Building a new PC
 

I am so tired of switching between my XBox, Xbox360, SuperNin, N64, Game Cube, Genisis, Atari 2600, Odyssey2, Jopac, PS1 2 and 3, etc.. etc.. to play games that i am considering building a PC just for the sake of emulating my games.

I figure it'd also be a good time to learn Linux because of how much leaner it sounds to be compared to 'the other guy's OS.

So here is my question:
Would this hardware be a good idea to not only emulate my current games on Linux but to also be set for the next 5 years should i choose to get another console and want to add that to my emulation library? (wow, long question.)


I'm trying to keep it cheap because it would be just my gaming PC. basically my all-in-1 Game console.

(i figure i'll upgrade the DVD to a blue ray later and add in an HD/DVD when the time comes. If i could get the start-off insides for under $200 then i'd be THRILLED. Still didn't select a CPU.)

so how does this look:
Hardware List
----------------------------
NF4K8AB-RS PX6200TC Motherboard / CPU / VGA ComboView Pic
[22]
Foxconn NF4K8AB-RS PX6200TC 754 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX Motherboard/VGA Combo - Retail
CPU Type: Athlon 64/Sempron
FSB: 800MHz Hyper Transport (1600MT/s)
Maximum Memory Supported: 3GB
Memory Standard: DDR 400
Model #: NF4K8AB-RS PX6200TC
Item #: N82E16813186067
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813186067
Motherboard & VGA $27
Linux compatability: success found in a Customers Review section.

Part Number Our Price Qty Order
1GB DDR-400 (PC3200)
System Memory 39015-05
http://www.4allmemory.com/index.cfm?...model_id=-4207
1GB RAM $64.99
Linux Compatibility: ?

Samsung 60GB SV0602H IDE Hard Drive w/ 2MB Buffer (OEM)
Regular: $59.98
http://www.outletpc.com/c7010.html
60GB HD Sale Price: $35.96
Linux Compatability: ?

Vast 9-Pin HDTV to Component / S-Video / Composite Video Adapter
Regular: $19.99
http://www.outletpc.com/c6731.html
VID OUT Sale Price: $9.95

BTC 16x BDV-316G IDE DVD-ROM Drive (BLACK)
Regular: $19.67
http://www.outletpc.com/c1202.html
DVD Now Just: $14.98
Linux Compatability: ?

I would check the video output on the motherboard. It has DVI,VGA, SVHS, and composite, you should not need that extra adapter.

The HD is a 5400rpm (slow) for $43 you have a choice of 80gb 7200rpm dirves on Newegg.

If you go with any cpu socket preceding AM2 you will essentially have no upgrade options (ok, as long as you know that going in). When you look for motherboards and cpus make your selection based on the combined prices. Many of the 754/939 cpus are much more expensive (relatively rare) than the AM2 counterparts.

As long as the memory likes the motherboard Linux will be happy with it.


Do not skimp on a power supply. You pay for cheap power supplies in the long run. Trying to diagnose problems that wind up being the power supply can cost one a lot of hair (there is no real easy way to find these except by replacing the PSU with a good one)(seasonic).

Good Luck
Lazlow

Thanks Lazlow.
I'll look up a CPU time line and find out what comes with & after the AM2 sockets.

HD size doesn't worry me yet because i can allways just CD swap my rom images until i have the $ to upgrade. but the speed is a good point, i'll do some more surfing with those.

I've had PSU problems before on a system (i didn't figure it out until i gutted my whole PC and put everything into a new case) so trust me, Used ram or 2nd' rate PSU isn't an option for me. :D

infact, i want no USED or REFAB parts.

I'll do some more research and maybe post up again when i think i have a winning combo.

BTW, the adaptor is because i'll probrably be moving it from TV to TV. I don't know how picky Linux is but i thought i'd throw that in the post to be on the safe side.

Thanks again.

Not too upgradeable. The 754 socket is no longer manufactured by AMD. For a few dollars more you can get a AM2 or AM2+ mobo with on-board video that will support up to 16GB of DDR2 memory and Athlon64 x2, Athlon64, Athlon FX, and Sempron64 processors. Since you haven't selected a processor yet, head over to NewEgg et. al. and see how many 754 pin AMD processors they have available. I just checked and NewEgg has one 754 pin Sempron 64 for $30. You can pick up an Athlon64 x2 3800+ for $50.

DDR2 memory is the standard today and you can get easily find a 1GB stick for $35. $65 is a lot of money for something outdated IMHO.

I'm partial to Seagate HDD since they began offering 5-year warranties. If you understand how warranty periods are calculated, you know that either Seagate has a lot more disposable cash reserves or they have a reliable product. You can get a Seagate 160GB SATA or PATA drive for $50 at NewEgg not on sale. However, I do have a nine year old Samsung HDD in one of my machines and it's still humming right along.

There's some truth to the "you get what you pay for" in PSUs just like anything else, but I've seen $16,000 power supplies fail after a few weeks and $200 power supplies last 40-years. Good PSUs are not easy to design and manufacture without the right skill set and an experienced engineering staff. Even simple PSUs like those used in PC's. You can find quality PSUs for $30 or $40 with a little homework and you can find $300 or $400 junk with no homework.

I suggest you do a little more research before making your purchases.

Weibullguy, you're right.
There was better bang for the buck out there.

So let's see....
That would be:
Mobo/CPU/Onboard vid = $75

1GB DDR2 667 $44 (buddy buys 1gb from me,) cost to me = $22

80GB SATA Hard Drive = $37

This adaptor for TV output = $6
This adaptor for HDTV output = $3
Adapter Cost = $9

DVD ROM drive = $15

300W power supply with good reviews = $10

Total cost of hardware (before the misc stuff - joysticks, keyboards, etc....) = $168

That's a nice price drop.

The AV/HDTV adaptors are so no matter which buddy's house i go and game at It will be compatable with their TV.
it LOOKS like this hardware will be sufficent to run my emulators.
I'll still have to check the HCL but how's this looking so far?
(remember - all i want this to be able to do is run my emulators from 1970's on up so i can put away alllllll of those consoles i have.)

Btw, i'll probrably be mounting all of this inside an old XBox case or something like that. (after making a few modifications to the case)

The Sempron 3400+ has a 9x multiplier. To take full advantage of DDR2 memory, you need an AMD processor with an even multiplier.

For $10 more you can get this mobo --> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138052
and this processor --> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103196

The mobo supports up to 2GB of DDR2 800MHz RAM (you can still use 667MHz), has on-board nVidia graphics, and would allow you to use an Athlon64 x2 processor in the future if you ever wanted. You know, just in case you ever decided to use it as a desktop mobo or something. That's just one example and I didn't do any research as I would highly recommend you do. There are probably many other combinations that fit your budget and provide more than think you need.

The power supply is a little small if you think you'll ever add hardware. I would be looking for a 450W minimum just for some headroom.

Yes I agree that you should spend a little more to get better cpu and mobo, and you can save money on some other parts,say you can get the HP PX976AT DDR2-667 1GB PC2-5300 desktop memory

First time I've ever heard of someone wanting an all-in-one Game console with a PC running Linux... Are you sure your games will run on this ?