New PC question

[bkenobi]

There was a topic about this a while back, but I couldn't find it. Anyway, I'm perplexed trying to decide the which way to go here. I'm hoping a for a little discussion on hardware so I can get some feedback and different opinions.

To start with, my primary pc is running an Athlon XP 3200+ with 1.5Gb of memory. I am building a new driving cab that currently has no pc yet. I am trying to decide whether I should buy a new MB, CPU, RAM and maybe video card for the cab, or take the oportunity to upgrade my main system.

The cost of AMD cpu's is dropping as of today and Intel should drop on 4/22. I think a 3000+ AMD or 3.0GHz Intel would work just fine for pretty much everything I need, so I could just take what I have and throw it in the new cab. Then upgrade to ~4600+ X2 AM2 chip, MB, ram. But, the cost of the components isn't the only driving factor...

Since the cab will only be on when I am using it (a few hours a week) and the main pc will be on 24/7, power consumption of the newer cpu's is a concern. The Athlon runs at up to 65watts, but I don't know what the 3200+ I have currently uses, so I don't really have a comparison. Of course, the new CPU's can clock down more effectively. I haven't really played a game on my main pc for quite some time, so it really doesn't need an upgrade, but buying old technology seems wrong when I could use the oportunity to upgrade!

Also, I have a few video cards laying around, but I think any current onboard card would be superior to them. What level of card is TRUELY required for GameEx (and emulated or pc driving games) to run properly? I've used a GeForce TI200 and it was a bit choppy. I've used a dieing Radeon 9250 that seemed to work when it wasn't freezing up. I currently use a Radeon X1300pro and it works fine.

Anyway, thanks in advance!

[Nologic]

Unless you plan to run the PS2 emu on the cab...the Athlon XP will more than good enough.

watts are the same between the two cpu's if I recall correctly.

Onboard video quality varies...I have yet to really seriously toy with my HTPC so I can't say whether its good or bad and its got the GeForce 6150 onboard...just know it'll never run the PS2 emu ever.

[bkenobi]

I wouldn't expect anything built today to be able to playably emulate the PS2 system. I am actually surprised that the DC is emulated at a playable level (is it?). I am leaning more toward PC ports for arcade drivers for this cab anyway, so anything more recent than say N64 or maybe Playstation isn't really a concern.

[Nologic]

Actually my primary system emulates the PS2 fine in general...mostly growing pains of the Emu.

Believe it or not the DC is running rather fast on some fairly old systems (old in computer terms 3-5 years+ old)

[bkenobi]

Interesting. So if I wanted to, my 3000+ might run it ok? It doesn't really matter since I have my dreamcast hooked up in the same room anyway, but that's still pretty cool!

[slipstream19]

if your going to have the system as an HTPC and would like to play HDdvd and Blueray material or HD divex files, you really gonna need a fast processor.

if only for gameex and nes -> PSX games and most mame games. you dont need much more than a 2.5GHZ single core donut.

[Will]

I use a Althon 64 3400 with 1 gig of RAM and onboard Geforce 6100 and things run beautifully. I'd upgrade your main system and use the old for the cabinet. I don't use DC or PS2 in mine though.

[bkenobi]

Especially with the drop in price of the AMD chips this week, I am definitely upgrading the main system. I just have to decide if I want to drop the money for a PCI-E video card or if a 6150 is good enough (for instance).