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    Please do not post a support request without first reading and following the advice in https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

    Question about space for files

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    retropiehelpromsemulatorsthemes
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    • R
      RetroDuck
      last edited by

      Hi!
      I'm new to this community but I am also planning to build a 128GB Raspberry Pi running RetroPie and EmulationStation.
      So, how much space do I need for firm/software, saves, themes and emulators? I am thinking about downloading around 117,9 gigs of games on it if possible, and here are the systems I am planning to emulate:
      NES/Famicom
      Famicom Disk System
      SNES/Super Famicom (and Satellaview)
      N64
      SG-1000
      Master System
      Mega Drive/Genesis
      Dreamcast
      Atari 2600
      Atari 5200
      Atari 7800
      Atari Jaguar
      PlayStation
      PSP
      ColecoVision
      Intellivision
      Vectrex
      3DO
      Neo Geo
      TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine
      32X
      Sega CD
      Odyssey2
      Game Boy
      Game Boy Color
      Game Boy Advance
      Game Gear
      Atari Lynx
      Wonderswan
      Wonderswan Color
      Neo Geo Pocket
      Neo Geo Pocket Color
      Virtual Boy
      Amiga
      Apple II
      Atari ST
      Commodore 64
      ZX Spectrum
      ScummVM
      MAME

      (Well, that's a long list of emulators.)
      So, how much space for software, themes, saves and emulators?
      Thank you for your time in advance!

      -RetroDuck

      DougAD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote -1
      • DougAD
        DougA @RetroDuck
        last edited by

        @retroduck The issue is that your 117.9 gb measured in "real" gigabytes, ie 1024^3 bytes of data , but the sd card manufacturers use the iec definition of 1gb = 1000^3 bytes (because it makes their cards look bigger than they really are). This means your card is actually 119.2 gb, so given that the base Retropie installation is about 2.5 gb, you won't have space even for all of those roms, let alone anything else.

        R ClydeC 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
        • R
          RetroDuck @DougA
          last edited by

          @douga Hello and thank you for your quick response! Are there any companies that make actual 128gb microsd cards or should I buy a bigger one? Can I install ROMs from a USB stick?

          mituM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • mituM
            mitu Global Moderator @RetroDuck
            last edited by

            @retroduck said in Question about space for files:

            Can I install ROMs from a USB stick?

            Yes, see the docs for running Roms from an USB drive.

            R 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • R
              RetroDuck @mitu
              last edited by

              @mitu Thank you!

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • ClydeC
                Clyde @DougA
                last edited by

                @douga said in Question about space for files:

                @retroduck The issue is that your 117.9 gb measured in "real" gigabytes, ie 1024^3 bytes of data

                Or a Gibibyte (GiB), as the IEC calls it.

                @retroduck said in Question about space for files:

                @douga Are there any companies that make actual 128gb microsd cards

                Fun fact: You already have an "actual 128 GB card". What you are looking for is a 128 GiB card. But since that would require the companies to make bigger cards without any benefit, as most people won't recognise the difference between GB and GiB, I doubt that there are any of those.

                Just remember in your own considerations that 128 GB is roughly 119 GiB.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • Y
                  youxia
                  last edited by

                  You'd probably be better off researching if you need 128GB at all to start with. The fact that some emulators are listed as working does not mean the games are actually 100% playable, so you need to think if you're okay with stunted performance. The demanding systems are probably better dealt with on a single-game basis, checking compatibility wikis and all that.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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