with the warning screens to start the game now.   

[northerngames]

2 512mb ram chip's will help alot also