Need help with Mini ITX MAME build

J

jaquer404

n00b
Joined
Dec 27, 2012
Messages
5
Hello all. First time poster, etc.

After 8 years or so since my last build, I've been bitten by the MAME bug again. I'm out of touch with components in general, so I'd love to ask you geniuses for recommendations.

1. What will you be doing with this PC?
MAME. System should be fast enough to play the Killer Instincts, Street Fighter 3, Street Fighter EX, stuff like that. Google tells me I need about 2Ghz processor, but I'm not 100% sure. Street Fighter IV seems to have reasonable requirements, and would be a bonus.

2. Will you be overclocking?
Nein.

3. What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included in this budget? Is your budget flexible? Is cost a driving factor in component selection?
For just the PC, about $150 USD, $200 including taxes and S&H, tops. Don't laugh at me if I'm being unreasonable. I'm just naive. :p

4. Where do you live? Do you have any big B&M (brick and mortar) computer chains nearby (e.g. Microcenter, Fry's, etc)?
I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area. Fry's nearby, yeah. No other place that I've shopped at.

5. What exact parts do you need for that budget?
I need a motherboard, CPU (and cooling), RAM and a laptop HD.

6. If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing?
I'll be reusing this case:
http://www.morex.com.tw/products/productdetail.php?fd_id=111

I believe that limits the height of the CPU/cooling system.

7. What specific features do you need in a motherboard?
That it fits the above case.

8. What resolution output do you need?
Nothing fancy. I'm gonna use a 4:3 monitor, but a future proof 720p would be nice, but not a requirement.

9. Does this system need to fit into a particular space and do you need an optical drive?
Again, just that it fits the Morex case. No optical drive necessary.

10. How comfortable are you with custom case design/modification and electrical wiring?
Somewhat comfortable, but would rather avoid it.

11. How important is the noise/silence of this sytem?
Not important at all.

12. How mobile does this system need to be?
It'll be attached to the arcade, so not an issue.

13. Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Yes. I'm debating between XP since it's what I used last time and is less resource intensive or 7 64 bit.

14. When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
ASAP.

It might seem unusual to want a Mini ITX for an arcade, but this isn't gonna be a cabinet. I scored this stand/kiosk that I'm gonna re-purpose, so the computer will actually go on the outside:

http://db.tt/nDoYYc8q

I wouldn't mind going the used/eBay route if necessary. I wouldn't completely oppose choosing a new case if there are big savings to be had.

Thanks!
 
jaquer404 said:
1. What will you be doing with this PC?
MAME. System should be fast enough to play the Killer Instincts, Street Fighter 3, Street Fighter EX, stuff like that. Google tells me I need about 2Ghz processor, but I'm not 100% sure. Street Fighter IV seems to have reasonable requirements, and would be a bonus.
Click to expand...

Hello, welcome to [H] :)

There might be some people here in SFF subforum who know about MAME hardware requirements, but it'd be a bit easier for others if you could narrow it down a bit more for us. Perhaps try to find out on MAME forums what other people are using that they're happy with.

Also think that for your budget, might indeed be better looking at 2nd-hand stuff. Previous generation hardware is - relative to performance - pricey when you buy it new.
 
Are you looking at creating your own controller layout as well? I have a pretty cool gpwiz usb device that drives two joysticks and 20 plus buttons 1/2 blue 1/2 red with 1up and 2up that i would like to sell pm if interested. As far as the computer the real bottle neck is going to be the cpu and the maximum single threaded performance you can get the better as most emus including mame are not multithreaded. So probably your best bet is an intel i3 3220 considering your price range. I would assume that the hd4000 would be sufficient for your needs unless you wanted to play other games too. Have you looked at the intel nuc boxes? Might set you back a little more but you get a smaller form factor than itx, just add ram 8gb $40 and a msata ssd 120gbs have been on sale for 100$ lately, and you have a pretty good little box. these even come with a mounting bracket. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856102002
 
Can you link your gpwiz usb device? Interested. I am going to build an arcade cabinent aswell. Thanks!

For $200 dollars your looking at a tough build, But for mame isnt that bad. Used items would be best, and cheapest. Also to get playing street fighter IV, you would need more power, and abit more money to run that emulation, and or PC game. You cant skimp on fighting games becuase frame rates is all you need to play good, or junk. Linking combos would be extremely hard if your laggy.
 
rhansen5_99 said:
Are you looking at creating your own controller layout as well? I have a pretty cool gpwiz usb device that drives two joysticks and 20 plus buttons 1/2 blue 1/2 red with 1up and 2up that i would like to sell pm if interested. As far as the computer the real bottle neck is going to be the cpu and the maximum single threaded performance you can get the better as most emus including mame are not multithreaded. So probably your best bet is an intel i3 3220 considering your price range. I would assume that the hd4000 would be sufficient for your needs unless you wanted to play other games too. Have you looked at the intel nuc boxes? Might set you back a little more but you get a smaller form factor than itx, just add ram 8gb $40 and a msata ssd 120gbs have been on sale for 100$ lately, and you have a pretty good little box. these even come with a mounting bracket. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856102002
Click to expand...

Do you realize that you just told him that:

(1) He needs the fastest single-threaded performance possible. You recommend i3 3220 (3.3 GHz).

(2) You then for some strange reason recommend Intel NUC, which uses an ultra-portable version of the i3 (Core i3-3217U, 1.8 GHz). That's HALF the speed for the same damn price!

The NUC is for people who don't really need top performance, but aren't satisfied with Intel Atom or AMD Brazos. The OP fits NEITHER OF THESE!

jaquer404: rhansen5_99 is right about one thing: single-threaded performance is your best friend!. So if the Core i3 is too expensive, you can get nearly the same performance in the Pentium G640 for around $70 :D Just be aware that if you're going to play modern 3D games of any kind (not just MAME), you will need at least HD 4000 integrated graphics, or else a discrete graphics card.
 
WiSK said:
There might be some people here in SFF subforum who know about MAME hardware requirements, but it'd be a bit easier for others if you could narrow it down a bit more for us.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I will do just that. I debated where to post because my question seemed to fit several places. I settled in SFF because of my requirement for a low-profile Mini ITX. Maybe a better way to ask would have been: "Best Mini ITX for this case, with this budget".

And thanks for the welcome. :)

rhansen5_99 said:
Are you looking at creating your own controller layout as well?
Click to expand...

Not this time around. While I enjoyed the experience last time, I have more responsibilities and less time now. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go the X-Arcade route. Thanks though. Looks like you might have someone else interested anyway.

rhansen5_99 said:
As far as the computer the real bottle neck is going to be the cpu and the maximum single threaded performance you can get the better as most emus including mame are not multithreaded. So probably your best bet is an intel i3 3220 considering your price range. I would assume that the hd4000 would be sufficient for your needs unless you wanted to play other games too.
Click to expand...

Nice, thanks for that info.

KrAzYaZnFLiP808 said:
For $200 dollars your looking at a tough build, But for mame isnt that bad. Used items would be best, and cheapest. Also to get playing street fighter IV, you would need more power, and abit more money to run that emulation, and or PC game.
Click to expand...

Alright, I'll keep that in mind. Like I said, the SFIV reqs looked fairly modest to my untrained eyes, so I thought it'd be nice. Good to know either way.

defaultluser said:
jaquer404: rhansen5_99 is right about one thing: single-threaded performance is your best friend!. So if the Core i3 is too expensive, you can get nearly the same performance in the Pentium G640 for around $70 :D Just be aware that if you're going to play modern 3D games of any kind (not just MAME), you will need at least HD 4000 integrated graphics, or else a discrete graphics card.
Click to expand...

Very good! I'm starting to get an idea of which direction to go. I'll keep researching and maybe post specific advise as I get more informed. Thanks.
 
FYI, the cheapest CPU with the HD 4000 graphics is the $137 Core i3 3225 CPU. Up to you if the better 3D gaming performance and 300MHz higher clock speed is worth almost twice the price of the $68 Pentium G860. Note that you do have a $200 budget for the CPU, mobo, RAM, and 2.5" drive.
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
Danny Bui said:
FYI, the cheapest CPU with the HD 4000 graphics is the $137 Core i3 3225 CPU. Up to you if the better 3D gaming performance and 300MHz higher clock speed is worth almost twice the price of the $68 Pentium G860. Note that you do have a $200 budget for the CPU, mobo, RAM, and 2.5" drive.
Click to expand...

That, my friend, is a very compelling argument.

How's this for my first draft:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=18848991

I'm pretty much going with the cheapest on each category with reasonable ratings. The fan is just one of the only two described as "low profile" that fit the CPU. And just $55 over budget.
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
Danny Bui said:
Ditch the HSF: It's just as tall as the stock Intel HSF and probably cools just as well. So thats $10 saved.

You can save another $10 if you buy the CPU and mobo from this Newegg combo link
Click to expand...

Wow, cool! Thank you again. I'm gonna research more today and tomorrow, go with this if I find no compelling reason to change it.

Edit: I didn't want to reply and needlessly bump the thread, but I ordered the system with your suggestions. Thanks again everybody.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top