Planning to do a bartop... looking for feedback

[BladeZX]

I am planning on doing a bartop but am looking for ideas on what I should use in way of computer, case, monitor, etc

I would like to do a single player bartop and am looking to put in an Intel processor so I can run most emulators on it. I am wondering about what size of led monitor to use in it and would it be mounted landscape or portrait.

I am trying to find a good case (myopenpc case or other) that would work good for a bartop

I appreciate any feedback and specs people are using in their bartops

Thanks

[njgsx96]

So I do not have anything done yet, but I am planning on doing the same, a 1 player bartop. I am only interested in MAME and some older consoles (i.e. NES/Genesis era) so my specs are going to be different from yours but I have already built the PC and am running a Dell GX520 as my PC - Intel PentiumD 4, 3.0Ghz, 4 GB Ram and Windows 7 64-bit. I have it pulled from the case and plan to mount it on the back panel and have it swing out in case of service. This is good enough for what I need but if you want to run more current consoles, I would suggest at a minimum the Core 2 Duo but if you can swing an i3 or i5, I would recommend that. I would also recommend an NVidia graphics card, the more current the better if you plan to run current consoles or PC games.

I am going to use a 17" 4:3 LCD monitor but a 19" would be fine as well. All personal preference at that point and also depends upon how big you want this to be. I am looking to make it table top/desktop top so I want it smaller so it can fit most places easily.

A lot of it is personal preference and depends upon your application and where it will go.

[BladeZX]

The more I see bartops on here, the more I think I may go for a 2 player one.

I really like the looks of the retrocade style bartop. Very nice indeed.

What kits are available? There is no way I am building the wood for it. That would be funny to watch.

Are 4:3 LCD or LED monitors hard to come by now?

[njgsx96]

LCD monitor are all over the place. I am lucky enough that work is doing a purge of anything old so I scored a bunch of 17 and 19" LCDs as well as the PCs. But people are always getting rid of them on eBay or Craiglist and such.

A 2 player bartop is nice but will you use that second player often? The bartop I am building for myself so it is just a 1 player. I can always plug a controller in on the off chance anyone wants to join in. Like I said, personal preference.

[BladeZX]

I just did a search and I did find a few of them.

Where can I buy a 2 player bartop kit like the retrocade one?

I am planning on some Mortal Kombat artwork instead of space invaders.

I like the layout of the retrocade for buttons. I would also want a pinball button on the side of the control panel.

Thanks

[BladeZX]

I usually use Intel i5 in my cabinets but I am seriously thinking that I will go with the AMD A10-6800k or A10-7850K for my bartop.

Anyone using either of them?

[BladeZX]

I am planning to run dolphin and ps2 games but not PC games on it.

Would you go with the A10-6800K or the core i5 4670k?

Would you use an extra GPU? I know the A10-6800K has very good integrated GPU.

[Drnick]

i54670k and a separate gpu would be the way I would go. Tippers does a 2 player bartop kit. Also there are a number of builders that supply kits over on BYOAC. Most are stateside and should ship to canada.

[lovemaker72]

I'm using an i5-4570. Runs everything I throw at it! PS2, WII, GC.

[Duglim]

I suggest going for the 2 player cabinet. When you have your first birthday party or barbecue gathering at your home, you'll see the difference, even if its just once a year. Just load up Bubble Bobble in Mame and even the non-gamers will ask you where to buy a cab. Then put on you best smile on and tell them, "it's unique, you only can build it youself." :D

[BladeZX]

I think I am going to go with the i5 3570K processor

Any recommendations on a nvidia card to go with it?

[monkeychunkuk]

I I strongly agree on the two player setup first time someone see it's they will won't play with you, can you imagine not being able to play bubble bobble with two of you

My two player bartops

[BladeZX]

monkeychunkuk,

Those look awesome. I am excited

[ebarlow99]

too many people with that design

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,133905.0.html

this guy is in CA....prob cheaper shipping than US

[monkeychunkuk]

too many people with that design

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,133905.0.html

this guy is in CA....prob cheaper shipping than US

Funny enough I was cutting a new style

[ebarlow99]

now your talkin!!

[monkeychunkuk]

Cool

[trublu289]

I have a itx with a amd. Apu gpu + cpu runs pretty well haven't pushed it to see what it can really do or if I will need to use a graphics card.

Sent from my LG-P769 using Tapatalk 2

[BladeZX]

What is the best way to open the control panel on my bartop so I can easily access the underneath of it?

[rascaluk]

I'm in the middle of one too and suddenly thought on last night once it is finished it's going to be annoying to get back inside!

I need to think it through more.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[mikekim]

What is the best way to open the control panel on my bartop so I can easily access the underneath of it?

Easy,

Make sure the base of the cab is not the full length. Leave a 100mm gap at the front, this will allow you to switch 4/8 way and gain access to the wiring if you have any problems.. also helps with ventilation.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk

[BladeZX]

Just installed a GTX 660 in my computer for the bartop.

Wow what a difference

http://www.asus.com/Graphics_Cards/GTX660DC2O2GD5/

Highly recommended

[momentarydogma]

The more I see bartops on here, the more I think I may go for a 2 player one.

I really like the looks of the retrocade style bartop. Very nice indeed. Are 4:3 LCD or LED monitors hard to come by now?

The best place to find cheap 4:3 LCDs is your local thrift shop. I bought two of them for builds for $10 each at the one in my neighborhood. Doesn't seem to be any shortage of them there at all. As for the size, it's all personal preference of course-- Seems like most people use 19" LCDs, which is definitely what I would do for a two-player set up. However, if you want to build a one-player machine that's aesthetically more the same scale as a full-sized machine, you should go with a 15" monitor (assuming you care about that). Anything bigger than that and the machine gets a lot wider. This is of course assuming you care whether or not it looks a certain way.

[BladeZX]

Has anyone used these USB speakers for their bartop?

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Frisby-USB-Mini-2-0-Stereo-Computer-PC-Laptop-Notebook-Desktop-Portable-Speaker-/131004422913?pt=US_Computer_Speakers&hash=item1e8078db01&_uhb=1

Thanks

[richie_jones]

Depends on what level of volume you want out your machine..wont be much from those..