Dolphin, the GameCube and Wii emulator - Forums

Here is a fun challenge for veteran users on this forum!

This website allows one to build a custom PC, even has compatibility filters to assure that parts all play nicely together.
http://pcpartpicker.com

This might be useful for newbies like me since an ideal build for dolphin can be approximated here.

As far as parameters goes, let's say...

-that we keep this at $1000 or lower.
-Let's allow for PCI-express cards so that any SSDs can have a nice read/write speed.
-And be it a good enough PC to comfortably handle other gaming like the upcoming GTA 5.

Since this is a rig meant for old-school emulators (like dolphin, retroarch, PCSX2, etc.) it doesn't have to be a bleeding edge computer to squeeze out every latest frame rate from WoW or Battlefield. But it should be a reasonable enough PC for the occasional GTA 5 or games of that caliber, though that is second priority to the emulation needs.

This will greatly help me decide on my CPU since I have friend standing by to help me build this guy once I decide on the parts.

Thanx again for your help! :-D

Here's something I quickly threw together that should work well. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/HDFqwP

(10-18-2014, 04:11 AM)yl-smash Wrote: [ -> ]Here's something I quickly threw together that should work well. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/HDFqwP

Thank you! Does this have/need a sound card or is there something in the motherboard that allows me to get out to a speaker?

Most mobos bring integrated sound cards (you just look on back panel of PC, select the correct input for the jack and that´s all).

It would actually depend on how many speakers are you going to use (2.1 channels, 4.1, 5.1, 7.1, etc.).

Also.....does this have wireless internet integrated into the board? Or would I need to add a network wifi card? Also does this have sata 3 so I can simply put in my SSD or would I need a PCI-express card to take advantage of faster read/write speeds?

Here is a config I came up here with using everyone's input.
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/pleiades7/saved/p8JBD3

Let me know what you think!

Again, the parameters were budget, a good all around gaming machine for games like upcoming games like GTA 5. Also wanted this game to rock on emus like dolphin and retroarch, etc.*

*this is a bit of a cheat since I already have that SSD (but I included it since people might say, "where is your hard drive?")

Looking for feedback:

-on RAM? (I know it matters little for dolphin but on other things, like games on GTA 5 or retroarch, should I be covered?)
-decent GPU?
-other suggestions?

Also, I didn't include a network card but does this need one OR should I expect internet to be integrated into this? Yes, I'm a newbie so don't make fun of me TOO much for asking this question.

Again, let me know what you fellas think :-D

(10-18-2014, 06:33 AM)pleiades7 Wrote: [ -> ]Here is a config I came up here with using everyone's input.
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/pleiades7/saved/p8JBD3

Let me know what you think!

Again, the parameters were budget, a good all around gaming machine for games like upcoming games like GTA 5. Also wanted this game to rock on emus like dolphin and retroarch, etc.*

*this is a bit of a cheat since I already have that SSD (but I included it since people might say, "where is your hard drive?")

Looking for feedback:

-on RAM? (I know it matters little for dolphin but on other things, like games on GTA 5 or retroarch, should I be covered?)
-decent GPU?
-other suggestions?

Also, I didn't include a network card but does this need one OR should I expect internet to be integrated into this? Yes, I'm a newbie so don't make fun of me TOO much for asking this question.

Again, let me know what you fellas think :-D

Before we go any further, do you live near a microcenter?

(10-18-2014, 09:06 AM)combine1237 Wrote: [ -> ]

(10-18-2014, 06:33 AM)pleiades7 Wrote: [ -> ]Here is a config I came up here with using everyone's input.
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/pleiades7/saved/p8JBD3

Let me know what you think!

Again, the parameters were budget, a good all around gaming machine for games like upcoming games like GTA 5. Also wanted this game to rock on emus like dolphin and retroarch, etc.*

*this is a bit of a cheat since I already have that SSD (but I included it since people might say, "where is your hard drive?")

Looking for feedback:

-on RAM? (I know it matters little for dolphin but on other things, like games on GTA 5 or retroarch, should I be covered?)
-decent GPU?
-other suggestions?

Also, I didn't include a network card but does this need one OR should I expect internet to be integrated into this? Yes, I'm a newbie so don't make fun of me TOO much for asking this question.

Again, let me know what you fellas think :-D

Before we go any further, do you live near a microcenter?

About an hour from here. Why?

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/wBg499

Under $1000 1080p destroyer.

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LqbDmG) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LqbDmG/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54690k) | $199.99 @ Micro Center
**CPU Cooler** | [Phanteks PH-TC14PE_RD 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-cp...phtc14perd) | $64.99 @ Newegg
**Motherboard** | [MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-z97gaming5) | $110.00
**Memory** | [Team Zeus Red 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/team-memory...600hc9dc01) | $68.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [PNY Optima 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/pny-interna...c240goptrb) | $79.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/hitachi-int...ve-0f10311) | $69.49 @ Amazon
**Video Card** | [MSI Radeon R9 290 4GB TWIN FROZR Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-912v308002) | $250.75 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/phanteks-case-phes614pbk) | $99.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-...20g10750xr) | $59.99 @ Newegg
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $1004.18
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-18 16:07 EDT-0400 |

Edit: Link broken hold on.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LqbDmG


I find this to be a much more balanced build than any of the previous listed, yes it requires a drive to microcenter or fry's to price match, and yes it delivers a little less performance than other builds listed, but it has an ssd for a better overall computer experience (I am a believer), 2tb hdd for backup, work and games, a great case and I mean great case, nice sized psu enough to easily sli 970's if going that route and is decent quality not seasonic oem but its compromise, very nice albeit big cpu cooler so you can oc that processor to the max for dolphin, nicer motherboard for overclocking and features, and an overall red themed build if you swing that way. I could rearrange things if need be too for more compromise.

Edit: forgot to mention build comes with 3 free games from the never settle space bundle and a free ~$40 headset courtesy msi.