Possible Mame Computer? Help

[Igorr]

Hey, I was browsing ebay and I really need to start getting my mame computer stuff. I have had my project just sitting in the garage.

Would this make a good computer for a mame project? If not what else would I need? I think it sounds like it would work well.

The guy has other computers as well, some even cheaper, like 70 bucks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PENTIUM-4-1-5-GHZ-COMPUTER-512-MB-40-GB-HD-XP-FREE-SHIP_W0QQitemZ170202890431QQihZ007QQcategoryZ179QQ tcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

[jb143]

It completely depends on what your wanting to run. If it's older pacman type games then that's way too much. If it's most games it's still probally too much. I got my mame PC for $50 and it runs all but the newest games perfectly.

[MrSparkle]

my old school amd k6-2 450 ran nearly every game just fine. you should be able to build a completely overkill for mame system for about $100 or so. Pricewatch.com is your friend ;)

[Igorr]

So thats overkill you think? I dont mind spending 100 on a computer, he has the same thing here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170202889542&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=007

but with a smaller hard drive. Would that one be a bit better or make more sense?

I mean for 100 bucks shipped with mouse and keyboard, I think its a pretty good deal.

[skaar]

People are giving away better systems than that these days. Check Craigslist/etc for something local. Heck, ask some businesses if they have old systems kicking around - they're generally happy to be rid of them if you offer to take the hard drive out.

Not worth spending money on!

[Igorr]

People are giving away better systems than that these days. Check Craigslist/etc for something local. Heck, ask some businesses if they have old systems kicking around - they're generally happy to be rid of them if you offer to take the hard drive out.

Not worth spending money on!


I have looked on craigslist, I either cant find a good one, or I miss one, or they are 200++

Thats why I thought just drop 100 and get one and not have to worry about doing anything to it at all. Just hook it all up!

[Igorr]

So if the above computers are too much, in regards to what they have, anyone close to the pittsburgh area with a computer they dont need?

[otoko]

Here's a thought. Try your local computer recyclery. They usually get tons of working systems. The worst thing that happens is they tell you "no" to buying a system.

Thats how I got my P4 2.66ghz, 640ish RD ram workstation for $30.

[Captain Wrong]

Also, it might be worth your while to thrift. I know, this is really hit or miss, but just today I picked up a HP P4 2.66/512 DDR/40GB (one of those little gray business machines) that only seems to need a fresh install of an OS and is good to go. Cost? $24.

[skaar]

You could put an ad up on CL saying "Looking for free computer - email with specs and I'll come take it away!"

You'd be surprised.

[otoko]

Also, it might be worth your while to thrift. I know, this is really hit or miss, but just today I picked up a HP P4 2.66/512 DDR/40GB (one of those little gray business machines) that only seems to need a fresh install of an OS and is good to go. Cost? $24.


Thrift stores around here are not that good. You'd be lucky to get that for 200$ at the ones I live near.

[Igorr]

Thrift stores around here are not that good. You'd be lucky to get that for 200$ at the ones I live near.

Yeah, I just called the Goodwill Pittsburgh computer place in the Southside, there CHEAPEST computer, of course they are all rebuilt (by them I guess) is 209.00.

I can get a brand new one for cheaper than that.

What do you think about this one?
I can get it for 110.

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/sys/740707077.html

[otoko]

I have this to say. My friend owns a computer store... and he gives me those computers for free.. They're that worthless.

[skaar]

For that gateway if you REALLY want it I'd offer $50, delivered.

Serioudly though - for someone who works in IT, they're worthless.

If you're looking to use it for MAME why not just get a cheap old laptop? They'll run most everything and you can put them inside a cabinet a lot easier...

[Igorr]

Hold up, wait a minute. I am scoring a computer right now. Just got the pennysaver. 25$ With monitor, keyboard, and mouse. I will post what I got when I get home!

[otoko]

Well I have a Ipaq workstation I don't have a need for anymore (In fact I currently employ it as my stool to reach games in my collection). I also have a old etower.

Ipaq- 500mhz, 256mb ram, CD drive, compact design. 2 usb, 4mb video RAM, ethernet, Win XP pro. I'll changing the HDD in it first. No room for expansion.

Emachine Etower- 633mhz, 256 (maybe more?) mb ram, DVD drive, 2 usb, unknown mb video RAM, Floppy drive, Win XP pro Fresh install. room for expansion 3 PCI ports.

I'd say all you'd have to pay for is shipping. I figure any of those should handle it quite well.

Edit: Nevermind?

[Igorr]

Well I have a Ipaq workstation I don't have a need for anymore (In fact I currently employ it as my stool to reach games in my collection). I also have a old etower.

Ipaq- 500mhz, 256mb ram, CD drive, compact design. 2 usb, 4mb video RAM, ethernet, Win XP pro. I'll changing the HDD in it first. No room for expansion.

Emachine Etower- 633mhz, 256 (maybe more?) mb ram, DVD drive, 2 usb, unknown mb video RAM, Floppy drive, Win XP pro Fresh install. room for expansion 3 PCI ports.

I'd say all you'd have to pay for is shipping. I figure any of those should handle it quite well.

Edit: Nevermind?

Hey, I will let you know, I am leaving now to get that computer, and or to check it out. thanks for the great offers. I will post what I get later.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I have a pretty decent experience tooling around with MAME on a win XP system.

If you want to run modern games (like Street Fighter III), you'll need a decent amount of ram and processing speed ... but over-kill on the ram won't help some games at all.

From what I've read/learned, a Pentium 3 with about 500MB or greater of ram is a safe place to be for a MAME CPU.

That's what I've got running in mine and out of the 6000+ roms I have in my MAME cab, I can do pretty much everything except for 3D fighters like Tekken or DOA.

Unfortunately some games have minor sound/video compatability with different versions of MAME that goe beyond the CPU speed no matter how fast or advanced your computer is, which is why I keep about 4 or 5 various versions of MAME 32/UI on my cab to deal with that where applicable.

[Igorr]

Well I got a HP Pavilion 6640C with I think like a 15 gig hard drive, mouse, keyboard and monitor for 25.

Pic:
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Igorr/HP/?action=tageditmany

I tried to go online with it, went through the whole thing, but it seems that it only can use dial up? Could that be right? How can I get around that or make it accept my high speed verizon?

As you can see, I am not a computer person.

[otoko]

Well I got a HP Pavilion 6640C with I think like a 15 gig hard drive, mouse, keyboard and monitor for 25.

Pic:
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Igorr/HP/?action=tageditmany

I tried to go online with it, went through the whole thing, but it seems that it only can use dial up? Could that be right? How can I get around that or make it accept my high speed verizon?

As you can see, I am not a computer person.

Your link does not work. What are the internal specs? Processor, RAM, video, etc? Also does it have a ethernet card/port? That's what you need to connect to a high speed connection. If it has a modem in the case... I'd throw that junk into the recycle.

[Soviet Conscript]

ah, just noticed you were in the pittsburgh area. i would reccommend trader jacks flea market as theres a guy there that usually has alot of decent computers for dirt cheap. or you can find one at a outside vender as its usually pretty viberent there this time of year.