Posted by Rex Rogers on 15, 2000 at 11:08 PM:
In Reply to: Update : ideas converting cocktail to MAME machine posted by Bernard on 15, 2000 at 10:08 PM:
What's the minimum required computer needed to run most of these classics (with NO slow-down). Can I get by with a 486? What's the minimum? Of course I would'nt be touching Windows, I'll run it all in DOS, that's fine.
I've got mame loaded on a 486/66 and running in DOS. While ms. pacman is very playable, it DEFINATLY shows some slowdown. On a Pentium 133 running in DOS I havn't had any trouble at all with any of the classic games (DK's, PM's, Galaga, ect.) I can't say anything for a P90 CPU. I'd bet that a P133 is about the lowest you'd want to go. I'll probably end up dropping a P166 that I've got in place of the P133 just 'cause I've got it lying around. I see whole P133 systems (w/o monitor) for sale for $100-$150 quite a bit. I put mine together with leftover parts from work. It's only got a small 200MB hard drive. But really, you don't need much if your doing DOS and Arcade OS. So ask around and see if you can scramble up parts or an old computer from friends. No need to get carried away if your just gonna do the classic games. You can always upgrade if you want one of the ones that's got enough of every controller ever made for 4 players and will play every game under the sun better than when it was a real arcade game.