Lower Computing Power (AMD) System for MAME Arcade Cabinet

[truepusk]

I need a low powered computer (note computing power, not low wattage)to go into the awesome retro MAME arcade cabinet I'm working on. I want it cheap, but probably with two cores. It's replacing an AMD 64 3200+ w/ Radeon X800XL (AGP) that ALMOST did the job, but appears to be dying 🙁. That computer handled everything I needed except the Tekken series, which it was able to handle at 75% speed (getting 100% on this one would be nice!).

Prices shown include MIR.

• PSU - Corsair Builder 430 $20. Might have to wait awhile to find that good of a deal - Newegg sells them for that price every couple of months.
• Motherboard - ASUS M4A87T AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s ATX AMD Motherboard $50 - A NEW, UPDATED great deal that will probably expire before I can grab it, but I'm assuming I can find something comparable. I'd like gigabit Ethernet.
• CPU - AMD Athlon II X2 260 Regor 3.2GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor $57 - Again, probably will expire before I pull the trigger, but with the current special it's the price versus performance leader (I think). Is the PhenomII upgrade worth the extra money? I'm thinking probably not for what I'm going to use this machine. This deal has expired, but I'd be looking to hit the $60-$65 price range here.
• Memory - Crucial Ballistix sport 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT25664BA160A $20 - I hope this is a good plan because I just pulled the trigger and purchased it this morning. My other option was to get 8GB and swap it with one of my other computers (both have G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ.
• GPU - Right now I'm planning on using an EVGA 9800 GT 512 MB that I just happen to have lying around.
• Case - Thermaltake has case I like that often comes up on special for $30, but I might go without a case since it's going in a cabinet.

I think that comes out to only $180, including the case? Nice.

Open Questions
1. Pretty sure 1.5V memory and higher rated than the FSB that I put it on are all okay. Also I noticed that the timing of the memory I got is a little slower than some of the previous stuff, but this box will probably be a touch overpowered for what I'm using it for. Let me know if I'm wrong on any of these two or three memory questions.
2. What OS do I put on this? XP Pro or Windows 7 Pro? If I go with XP I can't use all the memory, but if I go with Windows 7 I probably have a nicer OS that I'll never use and it will hog a bit more of my resources. That might be a better question for the arcade boards, but input would be appreciated.

For your reference, I have another thread on this build as well.

 

[Ancalagon44]

Yeah that motherboard appears to have gone back up to $80 now. Any reason why you want AMD only?

I would consider getting a 970 chipset AMD board because its much more likely to be made Bulldozer compatible in future. With 870 chipset boards, might be hit and miss.

I would consider the Phenom II X2, because reports are good that they can be unlocked to Phenom II X4's reliably. That nets you 2 extra cores for free, plus I think most of them are multiplier unlocked which makes overclocking easy. If you want good performance for your money, Phenom II X2 would be it.

Of course, you probably wont want to overclock it if its in a MAME cabinet, for heat and noise reasons. Point is, if you need the extra performance, its there.

 

[DaveSimmons]

A socket 1155 Pentium dual-core with a H61 motherboard would be low-power too, though the G620 is $78 at newegg.

The G620 is faster than an X2 265 (3.3 GHz), while using ~40 watts less power under load:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4524/...-review-pentium-g850-g840-g620-g620t-tested/3

 

[truepusk]

Hi Ancalagon44, thanks for the info! A couple notes...

Yeah that motherboard appears to have gone back up to $80 now.

My pricing includes MIR, and there is a promocode if you look at Newegg's latest email special for $15 off.

Any reason why you want AMD only?

No. I'd consider Intel if it makes sense.

Unless I'm missing the boat on target performance, I would be more likely to make spec changes that either reduce my cost or leave the cost the same for greater performance than I would be to increase the cost for better performance/value. Basically my goal is as cheap as possible while still doing the minimally acceptable job. This computer is really just going to have one job: Emulate arcade games. Future proofing or eeking better performance for value isn't really going to be valuable here.

I would consider getting a 970 chipset AMD board because its much more likely to be made Bulldozer compatible in future. With 870 chipset boards, might be hit and miss.

 

[truepusk]

A socket 1155 Pentium dual-core with a H61 motherboard would be low-power too, though the G620 is $78 at newegg.

The G620 is faster than an X2 265 (3.3 GHz), while using ~40 watts less power under load:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4524/...-review-pentium-g850-g840-g620-g620t-tested/3

Oh cool, thanks for the link. I should clarify that by lower power I mean computing power, not actual wattage. Although I do love a more efficient machine, largely because it usually is quieter to properly cool it. I suspect I'll be paying more for not just the processor, but the motherboards as well, though. Even $18 is probably not worth the additional processing power.

Although this brings up an interesting point. As you can see, I'm currently planning on using the stock cooling on the processor (assuming I can't use the AMD64's old cooler - I think it's socket 939, but I'll have to look into the cooler's compatibility). With that in mind, how bad is the stock cooler that comes with the AMD? Is it noisy? Noise is going to be a little bit less of an issue sense the computer is going to be in a big cabinet, but still something to consider.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I've read here that the AMD stock coolers are much louder than intel's (probably because that extra 40 watts from the CPU needs to be cooled), but my last AMD's were a bunch of socket 939 systems where I used Zalman HSFs and Fanmates for low noise.

 

[Zap]

Have you considered going to Llano? Those are the A-series APU (A4/A6/A8). May end up costing more, but you can do mini ITX and have power efficiency with small size.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Yeah. those Llano has built it graphics which will probably do better than the HD 2000 and 3000 graphics offered by Intel

 

[DaveSimmons]

Yeah. those Llano has built it graphics which will probably do better than the HD 2000 and 3000 graphics offered by Intel

Not for MAME though, it's emulating old 2D arcade games.

http://mamedev.org/

 

[truepusk]

I updated the title and OP to clarify that I mean low computing power, not low wattage (I think I was unclear and have mislead a lot of people).


Part List Update: Adding 2 additional PSU options, updating CPU per expired deal, and adding my preferred case.Prices shown include MIR.

• PSU - Corsair Builder 430 $20. Might have to wait awhile to find that good of a deal - Newegg sells them for that price every couple of months.
  -->PSU Option 2: SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze 520W $60. I'd rather pay $20 more for this than pay $40 for the Corsair Builder 430.
  -->PSU Option 3: I could reuse the Seasonic Super Tornado 300 W PSU, but I have 3 concerns. It may not have the right GPU power connectors. This computer was already damaged and it's possible the PSU was part of the problem. It may not have enough power for this system.
• Motherboard - ASUS M4A87T AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s ATX AMD Motherboard $50 - A NEW, UPDATED great deal that will probably expire before I can grab it, but I'm assuming I can find something comparable. I'd like gigabit Ethernet.
• CPU - AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor ADX250OCGMBOX $60 - I'm be looking to hit the $60-$65 price range here. This is the lowest X2 option and there are several upgrades going up to $70. Not sure if it's worth it.
• Memory - Crucial Ballistix sport 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT25664BA160A $20 - I might jump on this deal right away. My other option is to get 8GB and swap it with one of my other computers (both have G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ.
• GPU - Right now I'm planning on using an EVGA 9800 GT 512 MB that I just happen to have lying around.
• Case - Thermaltake V3 Black Edition VL80001W2Z Black SECC / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case$40 right now, but often comes up on special for $30. Leaning towards using my old case and then putting it in the cabinet after I get it up and running without a case.

Total ~$180.

Still not sure about XP or Windows7 for the OS. It looks like XP is heavily recommended on arcade forums, but if this system can handle and Mame Windows7, I would prefer it - 1. full use of the 4MB of RAM 2. full use of the 64 bit processor architecture 3. Windows 7 is nice. Really it doesn't matter - I'm not likely to be outside of the MAME interface once I get it up and running. There are 64 bit MAME versions now, though, I believe.

 

[truepusk]

...and some exciting news to add. I can reuse my Thermalright XP 120 on this new system. 939 and AM3 are compatible:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1469245

 

[mfenn]

Your build looks fine to me. I wouldn't worry about Bulldozer compatibility because, let's get real here: this is a MAME machine. It doesn't need that much horsepower.

 

[Ancalagon44]

Yeah that build looks fine. I would probably still want better BD compatibility, but yeah I suppose it helps keeping the budget as low as possible.

I dont know if American AMD processors will be different, but the budget AMD processors that I've bought in the past have all come with the cheapest and loudest stock cooler I have ever seen. It was a block of aluminum with a small fan on it. I would heartily recommend even a cheap aftermarket cooler like an Arctic Cooling Freezer. It will make a world of difference to sound levels.

 

[truepusk]

Pulled the triggerPrices shown include MIR.

• PSU - Corsair Builder 430 $27 after $20MIR. may not have enough power for this system.
• Motherboard - ASUS M4A87T AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s ATX AMD Motherboard $50 (after $15 MIR) - This actually looks like a nicer motherboard than I need at a very good price.
• CPU - AMD Athlon II X2 265 Regor 3.3GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor ADX265OCGMBOX $66 - I decided on the 3.3GHz. I suspect the MAME, like most games, will benefit more from the extra clock freq more so than a third core, especially on a MAME. My price is $3 cheaper because I found the Athlon II X2 265 on Superbiiz
• Memory - Crucial Ballistix sport 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT25664BA160A $20 - I might jump on this deal right away. My other option is to get 8GB and swap it with one of my other computers (both have G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ.
• GPU - Right now I'm planning on using an EVGA 9800 GT 512 MB that I just happen to have lying around.
• Case - No case, at least for now (mounting in the cabinet?) Long term I would consider spending $30 on the good and affordible Thermaltake V3 Black Edition VL80001W2Z Black SECC / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, assuming I can find that frequent deal.
• HSF - I'll have the stock as an option, but probably will go with the 120mm Thermalright 120 XP I have left from my Athlon XP 3200+ (socket 939). I have some quiet 120mm scyths as well.

Total ~$163 after MIR (no case, reused GPU, reused HDD, after $35 in MIR).

Still not sure about the OS. ;-P Leaning towards Windows7 so I can use the memory, 64bit power, and cores to their full extent.

 

[mfenn]

Looks good to me! I completely agree that MAME loves raw clock speed over anything else. A fully-turboed i5 2500K would be great, but a 3.3GHz Athlon isn't too shabby for the price. 😉