x64 MAME Cabinet - a new project :-D

Hi, and welcome to my latest pet project....a 64bit M.A.M.E. arcade cabinet

I'm not new to the M.A.M.E. scene, but have been rather dormant in recent times.

Way back in 2001 I documented how to build & configure a MS-DOS based M.A.M.E. setup using an old arcade machine, a PC and of course M.A.M.E.

So if MS-DOS is your bag, check out my old DOSMAME site - http://dosmame.mameworld.info


For those who've never heard of M.A.M.E., have a look on the M.A.M.E. site - http://www.mamedev.org/
For even more great M.A.M.E. goodness, check out Mameworld - http://mameworld.info/



Since DOSMAME was born, life has moved on and I got rid of my arcade machine due to various 'life' reasons and a lack of space.

Now we have a basement *cue evil laugh*

So why not simply re-create the magic using MS-DOS based arcade machine that was so successful?

A few reasons to go 64bit;

• MS-DOS M.A.M.E. source code hasn't been available for some time. This means I'm unable to compile M.A.M.E. with the latest code. And as my ROM set is up to date, this will cause problems with loading certain games
• 64bit operating systems can utilize much more RAM due to the expanded memory space it can address
• M.A.M.E. running on a 64bit operating system should run more modern games quicker
• I like a change/challenge :-D

There are however couple of disadvantages to running 64 bit;

• A bulky operating system is required
• Slower initial boot times from cold
• Cost - depending on with operating system you choose

Since M.A.M.E. is open source, we have a choice of operating systems

• Linux - complicated to use for the inexperienced user, but free (being a Yorkshireman, I like free)
• Windows - easier to setup for the novice, but expensive

My preferred choice is Linux. But I'll be starting with Windows XP 64bit, purely because I have the license. I also have no experience with connecting a 15khz standard resolution arcade monitor with J-PAC with Linux.

Once the cabinet hardware is tested and up and running, I plan to tear it all down and convert it to Crunchbang Linux x64