Help me build a emulator PC

jameslieb1 · July 27th, 2012, 22:34

Hey guys, I'm looking to build a relatively cheap emulator PC that can run games up to GameCube. I'm looking to spend as little as possible and to be quite honest I'm not interested in appearance, as long as the thing works I couldn't care less, it could look like a piece of crap for all I care.

Anyway I'm just wondering what parts you guys would recommend for me to use in the build. To be honest I'm pretty new to PC building, this will be my first build, although I've been doing my fair share of research on the topic. So all input is much appreciated. Thanks.

**Yeloazndevil** · July 28th, 2012, 01:17

for pcsx2 and dolphin try to get Intel. Get a i5 2500k or 3570k, you will need to overclock to at least 4.2-4.4ghz for some games. Any mainstream graphics card in the $150-250 range will be fine too. 4-8GB of DDR3 ram is fine (current ram prices are great) at least a 500-600 watt PSU. If you do overclock get a good motherboard for that.

Just my suggestions I am sure someone else can help you in more detail since I recently only got back into pc gaming and emulation

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jameslieb1 · July 28th, 2012, 05:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeloazndevil

for pcsx2 and dolphin try to get Intel. Get a i5 2500k or 3570k, you will need to overclock to at least 4.2-4.4ghz for some games. Any mainstream graphics card in the $150-250 range will be fine too. 4-8GB of DDR3 ram is fine (current ram prices are great) at least a 500-600 watt PSU. If you do overclock get a good motherboard for that.

Just my suggestions I am sure someone else can help you in more detail since I recently only got back into pc gaming and emulation

How will this build work?

Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus Series 500W ATX12V V2.3 Power Supply (RS500-PCARD3-US)
Intel Core i3-2120 Dual-Core Processor 3.3 GHz 3 MB Cache LGA 1155 - BX80623I32120
Western Digital Caviar Blue 500 GB SATA III 7200 RPM 16 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive - WD5000AAKX
Sapphire 11201-00-20G Radeon HD 7770 GHZ 1GB DDR5 HDMI / DVI-I / Dual Mini DP PCI-Express Graphics Card
3-Pin to 4-Pin Adapter
GIGABYTE GA-H61M-DS2 LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Sony AD-7280S-0B 24x SATA Internal DVD+/-RW Drive (Black)
PNY Optima MD4096KD3-1333 4GB Dual Channel Kit DDR3 1333 MHz PC3-10666 Desktop DIMM Memory Kit
Cooler Master Cooler Master Elite 430 Mid Tower ATX Case with Window (RC-430-KWN1)

I know the processor's below what you recommended, but I've been considering this build for a while and I've heard it can run modern games like BF3 at mid to high.

Phil · July 28th, 2012, 10:01

Get a better CPU. At least an i5 2500k. They are cheap now.

Strike105X · July 28th, 2012, 13:15

^Depends on where you live, here i'd need a two months worth of salary to buy one

.

If your tight on money you can go with the i3, it emulates nicely most games (Viper a member here is pretty pleased with his), but there are some high demanding games that it wont be able to play always at fullspeed like zone of enders and Xenogears. If you have the money and want the full speed for most games playable out there then an i5 2500k is a minimum, since you need a powerful CPU which you can overclock.

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Last edited by Strike105X; July 28th, 2012 at 13:23..

jameslieb1 · July 28th, 2012, 19:33

Ok, thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate it. Can someone give me an idea of how far an i3 2120 would get me in terms of games? Like N64 and below or what?

**Yeloazndevil** · July 28th, 2012, 20:08

it would exceed what you would need for psx/n64 emulation

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Strike105X · July 28th, 2012, 20:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by jameslieb1

Ok, thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate it. Can someone give me an idea of how far an i3 2120 would get me in terms of games? Like N64 and below or what?

Like it resulted from my previous post it can do all kinds of available emulation including PS2 emulation and Wii CG emulation it will run most games full speed except for a few games (on the PS2 emulator for example Zone of Enders and Xenosaga Series from what i know of wont be able to run constantly at full speed).

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**SCHUMI_4EVER** · July 29th, 2012, 21:02

The Extreme Powers are really crappy PSUs, this won't be much better but is one of the best you can get on a budget.
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-500-Wa...W+Power+Supply

Also when building a new system anyways you want 8GB now, so sense in going with 4GB...especially on an H61 board that just has 2 RAM slots since that would mean the old sticks are useless once you actually want to go for 8GB later on.

__________________

Intel Core2Quad Q9550 (2.83Ghz stock) | ASUS P5Q | 2x2GB Transcend JetRam DDR2-800 | ASUS ENGTX260\HDTP\896M | Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit SP1

The Champ has retired but may his Legacy live on FOREVER !!!!

No$GBA DS FAQ 2.0

Get it right fools! The glass is HALF-EMPTY, not half-full!!!

!!! WARNING: Emulation requires a brain !!! WARNING: Emulation =/= Piracy !!!

July 27th, 2012, 22:34	#1
jameslieb1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 3	Help me build a emulator PC Hey guys, I'm looking to build a relatively cheap emulator PC that can run games up to GameCube. I'm looking to spend as little as possible and to be quite honest I'm not interested in appearance, as long as the thing works I couldn't care less, it could look like a piece of crap for all I care. Anyway I'm just wondering what parts you guys would recommend for me to use in the build. To be honest I'm pretty new to PC building, this will be my first build, although I've been doing my fair share of research on the topic. So all input is much appreciated. Thanks.

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July 28th, 2012, 01:17	#2
Yeloazndevil Touka <3 Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 11,868	for pcsx2 and dolphin try to get Intel. Get a i5 2500k or 3570k, you will need to overclock to at least 4.2-4.4ghz for some games. Any mainstream graphics card in the $150-250 range will be fine too. 4-8GB of DDR3 ram is fine (current ram prices are great) at least a 500-600 watt PSU. If you do overclock get a good motherboard for that. Just my suggestions I am sure someone else can help you in more detail since I recently only got back into pc gaming and emulation __________________ Nintendo Network ID: Yeloazndevil

July 28th, 2012, 10:01	#4
Phil 339.9 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: USA Posts: 14,777	Get a better CPU. At least an i5 2500k. They are cheap now.

July 28th, 2012, 13:15	#5
Strike105X ヒットハード＆高速 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Aincrad Posts: 13,679	^Depends on where you live, here i'd need a two months worth of salary to buy one . If your tight on money you can go with the i3, it emulates nicely most games (Viper a member here is pretty pleased with his), but there are some high demanding games that it wont be able to play always at fullspeed like zone of enders and Xenogears. If you have the money and want the full speed for most games playable out there then an i5 2500k is a minimum, since you need a powerful CPU which you can overclock. __________________ DeviantArt\|AnimeList\|PC Config Last edited by Strike105X; July 28th, 2012 at 13:23..

July 28th, 2012, 19:33	#6
jameslieb1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 3	Ok, thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate it. Can someone give me an idea of how far an i3 2120 would get me in terms of games? Like N64 and below or what?

July 28th, 2012, 20:08	#7
Yeloazndevil Touka <3 Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 11,868	it would exceed what you would need for psx/n64 emulation __________________ Nintendo Network ID: Yeloazndevil

July 29th, 2012, 21:02	#9
SCHUMI_4EVER Hackin 'n Slashin Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Most-expensive-Internet-on-the-Planet Land : South Africa Posts: 26,321	The Extreme Powers are really crappy PSUs, this won't be much better but is one of the best you can get on a budget. http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-500-Wa...W+Power+Supply Also when building a new system anyways you want 8GB now, so sense in going with 4GB...especially on an H61 board that just has 2 RAM slots since that would mean the old sticks are useless once you actually want to go for 8GB later on. __________________ Intel Core2Quad Q9550 (2.83Ghz stock) \| ASUS P5Q \| 2x2GB Transcend JetRam DDR2-800 \| ASUS ENGTX260\HDTP\896M \| Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit SP1 The Champ has retired but may his Legacy live on FOREVER !!!! No$GBA DS FAQ 2.0 Get it right fools! The glass is HALF-EMPTY, not half-full!!! !!! WARNING: Emulation requires a brain !!! WARNING: Emulation =/= Piracy !!!