Building an emulation machine

um7y1h83ge06nx · 20-08-2015 10:41am #1

I've been toying with this idea recently.

I want to get into retro gaming a bit more and reckon I want a dedicated setup rather than having a laptop with an emulator or two that I use every so often, a permanent setup.

So was thinking of building or buying a mini PC pretty much exclusively for emulation purposes. Something that can be permanently setup near the TV, using it as it's monitor. The small form factor would be crucial as I want something tidy, just another box near the TV.

My target would be to be able to run all emulators up to and including the Dolphin emulator (Gamecube, Wii, Triforce) which can be quite processor intensive from what I see.

Technically a decent processor, HDMI output and a wireless adapter (for easy internet connection for downloads) are probably the main things.

Has anyone done anything similar?

CiDeRmAn · 20-08-2015 8:17pm

Kerbdog, a user in these parts, has built a very capable bartop machine.
Might be worth checking out the relevant thread to see what hardware he used.

um7y1h83ge06nx · 21-08-2015 1:24pm

Sound, will check that out.

Looking closer at the Dolphin emulator it needs a pretty decent CPU, might need to re-consider that as my benchmark if I want to keep costs down.

If I move forward with things, I'll let people know what I select and how I get on.

salamanca22 · 26-08-2015 6:09am

A raspberry pi2 with retropie can emulate up to playstation 1 without any issues. It's tiny, costs about 40 euro (plus a micro sd card) and does the job very well. I use one in my bartop right now.

um7y1h83ge06nx · 02-09-2015 1:25pm

Yeah, think I might row back my requirement to run Dolphin and look at the PI. If I got one of those, a case off EBay, a generic USB wireless adapter and a good size micro SD card I would be good to go really.

Dr Bob · 02-09-2015 8:44pm

Malachi Scarce Harpoon wrote: »

Yeah, think I might row back my requirement to run Dolphin and look at the PI. If I got one of those, a case off EBay, a generic USB wireless adapter and a good size micro SD card I would be good to go really.

Ive built one or two into (defunct) console cases..works pretty well..just finished a c64 pi 2( with working original keyboard and joystick ports .( as well as usb for more modern pads)

eddhorse · 02-09-2015 9:06pm

Dr Bob wrote: »

Ive built one or two into (defunct) console cases..works pretty well..just finished a c64 pi 2( with working original keyboard and joystick ports .( as well as usb for more modern pads)

Any pics? Sounds great

Corholio · 03-09-2015 3:00am

Is there certain models to look out for with the raspberry pi 2? I see a lot of listings with '2015 version', is that the best one to get?

Dr Bob · 03-09-2015 7:22am

eddhorse wrote: »

Any pics? Sounds great

I've a video that I keep meaning stick up on the channel.

Myrddin · 03-09-2015 8:20am

How do you get the original C64 keyboard working with the Pi 2 Bob?

K.O.Kiki · 03-09-2015 11:49am

Malachi Scarce Harpoon wrote: »

Technically a decent processor, HDMI output and a wireless adapter (for easy internet connection for downloads) are probably the main things.

VGA output + Scanline Generator

salamanca22 · 03-09-2015 4:09pm

Corholio wrote: »

Is there certain models to look out for with the raspberry pi 2? I see a lot of listings with '2015 version', is that the best one to get?

Yeah you want the 2015 Model B+ it has more USB, better audio, more gpio (important if you are using arcade buttons) and a few other improvements.

Doge · 03-09-2015 8:20pm

A more powerful option than the Pi would be to buy an android box or ouya console if you can get one cheap second hand.

There's a **** ton of decent emulators on android with frontends available, there's even free versions of the best emulators (intended for the Chinese android market.)

The ouyas "nostalgia" GUI in particular is great for emulators.

Steve X2 · 04-09-2015 9:33am

Myrddin wrote: »

How do you get the original C64 keyboard working with the Pi 2 Bob?

I’d say he used a Keyrah 2 or similar. That’s what I used on my C64/Pi2 mashup anyway.
http://www.vesalia.de/e_keyrahv2.htm

Very nice little thing and it works on the Amiga 600/1200 as well. That recent Kickstarter for the A1200 cases has a nice slot for it, along with the Raspberry Pi.

um7y1h83ge06nx · 08-09-2015 1:56pm

Well I'm finally back.

I've decided to go with the Retropie suggestions, seems like a great piece of kit.

Will get a Pi 2, case etc. from AliExpress.

Might use a Xbox 360 wired controller as my controller of choice. Anyone know where to pick one up at a good price?

Good video here outlining Retropie setup, this guys channels has lots on Retropie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySoTQhQqZdI

2ndcoming · 08-09-2015 2:42pm

As far as I know the generic PS-style controllers work a lot easier with emulators than a wired 360 one, but the wired 360 is yer only man for PC games.

I have multiple emulators on my laptop and find the PS style one very handy with the major SNES/MD/NES/MS emulators.

um7y1h83ge06nx · 08-09-2015 3:14pm

Thanks for that advice.

I have a Logitech Dual Action USB controller which is a PS Dual Shock rip-off - link

I also have a little converter that allows you to plug a PS1, PS2 era controller into it and then connect it to a PC via USB.

EDIT: Just found a Street Fighter IV Fightpad for the 360 that will probably work too for older games (no analogue sticks).

Here's what I have ordered so far, pretty much good to go after this - have plenty of USB cables and adapters and will get a cheap HDMI cable in Dealz:

Pi 2 plus case and heatsinks from Aliexpress link - $39.59
300M Wi-fi dongle link $4.59

Total for these 2 circa €40

64GB Class 10 card including delivery link £16.94 - €23.50

salamanca22 · 08-09-2015 7:40pm

360 joypad works fine for everything except the damn n64 and it's bastardized controler setup :P

You are doing well with what you have ordered there. I like to run my roms from a USB drive though as they have less chance of failure than a micro sd card with constant read/writes and even if it does fail it doesnt take the OS with it.

um7y1h83ge06nx · 30-09-2015 1:46pm

The Raspberry Pi 2 just arrived today.

Not too bad, ordered on the 8th so just over 3 weeks, so i'd definitely recommend Aliexpress.

Looking forward to getting things setup.

Steve X2 · 30-09-2015 3:39pm

Malachi Scarce Harpoon wrote: »

The Raspberry Pi 2 just arrived today.

Not too bad, ordered on the 8th so just over 3 weeks, so i'd definitely recommend Aliexpress.

Looking forward to getting things setup.

Did you not order from the UK? Usually takes 2-3 days from there, and they are mostly made in the Uk now I think. Big saving on Aliexpress?

um7y1h83ge06nx · 30-09-2015 3:45pm

Steve X2 wrote: »

Did you not order from the UK? Usually takes 2-3 days from there, and they are mostly made in the Uk now I think. Big saving on Aliexpress?

Just under $40 including delivery on AliExpress for the Pi 2, a case and heatsinks (don't think you really need the heatsinks) http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Raspberry-Pi-2-Model-B-BCM2836-1GB-RAM-6-times-faster-than-Raspberry-PI-Model-B/32291542644.html

I was in no rush anyway for it.

Steve X2 · 30-09-2015 3:54pm

Malachi Scarce Harpoon wrote: »

Just under $40 including delivery on AliExpress for the Pi 2, a case and heatsinks (don't think you really need the heatsinks) http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Raspberry-Pi-2-Model-B-BCM2836-1GB-RAM-6-times-faster-than-Raspberry-PI-Model-B/32291542644.html

I was in no rush anyway for it.

Yeah, that's a decent price. Its just about 45 euro for same stuff from RS Ireland(not inc postage).

Yffisch · 01-10-2015 2:03pm

I would also suggest the PI

um7y1h83ge06nx · 27-10-2015 11:50am

So I finally got off my @rse and set this up at the weekend. I can't post up screenshots at the moment but it worked brilliantly, very happy with it.

I used the Youtube guide I linked to in the previous page. Everything went smoothly, the Logitech controller was detected without issue and was able to configure all the buttons.

I haven't been able to get the Wi-fi adapter working yet. Despite some googling and experience with Linux it's been a little troublesome, will need to spend some time on it.

One thing to note with the latest 3.x verions of Retropie, in order to transfer your games using USB you need to create a folder called "retropie" on the root of your USB stick, otherwise Retropie won't create the folder it should create for the ROMs.

Performance is great, I did overclock it a little. Need to spend more time on it, played Super Mario World and Megaman X for the SNES and Wipeout 2097 for the PS1.

For an early 3D game Wipeout still seems to hold up very well, still excellent. Another tip - in order to get the CD audio playing for the PS1 games you need to start the .cue file not the .bin file, that confused me a little until I googled.

Next I'm going to grab some USB extension leads and a second controller, will be able to keep the PI behind the TV then.

RedXIV · 27-10-2015 12:24pm

Might take a look at getting this kit for Xmas for myself after reading the thread

um7y1h83ge06nx · 27-10-2015 12:41pm

Worth it for the craic, will have me playing retro games more now than just using emulators on my laptop, just like having a tiny retro console next to the TV.

Follow the video on the previous page but if you run into trouble send me an IM.

Building an emulation machine

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