PC for MAME/Doujin Shmups?

[Thjodbjorn]

Given the amount of nonsense problems I am having trying to run Crimzon Clover in OSX (I do have a bootcamp partition, though), I'm thinking I'd like to have a dedicated PC hooked up to my television for games like this, and MAME.

I imagine I don't need something too powerful to do well with that, right? Would a core 2 duo and integrated gfx card suffice? Best Buy has some i3/i5's that I could probably afford, but also with an integrated gfx card. I don't know how important a discreet one is or would be for this kind of thing.

It would be nice to be able to run some games from Steam, too. Maybe a L4D or something like that.

Thanks.

[Fudoh]

Nowadays you're gaining more by adding a better graphics card than a faster processor. Integrated graphics can mean a lot, ranging form barely useable (Intel) to quite ok (Nividia).

Crimzon Clover for example runs fine on a Ion-equipped nettop (Dual Core Atom plus onboard Nvidia graphics) and so do 95% of all other doujin games and retail Windows Shoot'em ups (e.g. Shikigami III). For "western" games you need something faster. Anyway, before going for a i5 instead of a C2D, get the cheaper system and add a $70 graphics card.

[Thjodbjorn]

I've never upgraded a computer before... I assume adding a graphics card would be pretty easy? I have an Nvidia geforce 9600 in my Macbook, and that seems to do okay... and it seems to be cheap also.

And would ones with an HDMI out be pretty affordable also? (or if there's an HDMI out on the integrated card, would I still be able to use that out?)

EDIT: so it might be a good idea to just get a cheaper system even with an integrated card (the ones at BB I was looking at were all intel gfx), with the idea of upgrading at the cost of $100 or so when/if my gaming "needs" required it?

[Fudoh]

Judging from your needs - definitely. Just see if the integrated graphics are good enough and if not you can still upgrade. A Nvidia GT220 with HDMI sets you back approx. $65 and that would be good enough.

Just make sure the systems have a PCIe 16x slot available for adding a graphics card.

[Thjodbjorn]

Cool... thanks a TON for your input. I will keep that PCI 16x in mind for sure. It's a relief, because I'm seeing a bunch of $300+ video cards, which is intimidating.

Says the man who is awaiting delivery on a Hori VLX...