Decent MAME machine? Compaq P4 2.0GHZ Slim PC + Windows XP with COA - $71 shipped

[Capitalizt]

Yes I know this isn't a state of the art system, but you aren't paying for one are you? Just a nice small form factor PC with a legal copy of Windows XP.

This seems like it should make a decent little MAME machine for emulating old school 80s and 90s 2D arcade games (+SNES, NES stuff if you prefer). ;)


Link! (http://slickdeals.net/?sdtid=1449617&u2=http://www.pacificgeek.com/product.asp?id=847625)

Use code DEALNEWSFIVE5 for a $3.50 discount and flat $5 shipping (regularly $20-25). Final cost = $71.50 and no tax.

*Remember to add "bonus item" Windows XP with COA for $0.00 on the product page to make sure it's included!*


Features/Specifications:

* Compaq EVO D51S Pentium 4 2.0 GHz SFF Desktop System

* General Features:
* Microsoft Windows XP pre-installed w/COA
* Intel Pentium 4 2.0 GHz 400FSB 512k Cache Processor
* 256 MB DDR RAM Expandable to 3GB
* 20 GB hard drive Upgrade to
* CD-ROM drive Upgrade to
* nVidia Vanta 16MB AGP graphics card
* Integrated audio
* Integrated 10/100 Ethernet

* Motherboard Features:
* Two (2) PCI slots on Riser Card
* One (1) AGP Low Profile
* Three (3) PC133 168-Pin DIMM sockets
* Two (2) USB ports
* One (1) RJ-45 Ethernet port
* Mic in
* Line in
* Line out

* Case Features:
* One (1) 5.25-inch external drive bays
* One (1) 3.5-inch external drive bay
* One (1) 3.5-inch internal drive bays

[Showstoppa42]

Personally, the 16MB video card is a deal-breaker. Even your MAME roms will have a problem with that. You can upgrade that, but with only an AGP slot for graphics, you'll be very limited. You'll probably fill up the hard drive quickly at only 20GB, and it probably has slower read speeds that will slow down the loading times of your games.

Also, the memory is DDR RAM, not the newer DDR2, so it will be more expensive to upgrade (which you would want to do right away, as XP on 256MB is very slow, even before you run anything on top of it.)

For a small office workstation, this is alright, but for any type of games, even roms, I'd have to pass on this. Take the money you would have spent on this and the upgrades and consider getting something a little more powerful.

[Capitalizt]

hey, the PS1 had a 33mhz processor and just 2MB of ram, and it was easily capable of running most old school Mame games. I don't think a 2ghz P4 + 16MB video card will have any trouble. ;)

[Showstoppa42]

Yes, but they were specifically coded or ported for the PSX platform. When you're running an emulator through windows, all those requirements to run the games smoothly increase respectively.

Just because I'm bored, I noticed a few more things in looking up info on this machine:

1. The info says PC133 168-Pin DIMM sockets. That would mean the computer takes PC133 SDRAM, a slower, even more expensive type of ram than DDR or DDR2. You would probably want to clarify with the seller if this model has 168-pin sockets or 184-pin sockets (DDR.)

2. Not only is the video card an older AGP, but, because of the style of the computer, it's a smaller, low-profile AGP card. They're not exceedingly hard to find, but they can be more expensive than standard sized AGP cards. Also, computers that use this type of video card are more likely to have other propietary components that are difficult and/or expensive to replace.

3. This is not a new system, this is a "Class B" refurbished system. While they state there will probably be cosmetic damage to the outside of the case, I wouldn't be surprised if a component or two inside wasn't working properly, as one usually leads to another in older computers.

4. No refunds on clearance items. Hope everything works okay, or at the very least, you don't have any problems with the warranty (and they love to deny claims, let me tell you from experience.)

$70 bucks for a computer is a good deal, and I can see how anyone would be tempted. But definately take some time to think about it. As a computer technician myself, I've seen a lot of people get burned by "deals" like this. If all you want to do is run NES/SNES roms, then you should be okay with this. But to do anything more than that, would really require more upgrades than what this machine is worth. Considering how cheap barebone systems are now, it might be worth it to consider a system that you could get more use out of.

[Capitalizt]

Well Pacific Geeks lists the model number as D51S in several places including the title. The older D500 line used 133 memory, and they probably got the description mixed up. If you google the official model number "EVO D51s" + memory and you will find several pages recommending DDR266.

Here is the Google search:

http://www.google.com/search?q=EVO+D51s+memory

Practically every page with this model number recommends PC2100 memory for that model = DDR266, so I'm hoping thats what it includes. They have a 90 day return policy if anything goes wrong..but I'm crossing my fingers. ;)

[Showstoppa42]

I see the item has a 90-day warranty, but that's VERY different from being able to return it (which according to their policy, you can't do on clearance merchandise.) You would be able to exchange it for the same model during that period, assuming they have any left in stock, but no refunds. The issue with warranties is that they have to approve it before they send you another (refurbished) model. If something goes wrong, you'd have to send it back to them, and they get to determine if what went wrong falls under their warranty. Since the specifics of the warranty are not exactly spelled out on their website, it's very hard to tell if it will be something that's covered, and, conversely, easy for them to say whatever went wrong is not covered. Also, no mention if they cover shipping in those cases, so that might mean another fee for the customer.

I don't mean to get you worried if you already ordered the computer, I'm mostly just posting in case anybody else is reading and considering a purchase. Just like getting a used car, it's a good idea to check out a used computer (and the seller) in person before you buy it.

Definately post here when you receive it, as I'll be anxious to hear about your experiences! :)

[JolietJake]

I'd love this if it were newer and more powerful, would be a good media PC then.

[Capitalizt]

You could always do a few small upgrades to improve it's capabilities. Another 512MB of ram would work wonders for everything. As for video, I doubt you can run 1080P stuff, but a cheap upgrade would at least let you surf the web in higher resolutions. Here is a budget option for $11 shipped: http://www.nowdirect.com/exec/partInfo/part_detail.tsb?prcpart=MSTMX4000-T64&categoryid=&Ne=556&N=287+4294958293&Ns=Price_Commercial%7c0

That should definitely give better 2D performance than the integrated 16mb card.

[Showstoppa42]

Do keep in mind that this particular computer only accepts "Low Profile" AGP cards, not just any will fit. Newegg has a 128MB Nvidia 5200 Low Profile card for $34.99.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814139165

[Capitalizt]

I've turned plenty of "normal" profile video cards into low profile cards in my day...my greatest victory being a 320mb 8800GTS...lol Don't ask how.. It involved bending and cutting card's bracket and the PCI slot it was sitting in, as well as putting an unnatural amount of force on the mobo by smashing the case down and locking it in..but I somehow managed it in the end. ;)

[xcopy]

That's an expensive doorstop.

[Capitalizt]

lol, clearly there is not much interest so I'm closing the thread. I got mine coming and am gonna pimp it out. First I'll throw in another stick of 512MB ram then update the BIOS, give it a fresh install of XP + service pack 3, then use Xplite to strip it down to a lean mean super fast web surfin and internet music streamin machine. I heard it is possible to get Windows XP down to 100mb which makes it run blazing fast on even older machines. That's the goal anyway. ;)