Low Profile Emulator/Media Box

[Haplo699g]

Hi Guys,

I've decided to build my Dad a micro ATX form factor PC for him to slip into his entertainment unit primarily as an emulation machine for the festive season. It would need to be capable of emulating PS2 and earlier (he has a whole bunch of PS2 games he can't play right now) so low power, low size and with a 5 1/4" drive bay.

I'm thinking a Ryzen with APU, A320M motherboard, and case similar to X-Box One size. Problem being I haven't touched AMD since I bought a Phenom 2 which refused to run about 30% of my games and finding a case of that size with a 5 1/4" bay for cheapish is proving problematic!

I know Ryzen processors like their memory (especially if an APU is going to reserve some) but considering the low power work I want the system to do will the 4gb of Corsair LPX DDR4 3000, that I have knocking around in my drawer be enough?

Looking for advice or part suggestions to make a crotchety old man happier (at least for a little while) this Christmas! LOL

Thanks to all,
Hap.

 

[Haplo699g]

Thanks for all the responses guys, really, all helpful and all mention things I hadn't considered!

In terms of wanting to keep the optical drive, he has about eighty PS2 games, I'd rather not rip them all or fuss about sourcing them for download, also asking to borrow his entire PS2 collection might be somewhat of a red flag! LOL

I agree the PCSX2 is a fantastic emulator and I use it on my own desktop but I've never seen the memory go that high, it usually takes about 4.5gb RAM and 1gb VRAM? Of course I've no idea how a APU would use the memory, whether it would be reactive or if it just glomps a set amount.

The processor I was looking at was the 2200g but by the sounds of it I'll need to look more at the 3200g or higher. Trying to get my head around AMD model numbers after being an Intel boy for years is a nightmare!

I did have a look at the ASUS PN50, it's a pretty sweet bit of kit but lacks the support for optical, plus it's so dang small he'll probably end up losing it!

The best case option I've been able to find so far is the Silverstone ML03 which is about the right size, has the optical bay and even fits an ATX power supply.

Cheers,
Hap.