HTPC / SHMUPmachine tech specs, comments please

[BobbyNewmarkiii]

I'm looking to put a PC underneath a 42" flatscreen tv. Intended purpose is to act as a media centre and SHMUP machine for MAME and retail / doujin SHMUPs. 

Been looking at this HTPChttp://www.arbico.co.uk/Arbico-Core-i32 ... ge-p-.html, or this SFFhttp://www.arbico.co.uk/Arbico-Quiet-i5 ... PC-p-.html.

I'm worried that the HTPC doesn't seem to have a graphics card, and whether it might not therefore have the horsepower for the MAME / doujin stuff. I'm not worried about 'to close for comfort' stuff, but what do you recon. Will it handle Crimson Clover?

SFF has the GFX, but will need work  to add HTPC functionality. How easy is this to do nowadays? 

I've not had a new PC since... 2001-ish, and am currently hobbling along on a 2nd hand laptop from 2002, so well out of the loop on PC stuff.

Any comments welcome. Thanks

[Fudoh]

As far as processing power goes, this one (=mine) handles Crimzon Clover just fine:
http://www.ebuyer.com/340880-asus-eeebo ... m=products

Both of your choices seem kinda expensive for what you're planing to do with them.

[BuckoA51]

You might want to see this thread too http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=39822

[Stealthlurker]

I would vote for the power solution. You may want to start with shmup emulation for MAME/older consoles/etc etc... but later on you might think that it would be nice to run more power hungry applications like:

1) PS2 emu - Gradius V in 1080p HD with AA is gorgeous
2) Wii emu - The Dolphin emulator for Wii/Gamecube makes the games look stunning in HD. Wii Deadspace in HD looks like a ps3/360 game. Also the gun games in HD are quite fun.
3) Dreamcast shmup emulation in HD
4) PC games with a wireless xbox 360 controller

All that with movies/tv, web browsing, etc makes it a complete digital entertainment box on your big screen.

.

[BobbyNewmarkiii]

Thanks all. Can't believe I missed that recent thread. Good point about wanting more power in time.

[Nasirosuchus]

I would vote for the power solution. You may want to start with shmup emulation for MAME/older consoles/etc etc... but later on you might think that it would be nice to run more power hungry applications like:

1) PS2 emu - Gradius V in 1080p HD with AA is gorgeous
2) Wii emu - The Dolphin emulator for Wii/Gamecube makes the games look stunning in HD. Wii Deadspace in HD looks like a ps3/360 game. Also the gun games in HD are quite fun.
3) Dreamcast shmup emulation in HD
4) PC games with a wireless xbox 360 controller

All that with movies/tv, web browsing, etc makes it a complete digital entertainment box on your big screen.

.

Only the first two really need a discrete video card. Onboard video, a processor at about 2.8GHZ, and 4GB of ram is more than enough for Dreamcast emulation and PC shmups.

[Stealthlurker]

I would vote for the power solution. You may want to start with shmup emulation for MAME/older consoles/etc etc... but later on you might think that it would be nice to run more power hungry applications like:

1) PS2 emu - Gradius V in 1080p HD with AA is gorgeous
2) Wii emu - The Dolphin emulator for Wii/Gamecube makes the games look stunning in HD. Wii Deadspace in HD looks like a ps3/360 game. Also the gun games in HD are quite fun.
3) Dreamcast shmup emulation in HD
4) PC games with a wireless xbox 360 controller

All that with movies/tv, web browsing, etc makes it a complete digital entertainment box on your big screen.

.

Only the first two really need a discrete video card. Onboard video, a processor at about 2.8GHZ, and 4GB of ram is more than enough for Dreamcast emulation and PC shmups.

Yeah you're definitely right but, for #4 I was thinking about native PC games that are either exclusive or cross platform, not just simple doujin-esque shmup games. Maybe SFIV, StarCraft2, some FPS game, racing game, etc for PC.

Yeah I know he's talking about a shmup htpc machine, but maybe down the road as he uses this PC on a TV more he might want to push it a little further.

.

[gct]

Of those two choices I would say the SFF is more versatile. By adding HTPC functionality, do you just mean like a television remote control?

When navigating a PC, I can't think of any situation where I would want to use a remote control instead of a proper pointing device and keyboard. So, I would suggest getting a slim wireless keyboard that has a trackball or trackpad built-in, such as some models from Enermax and Azio.

The SFF you listed though, is expensive for what you get and I recommend building from scratch. I am a fan of ITX, so I recommend setting up a Zotac Z68ITX Supreme (includes Nvidia GT430), or alternatively a regular Zotac Z68ITX or H67ITX plus a Zotac GTS 450 Eco. I am using an Apex MI-008 case which is very compact and inexpensive, but the Silverstone Sugo ITX cases will give you more headroom for high power and heat exhaust which you might want later. You can probably build around these mobo+case with better components and still come out cheaper than the Arbico.