Project...um...First Timer!!!!

[Bloinkxp]

What OS are you using?
Windows XP really needs a GB of RAM to stop the Harddisk from using the pagefile as much.

MameUI can be "intense".  Have you considered backing down to maybe Mame .71-86?  On my older MAME machine I was around that level for that vintage processor.  I would download that version of mame and maybe use http://mamedev.emulab.it/clrmamepro/datfiles.htm manipulate a few test roms to that version.
I am using a Mini-ITX running .55 and had to do the same to get some decent performance.

Good Luck!

[Neverending Project]

Sorry for being OT, but I just saw that PC case and noticed a PowerMac G4 right there in the side!

[DillonFoulds]

@ Neverending Project: Crazy Apple fans these days... 

@kjeffery: i was running mame .135 on an Athlon xp 2600+ with 512mb ram no sweat. It would play literally all the older games (up to and including the Metal Slugs) without much slow down. The main reason i upgraded was to replace the video card, as it was causing some tearing. I don't see that cpu and ram combination being a problem for the classics. Try disabling some of the xp features. I disabled nearly every service, turned off the skinning, had a plain black background... basically nix all the crap you really don't need...

[kjeffery]

Im am going to try installing tinyxp which only uses 40mb of ram when its installed and see if it works. i might also upgrade  the video card with something like a 64mb card

[RobbyMac]

Im shoebox testing this whole mame thing (newbie) with an old celeron D 1.2 ghz and mame .135 (using the built-in video on the m/b). I also run tiny xp (friggin awesome).
I found it would skip and bog down alot unless I switched to directdraw 'mode' and even then I had to have it 'skip frames' automatically.
Later, I added an agp card (nvidia 440 something or other) because it had an S-Video port (my goal is to connect to a 27" tv). When this card was used, i had no skipping issues like I had previously. I've read that everything run through cpu and not video, but in this case it made a difference (I'm still learning).

Having said all this, I did not try any blitz, dark legacy, etc... All i was testing/running was the usual arcade classics.
I can't tell you if that pc is good enough or not, as I'm finding out as i progress in this project. But I think the video card (probably any video card other than built in) would make a difference. If you have spares lying around, try it out.

[kjeffery]

What OS are you using?
Windows XP really needs a GB of RAM to stop the Harddisk from using the pagefile as much.

MameUI can be "intense".  Have you considered backing down to maybe Mame .71-86?  On my older MAME machine I was around that level for that vintage processor.  I would download that version of mame and maybe use http://mamedev.emulab.it/clrmamepro/datfiles.htm manipulate a few test roms to that version.
I am using a Mini-ITX running .55 and had to do the same to get some decent performance.

Good Luck!

I am having a problem on the older versions too. They do run a hella lot better but half the games dont work and half of them are centered and not full screen

[kjeffery]

Just swapped processor out and put in a amd athlon xp 2100 and put in a geforce 2 mx400 with 64mb ddr and put another 256mb ram in it, so ram is 768 now, wish me luck bout to go and try to see what mame does now

[kjeffery]

WOW!!!!!!!!! Its like a whole new computer. Every game I played ran smooth as hell, even Killer Instinct and Metal Slug Games. I guess switching from on board to a actual video card helped allot and adding a little better cpu and ram worked. Im using version .120 of mame a mgalaxy and runs great

[DillonFoulds]

Told you, until you start needing to worry about some 3d games you'll have some issues. The other rom that wouldn't run great for me was diehard.zip. I haven't given it a shot on my lastest setup, but i'll try back and report. It's not a big step up from where i was at before.

[kjeffery]

Nah, I dont plan on running 3d games ever. Im getting a dedicated area 51 and cruisin usa when i get my 8k rebate for buying a house. Already got a warehouse 2 hours from me and getting them for 500 each

[Turnarcades]

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=98001.0

Check out mybrief comments in this thread on PC specs which I've covered in detail in the past. You don't need a high-spec machine or additional video cards if you software is chosen and programmed carefully. If you're at this point of building and not looking at proper command line emulators and a properly set up front-end, you really should be.

[kjeffery]

Well I got it how I wat it running. Im using mamewah now and boots straight to it when windows loads up

[kjeffery]

Well got the computer mounted and just used sell tappers straight to the bottom of the cabinet and its very stable and isnt going to slide nowhere. I got the keywiz mounted with the plastic pcb holders from the old pcb that was on the original game. I fired it up and it loads straight to the front end, dang I wish I had some money to buy a control panel because Id play it. My volume control and usb ports will be behind the bottom door so I can open it and have them for easy access.Here is a list below of what needs to be done

Greylite 14 for the screen
New Mame Marquee
Speakers
Control Panel
Install and wire controls
Smart power strip


Plan on having this done in 2 weeks. Im moving into a house I just bought in a week and will finish it when I move. Here are some pics. It feels good getting this far and will better in 2 weeks when its done. Sorry for the crappy camera pics