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[MrAustin]

Could someone give me a recommendation for the system to be used in the following manner?

I just want a cheap system so that I can play SNES and Gensis ROMS on my TV screen through emulators on my computer. And before we even get into it, they would only be ROMS that I own the carts for. Since that is a rather huge number, I want them all centralized so that I don't have to deal with all that clutter in my house.

So what I'm looking for:

Case: Preferably small form factor, micro-atx cases
Proc: Prolly either Celeron or low-AthlonXP/Duron
Mobo: Something that supports either of the above
Memory: cheap generic stuff

But the most important aspect is something that will allow me to plug from my computers video out into my TV.

Any advice?

Thanks!

[Tin]

1.6 Duron (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-104-159&depa=1) $44
Abit VA-10 (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-159&depa=1) $53
Corsair Value Select 256MB PC2100 (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-022&depa=1) $43
Speeze Whisper Rock (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-150-010&depa=1) $7.00
Western Digital 80GB/8MB (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-126&depa=1) $59
Lite-On 52x CD-ROM (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-101-205&depa=1) $21
Generic mATX Desktop Case (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=11-199-002&DEPA=1) $26

is that somehting along the lines of what youre looking for? that case has a couple of front USB ports...i know of a guide that shows you how to mod an exbox controller to USB. windows xp even recognizes it as an xbox controller. its a relatively easy mod to do, cut off the end of a USB cord, open it up, take the plug off the exbox controller, and you solder the wires in the same position they would be on the xbox. positive, ground, ground, data ;).

[MrAustin]

That is darn near perfect, Tin! But what to use in order to have the video go from comp to TV instead of to monitor?

[Tin]

you need a cheap video card with S-video out.....your TV will become your secondary display, or primary if you want it that way.

EDIT: Radeon 7000 32MB (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-142-021&depa=1) $29.99

[MrAustin]

Great! Thanks alot, Tin! I'm well on my way to nostalgia heaven.

[Tin]

not a problem...youre going to have alot of fun with that. im helping my friend build a MAME cabinet right now :). full sized arcade cab with a PC in it.

[MrAustin]

Are you two using similar equipment for that build? MAME is not very intensive, although some of the games can be, such as the bigger capcom fighters and neo-geo ones.

If I could get my old crappy e-machines back from my mother in law I might just stick a vid card in there and use it, but I would like to be able to have the system on display. Just add a wireless mouse and keyboard and I'm set :)

BTW, would it be worth it to purchase the 2500 Barton or Mobile over the Duron since I noticed that Abit VA-10 supports AthlonXP/Athlon/Duron processors? The difference is only $30, but it should be a good enough difference that in the future I can use this processor for a family member if need be, yes? Or should the Duron be sufficient?

Thanks again and keep me informed on that MAME cab, would love to see it when it is done!

[MrAustin]

This (http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=207&products_id=4234) should make the experience even more nostalgic than before! Muhaha!

[Redfallon]

This (http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=207&products_id=4234) should make the experience even more nostalgic than before! Muhaha!

no doubt! How did you burn the games???? Sorry I am a bit out of touch when it comes to consoles and mods and burns ;)

[MrAustin]

The games are simple ROM files that you can find for download all over the internet. They follow the same simple law of MP3s, being that unless you own the original, then you should not have the electronic version. Being that my game collection is now over 1K, then I wanted to build this in order to centralize several systems.

So the new system will have SNES9X, Gens and perhaps VisualBoy Advance (though my GBA collection is not nearly as expansive as the others), wireless keyboard and mouse, and two of the adapters shown above.

Overall I think it'll be a pretty good system, and probably run only around $300.

[Tin]

Are you two using similar equipment for that build? MAME is not very intensive, although some of the games can be, such as the bigger capcom fighters and neo-geo ones.

If I could get my old crappy e-machines back from my mother in law I might just stick a vid card in there and use it, but I would like to be able to have the system on display. Just add a wireless mouse and keyboard and I'm set :)

BTW, would it be worth it to purchase the 2500 Barton or Mobile over the Duron since I noticed that Abit VA-10 supports AthlonXP/Athlon/Duron processors? The difference is only $30, but it should be a good enough difference that in the future I can use this processor for a family member if need be, yes? Or should the Duron be sufficient?

Thanks again and keep me informed on that MAME cab, would love to see it when it is done!

its pretty much going to be all snk and capcom fighters :D. i been playing street fighter for 13 years :). even played a few local tournaments way back then. i only won one of them....won a genesis and 2 games, but it was all fun.

[Alaron]

Just a quick addition. The power supply in that case is generic. I don't trust its quality for a second. Add this Enermax unit. It will fit the mATX form and provide quality power. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-103-448&depa=1

Otherwise, it is a great cheap multimedia system. :)