Hello all. I am new to this site and I have never built a computer before. This will hopefully be my first self-built computer. I am looking for some help with a good parts list for a computer that can act as emulation rig for all the older platforms starting with NES era and ending with the Dreamcast era. I also would like it if the rig could play PC games but I am only concerned with games that pre-2009. It does not need to be capable of playing anything that comes out today. The main use of the computer will be for emulation of older consoles along with MAME. I would also like to be able to hook it up to a television. I am comfortable with Newegg so recommendations from that site would be great. I am hoping someone can help me develop a complete compatible parts list for a computer that will last a long time and be relatively easy to build for a first time "builder". If possible I would like to keep the rig under $700. Finally, the 2-part article below is what I planned on using to build the computer. Thanks for the help everyone. Tony
In reality, you don't need much power if that's all your going to do since most game console emulators are written to run on minimal hardware. You could probably buy something used and modify it for a lot less than $700.00 if that's waht your real purpose is. But, as with most people, it starts out wuith x, then they add y, and z, and so on. MAME runs OK on "dirt". I have been using it for many many years. I ran it on a Celeron 300MHz with Win 95 in DOS mode. Power is not a a concern if your primary emulator is MAME. I think that you should focus on your requirement to run 2008 games, some of which can have hefty requirements and kill your $700.00 budget in a snap.
Fair enough. I definitely want to stay under $700. So maybe if you guys could help me maximize my computer for the $700, that would be great. A few more things I thought of: I would also like to get a TV tuner but this would be the last thing I would need and could be easily left out. Finally, I also need to purchase an operating system. I would like to stick with Windows so if I could also get thoughts on a recommendation of XP or Vista, that would also be great. Thanks for the help.
Everything up until the SNES/Genesis era is a doddle to run on the cheapest system. N64 and PSX emulation requires a bit more hardware, and to run PS2 emulation takes significant processing power. I don't know about the Dreamcast, I've not tried to emulate it. The Gamecube, I know is an impossibility on any current system. You'll need to be more specific about the PC games, as two of the most demanding games currently available came out in 2007.
Hmmm. I mainly like RPG's and RTS's. I am NOT a fan of first person shooters. Not sure if this helps. I plan on using the computer to play PC games as a secondary thought so if there are a few games I can't play such as Crysis (Don't like FPS's anyway) then that is okay.
Supreme Commander:Forged Alliance (an RTS) is one of those examples. In general though, outside the FPS genre there's not much that's too excessive on the hardware requirements.
Q8300 CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115207 EP43-DS3L M/B: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128347 4GB Corsair DDR2: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145215 WD6400AAKS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218 Sapphire HD4830: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102803 Corsair VX 450W: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003 Antec 300 Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042 LG 22x DVDRW: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152
Thank you very much for the list. I appreciate your time. Do you think these parts will be relatively simple to install for a first-time builder? Also, any thoughts on an operating system? XP, Vista? Thanks again. Tony
Generally I prefer XP, but Vista-64 may help with emulating the newer consoles. The parts should not be difficult to install, if you have any problems, post in the official building thread.
One additional question. I think I would prefer XP. With this in mind, can you point me to a link from Newegg on which version would be best? I get confused with whether I would need home or professional, 32 or 64, etc. Thanks a bunch
Hello again. I had a question regarding the compatibility of the graphics card with the motherboard. The graphics card says "75 Watt 6-pin PCI Express power connector recommended." I could not find anything in the Motherboard specs that said it had a "6-pin" although it did say it had 4 "pci express" slots. Is this the same thing? Thanks again.
