Advice/thoughts/suggestions on building a CHEAP gamebox

[noiseredux]

Depending on the case you like, you are looking at $500ish to get what you want. A couple of the emulators are very CPU intensive - 3do, CDi, and PS2, and need more than what you can get in the sub $300 range. I can easily price out a system that would run up to Saturn/PSX/N64 mostly fine for $350ish.

Now this is all without factoring in the OS. If you need to, that adds 100-130 to the price for Windows 8 or 7.

really, huh? That's actually more than I'd have expected.

I do not know of a modern card that will output Composite, so you will have to use a composite scan converter. Granted those are only $20 for a good one. Or $40ish for a component scan converter.

What exactly is a component scan converter? (Link?)

[fastbilly1]

I do not know of a modern card that will output Composite, so you will have to use a composite scan converter. Granted those are only $20 for a good one. Or $40ish for a component scan converter.

What exactly is a component scan converter? (Link?)

BOOM SHACKALAKA
http://www.monoprice.com/Product/?c_id=101&cp_id=10114

Scan Converter simply takes a signals vertical & horizontal scan frequency and changes it to another. So it takes its scan and converts it...

[noiseredux]

fast, maybe I'm looking at the wrong thing. But this seems to do the opposite of the goal here:

This Component Video + S/PDIF audio to HDMI® converter combines your analog high def and/or progressive scan Y, Pb, Pr (Component) video signals with an S/PDIF Digital Coax or Digital Optical Toslink Audio from your source devices and outputs them in HDMI® format.

[fastbilly1]

fast, maybe I'm looking at the wrong thing. But this seems to do the opposite of the goal here:

This Component Video + S/PDIF audio to HDMI® converter combines your analog high def and/or progressive scan Y, Pb, Pr (Component) video signals with an S/PDIF Digital Coax or Digital Optical Toslink Audio from your source devices and outputs them in HDMI® format.

Stupid hotlinks, try this one:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 7AodUnYAtA

Monoprice item #8668

[fastbilly1]

Actually, you could go to Best Buy/Cowboom, or Ebay, and buy an old Dell Optiplex and just get a gpu that will fit (mini PCIe). That still wont fix your post 32/64 bit era issue, but it would come in at $250-300.

[noiseredux]

Actually, you could go to Best Buy/Cowboom, or Ebay, and buy an old Dell Optiplex and just get a gpu that will fit (mini PCIe). That still wont fix your post 32/64 bit era issue, but it would come in at $250-300.

can you elaborate on this a bit? I think what you're saying is that the Optiplex is "an old" computer, but you think still powerful enough to run what I'm looking for? And would be able to handle a mini PCIe card that would output to component?

[isiolia]

can you elaborate on this a bit? I think what you're saying is that the Optiplex is "an old" computer, but you think still powerful enough to run what I'm looking for? And would be able to handle a mini PCIe card that would output to component?

Optiplex is their standard business machine line, so it'd really vary - but that type of machine isn't too hard to find off-lease/refurb for under $200. Some of the smaller form factors they can come in would likely work for the general size you want, and most business machines are quiet.

For example, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6883265547 would be something to tinker with.


If you're looking at actually building, or a modern machine, then I think it gets harder. I mean, you can go cheap with Mini-ITX integrated stuff like an E350 or whatnot. But, an i3 isn't much more...and if you're buying a nice case, etc then it makes more sense in my mind.

[noiseredux]

ok, yeah that's sort of what my line of thought had been as well. Something like that seems pretty rational. I don't need a huge HDD or anything either. And yeah, it's pretty built to start and then just need to customize a few components.

This is mostly brainstorming though right now. Probably a back-burner project for a bit.

[jinx]

Depending on the case you like, you are looking at $500ish to get what you want. A couple of the emulators are very CPU intensive - 3do, CDi, and PS2, and need more than what you can get in the sub $300 range. I can easily price out a system that would run up to Saturn/PSX/N64 mostly fine for $350ish.

Now this is all without factoring in the OS. If you need to, that adds 100-130 to the price for Windows 8 or 7.

really, huh? That's actually more than I'd have expected.

Sent the PM before reading this thread. Guess you're not going to like my advice either

I've been in the same boat. Trying to build a mini-ITX system that can handle emulation. I keep coming out between $300-$500 and just can't seem to get it under that point. The best I've been able to find is a Nettop for $200 that can handle up-to and maybe including n64 emulation. Bleh...

[noiseredux]

I've been in the same boat. Trying to build a mini-ITX system that can handle emulation. I keep coming out between $300-$500 and just can't seem to get it under that point. The best I've been able to find is a Nettop for $200 that can handle up-to and maybe including n64 emulation. Bleh...

Yeah I definitely want this to cover post-N64 stuff.

I guess the thing is I can justify the $300-$500, but just not all at once. I don't want to just plunk down $300-$500. If that's the price range, then fine, but then I'd rather buy in pieces as I have spare $ and time to put into the project.

In your PM you mentioned Linux - I'm guessing Linux is no good for more obscure emulators though (3DO, CD-i, etc)?

@Fast: just to confirm, the reason that you had mentioned that Dell Optiplex is because buying a smaller case (like: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811154091 ) would not have the capability of installing a GPU with component out?