Retro arcade build

squidge4 · 28 Oct 2019 at 20:44

Hi everyone,
I’m out of touch with today’s hardware and have not built a pc since 2011 ( A friend helped me). All the parts where from Overclockers and it’s still going strong, But now only used for the wife’s internet and the kids Homework.
Anyway I’m looking to build or buy something to play arcade/retro games on over Xmas and the Winter. With an option to put the hardware into a gaming cabinet next year. Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks

Kurgen · 29 Oct 2019 at 12:32

depends how retro, if your talking golden axe, pacman, double dragon retro. probably get a second hand socket 775 motherboard £15 a core2quad cpu £10 and 4gb ram, £10 £20 120gb ssd, might not need a GPU, and a basic PSU

Ravenger · 29 Oct 2019 at 13:28

My arcade cabinet at home runs on an old Q8400, and the previous processor was a Q6600. Both have no issues running Mame and most of the old arcade games.

The biggest issue is the OS. My cab runs on XP, as it's easy to 'skin' to remove all the Windows branding and boot straight into an Arcade UI.

Windows 7 is apparently harder to make 'seamless' though it is possible.

Linux is also an option, but I've not explored that as the custom user interface I use only works on Windows.

squidge4 · 29 Oct 2019 at 19:35

Thanks for the reply’s.
Was thinking if possible running games from the 70s right up to PS3. Question is what type of build would I need and is Intel the best way to go?

Kurgen · 30 Oct 2019 at 08:53

check out the PS3 emulator https://github.com/RPCS3/rpcs3/wiki/FAQ probably will need a more high end system, never tried it and unlikley too as i got a PC to play PC games.

I would still be using 2nd hand parts though.

squidge4 · 30 Oct 2019 at 17:06

Thanks for the info Kurgen. I will take a look

morbid42 · 31 Oct 2019 at 17:15

I have htpc i5-8400 with chinese lp 1050ti that plays all games up to ps2 (not tried ps3), wii, wii u etc. Also good for plenty of 3d games even recent ones. I use an 5 yt old tv that doesnt have 4k so have great frame rates. I use launchbox/bigbox

Its requires setup and tweaking (a lot), i would suggest a nvidia shield as an alternative, or rk3399 boards. You could also go zen 2400g for v small htpc

squidge4 · 31 Oct 2019 at 20:49

morbid42 said:
I have htpc i5-8400 with chinese lp 1050ti that plays all games up to ps2 (not tried ps3), wii, wii u etc. Also good for plenty of 3d games even recent ones. I use an 5 yt old tv that doesnt have 4k so have great frame rates. I use launchbox/bigbox

Its requires setup and tweaking (a lot), i would suggest a nvidia shield as an alternative, or rk3399 boards. You could also go zen 2400g for v small htpc

Thanks for the info, Was wondering if I ought to get a intel or AMD setup?

morbid42 · 1 Nov 2019 at 07:38

squidge4 said:
Thanks for the info, Was wondering if I ought to get a intel or AMD setup?

I just picked 8400 because of reviews at the time (18months ago). Not up to date with recent tech but if not concerned with recent titles or ps2 etc id probabpy get ryzen 2400g or upgraded model, just for compactability.