Need suggestions for system for specific purpose

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Mac Cool

I'm going to build a system to power a MAME cabinet. MAME is CPU
intensive, it cares nothing about video cards, excessive memory is not
necessary either.

Here's what I need:
a MB with onboard everthing (vid, sound, lan, usb)
processor & heatsink
power supply
memory

Everything else I have or don't need. The two most important things are
price and CPU power, in that order, anything else can be comprise. I would
prefer a good brand motherboard. I have no preference for AMD or Intel.

Let's set a max budget of $150 including shipping. What do you think?
 
Mac said:
I'm going to build a system to power a MAME cabinet. MAME is CPU
intensive, it cares nothing about video cards, excessive memory is not
necessary either.

Here's what I need:
a MB with onboard everthing (vid, sound, lan, usb)
processor & heatsink
power supply
memory

Everything else I have or don't need. The two most important things are
price and CPU power, in that order, anything else can be comprise. I would
prefer a good brand motherboard. I have no preference for AMD or Intel.

Let's set a max budget of $150 including shipping. What do you think?
Click to expand...

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/BBONE.hmx?updepts=barebones.hmx&dname=Barebones
 
Mac said:
I'm going to build a system to power a MAME cabinet. MAME is CPU
intensive, it cares nothing about video cards, excessive memory is not
necessary either.

Here's what I need:
a MB with onboard everthing (vid, sound, lan, usb)
processor & heatsink
power supply
memory

Everything else I have or don't need. The two most important things are
price and CPU power, in that order, anything else can be comprise. I would
prefer a good brand motherboard. I have no preference for AMD or Intel.
Click to expand...


You may not have a preference for AMD vs Intel but the software might. I'd
research that before you decide.
 
You may not have a preference for AMD vs Intel but the software
might. I'd research that before you decide.
Click to expand...

Can you give an example of software that has a preference? There have been
no compatibility issues with AMD processors going back to the 486 units. I
have heard that AMD processors are more responsive while single tasking,
but I think any difference would be negligable after a second or two.
Truthfully, on my budget, AMD is really the only option.

It is unfortunate that MAME, or specifically the games, can't be used for
benchmarking because there are games that will bog down any modern CPU.
 
Sounds like a pipe dream.

You want
a MB with onboard everthing (vid, sound, lan, usb)
processor & heatsink
power supply
memory
Click to expand...
Let's set a max budget of $150 including shipping. What do you think?
Click to expand...

Might find a used system for this price.

A good motherboard costs like $80.00

Processor might be around $40 for say an AMD 1800 or 2000 or maybe a
celeron.

You need at least $50.00 for Memory. Have to have about 256 Megs.
The minimum would be 128 Megs. Memory depends on the OS and the
software. Most systems today are using 512Megs. You can get XP to
run on 128 Megs for around $30.00.

Another option might be a Via Mini-ITX motherboard with the processor
on the motherboard already. I think you can pick up a EPIA V 1Ghz for
around $97.99. This has a C3 Processor made by Via. Small footprint
and low power consumption. 1 IDE Port, 1 Floppy. Uses PC133 RAM.
HAS 2 RAM Slots. I think I saw one of these on sale at:

www.directron.com
 
Charles said:
Sounds like a pipe dream.
Click to expand...

It doesn't have to be a great system, I'm just looking for the best
system I can get for $150, with the following:

I actually have sound, NIC & video cards, so if the MB didn't have it,
that would be ok. I don't have heavy power requirements, just enough to
run the MB, CPU & HD.
Might find a used system for this price.
Click to expand...

I will if I see a good deal.
A good motherboard costs like $80.00
Click to expand...

Nah, a very good MB costs $80; a 'good' MB will cost around $40-50. It
doesn't have to be current generation.
Processor might be around $40 for say an AMD 1800 or 2000 or maybe a
celeron.
Click to expand...

Here's an example, minus memory:
http://secure.newegg.com/app/WishList.asp?DEPA=0
&position=current&submit=add&item=17-103-481
You need at least $50.00 for Memory. Have to have about 256 Megs.
Click to expand...

What I have decided to do about memory: my current machine has 256x2, I
plan to purchase a 512 stick for my main machine and take one of the 256
sticks and put in the MAME cab.

This should give me a good base machine that I could add memory or
upgrade the processor in the future.
 
Mac said:
Can you give an example of software that has a preference? There have been
no compatibility issues with AMD processors going back to the 486 units.
Click to expand...

If the app is configured for SSE2. it might not run as well on one that
doesn't have it. Sure it will be compatable, but some software runs better
on an AMD, some runs better on a P4.
I have heard that AMD processors are more responsive while single tasking,
but I think any difference would be negligable after a second or two.
Truthfully, on my budget, AMD is really the only option.
Click to expand...

Then you do have a preference....
 
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