AndyBak Posted July 8, 2014 Posted July 8, 2014 Looking to build another cabinet and at the point where I need to source the computer (so far I have setup/configured everything on a VM on my main machine). The machine will be running MAME, many of the older consoles (e.g. Megadrive, SNES), and probably the most demanding being Dolphin for Gamecube/Wii. Already have the drives (SSD for O/S, standard SATA for roms/media). Any recommendations on a cpu, motherboard, memory, and PSU (and GPU if onboard would not be sufficient)? Ideally nothing too expensive bank breaking but can stretch if really needed. Thanks in advance.
marxkemp Posted July 8, 2014 Posted July 8, 2014 I made a list a while back for those who keep asking me for advice where to start with Dolphin Mobo: Gigabyte GA-Z87-HD3 - $90 CPU: Intel Core i5 4670K (Boxed, Socket 1150, 3,4GHz) - $200 Cooler: Scythe Mugen 4 PCGH Edition - $35 Mem: Crucial Ballistix Tactical BLT2C4G3D1608ET3LX0CEU (8GB Dual Channel DDR3-kit @ PC3-12800) - $60 GPU: MSI GeForce GTX 760 Gaming (1,085GHz 2GB GDDR5) - $200 HDD: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB SSD (SATA-600) - $70 PSU: Cooler Master VS V550S - $75
dark13 Posted July 8, 2014 Posted July 8, 2014 Yeah, a 4670k, an overclockable mobo (z87-z97) and a GOOD heatsink is what you really need for dolphin and pcsx2. GTX760 is maybe a little overpowered for emulation but it's a really good bang for bucks regarding windows gaming at 1080p Automatizing infopanels creation from .csv files for HTPCs themes (look at infopanel tutorial.zip on the ftp in dark13 folder) PNGs to SWFs automatized flash scripts Hyperspin Wheelset automatized template (photoshop's variables + batch) Aeon nox 4.13 W.I.P. hyperspin skin
AndyBak Posted July 9, 2014 Author Posted July 9, 2014 No requirement for pcsx2 but I may have to consider removing Wii/GameCube from scope as the above spec is a little too pricey. Used to use dolphin a few years back on an older 4core system without issue so was expecting to be able to use a cheaper CPU these days.
SIMPLYAUSTIN Posted July 9, 2014 Posted July 9, 2014 I picked up a older i5 and overclocked it to 4.2ghz second hand off eBay a while back for a friends rig. Cost me 30 UK pounds and that was with the mobo! I then teamed it with a 570 I got for 50 UK pounds. That thing ran anything I threw at it Simply Austin's YouTube
AndyBak Posted July 9, 2014 Author Posted July 9, 2014 See that's the sort of price bracket I want to hear. Will look at the second hand options.
urbangangsta101 Posted July 9, 2014 Posted July 9, 2014 There is a new unlocked K-Series CPU called the Intel G3258 (Pentium Anniversary Edition) that has just been released, it can be overclocked to over 4GHz (some say 4.6GHz) it's only Dual Core (not a problem for Emulation as only 2 cores are needed) and it's around the £50 mark. I have ordered one but it's taking forever to arrive! (that will teach me to use free delivery options! lol) so i cannot comment on it's performance, but reading online it appears that it's very impressive for emulation and pretty much the same emulation performance as a 4770K at the same speed. I will be posting some results when i finally get mine!
Silverback Posted July 9, 2014 Posted July 9, 2014 There is a new unlocked K-Series CPU called the Intel G3258 (Pentium Anniversary Edition) that has just been released, it can be overclocked to over 4GHz (some say 4.6GHz) it's only Dual Core (not a problem for Emulation as only 2 cores are needed) and it's around the £50 mark.I have ordered one but it's taking forever to arrive! (that will teach me to use free delivery options! lol) so i cannot comment on it's performance, but reading online it appears that it's very impressive for emulation and pretty much the same emulation performance as a 4770K at the same speed. I will be posting some results when i finally get mine! Just posted on your other post regarding this processor. Just found it for £41.99 on Aria.co.uk http://www.aria.co.uk/SuperSpecials/Other+products/Intel+Pentium+K+Anniversary+G3258+Socket+LGA1150+Processor+?productId=61067 Keep us posted
AndyBak Posted July 9, 2014 Author Posted July 9, 2014 That G3258 does indeed look promising, any recommendations on a suitable motherboard for pairing it with?
urbangangsta101 Posted July 10, 2014 Posted July 10, 2014 My G3258 has finally arrived! Will be testing tonight... Ive gone for a MSI B85I GAMING motherboard (M-ITX due to my case) but i'm not 100% sure it's going to be suitable - some say that the Overclocking options have been nuked, where others say that K series unlocked processors can have thier multipliers increased. Plus it says Overclocking all over the box..... EDIT: Avoid B85 chipset motherboards, some apparently do allow for overclocking, but the B85I GAMING does not! Go for a Z97 chipset, its a bit more cash but would allow for overclocking. Having to return my B85 board as it's not able to increase the multiplier, should have a Z97 in the next few days...
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