domflo said: Question: Was the Dreamcast still working before you disassembled it? Because if so, you should think about giving away/selling the disc drive since those got high failure rates (that is if you don't need it anymore).
Also, since this is just emulation, Windows CE powered Dreamcast games don't work, right?
It wasn't working. I was cleaning my dads basement and found 3 dreamcasts, 1 of which was dead. Good idea though...
I found so much old console shit in that basement. Sega genesis, 32X and Sega CD and like 30 games...all working still. Sega knew how to make solid working hardware.
Which... I don't know. Is it just me or does that still seem like overkill for such old systems? Perhaps I'm underestimating how much it takes but when you consider the hardware these games were running on, I can't help but feel that you could get a perfectly capable CPU for under $100. Still, you sound like you have a better idea about this than I do; I'm just going on intuition here.
disolitude said:
If one wanted to build a serious gaming rig out of a classic console, they could use a Snes or NES, XBOX 1, Genesis + Sega CD or even a Sega Saturn. Those were large enough to house a decent CPU + a small dedicated GPU (ie GTX 760 mini).
760 mini? Huh! That's a new one on me. Is it comparable in performance to the standard GTX 760? Because if it is then I definitely have to call overkill on this one. I recall reading somewhere that the GPU in the PS3 was about the equivalent of a Geforce 7800. And that's an old graphics card. A good card in its day (I had one), but waaaay out of date now. I can't imagine needing anything like a GTX 760 to play games even older than that.
Though, if it's a mini version, it probably does take a hit in terms of power. Honestly, I've never really taken much notice of these smaller form factors before. Perhaps I should familiarize myself with them.
Just took out some stuff above to make it more legible...
I did start with the Genesis and full desktop parts but I realized that I would have to mount it backwards to make it fit. And once I did that I would have to individually route all connections to the back, creating one giant mess lol... Here is as far as I got with the Genny.
In terms of power, I agree that I3 4150 is overkill for a classic gaming console (unless you want to play Wii, Gamecube and PS2) but not for an HTPC. I want this Dreamcast 2 to run 1080p/4K videos next to my TV and stream XBMC...etc. For that I think it makes sense to spend 300-400 bucks on such a system.
As far as the GTX 760 mini, it is exactly the same power as the regular one. It would be overkill for this purpose, but at that point I would utilize it for PC gaming on top of console gaming.
Otherwise I may be a little busy in the coming weeks but will update this with a video when I have some time. Need to borrow my friends capture card too... :)
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on 31 July 2014
disolitude said:
Just took out some stuff above to make it more legible...
No problem.
disolitude said:
I did start with the Genesis and full desktop parts but I realized that I would have to mount it backwards to make it fit. And once I did that I would have to individually route all connections to the back, creating one giant mess lol... Here is as far as I got with the Genny.
I think I just came!
disolitude said:
In terms of power, I agree that I3 4150 is overkill for a classic gaming console (unless you want to play Wii, Gamecube and PS2)...
Well, now that I think about it, the Wii is technically a seventh gen console, isn't it? I'm not sure why I was mentally lumping it in with the others. But, even still, the sixth gen consoles like PS2 and GC? Maybe. I guess we are talking about emulation, after all, and that takes a bit of raw processing power when you start getting to the more recent consoles.
disolitude said:
... but not for an HTPC. I want this Dreamcast 2 to run 1080p/4K videos next to my TV and stream XBMC...etc.
Oh, I didn't realize that. Yeah, that makes sense. In fact, that's the kind of thing you probably do need a relatively recent graphics solution for. Does any GPU more than a couple of years old even support 4K output?
disolitude said:
For that I think it makes sense to spend 300-400 bucks on such a system.
Oh sure. No argument here. I thought it was intended purely to be a retro-platform emulator. I hope it didn't sound like I was criticizing your choices; it just seemed like it was costing you more than it needed to for what you wanted. But actually, it sounds like you know what you're doing.
disolitude said:
As far as the GTX 760 mini, it is exactly the same power as the regular one.
Really? That surprises me. So... does it run hotter or something? If it's physically smaller but equal in performance then there has to be some kind of trade off somewhere, doesn't there? Perhaps the fan is just cranked up to a higher speed.
I actually came across something relevant to this just today. It was a pure fluke - I wasn't looking for this specifically; I was just watching some videos on LinusTechTips, and I came across a review for the Gigabyte BRIX.
Its CPU is an i5-4200H, and I know the one from your Intel NUC is an i5-4250U. Now, I don't know how similar these are in real-world performance, but going by the model numbers, they sound like the same line of processors to me. More interestingly, though, you mentioned the GTX 760 and the BRIX has a dedicated GPU which just so happens to be... a GTX 760.
Mind you, while that's a funny co-incidence, what really impresses me is that, according to the review, this isn't a mobile GPU; it's a desktop 760! Ok, how does that even work? What did they do - rip the GPU off its circuit board to fit it in there?
Here's the video, by the way, if you're interested...
disolitude said:
It would be overkill for this purpose, but at that point I would utilize it for PC gaming on top of console gaming.
Heh, a Steam Machine too. The icing on the cake! I still think you should come up with your own personalized name, though. It's your system; it should have a distinguishing name, instead of just Dreamcast 2. EmuBox... or RetroStation... or... the Disolitude Drive! No, wait... Disolitude Drive 2000! There it is! That's it! If there's a better name for a console, I haven't heard it!
disolitude said:
Otherwise I may be a little busy in the coming weeks but will update this with a video when I have some time. Need to borrow my friends capture card too... :)
No worries. I appreciate your effort, and I look forward to the video!
Holy mother of God that is awesome disolitude! I'm gonna hafta check out Maximus Arcade as well, I had no idea it existed before now.
Question: Have you ever tried doing something similar with the original NES front loader model? I would think that's gotta be alot more real estate to play with, and would look even more epic than the Dreamcast 2 you created.
On 2/24/13, MB1025 said: You know I was always wondering why no one ever used the dollar sign for $ony, but then I realized they have no money so it would be pointless.
Euphoria14 said: I would love to have the time and money you do. Projects like these are so much fun. I could already think of things I would love to create.
Great work!
Thanks man!
I made some really cool upgrades that I will post soon. :)
