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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

    Mini PC for retropie

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    • S
      space invader
      last edited by

      Hi! I would like to make a bartop with retropie inside but I want to add the Sega Monaco GP simulator from geecab which is x86 based, so I'm thinking in buying a chinese mini pc based in Intel atom z8350 processor with 2Gb ram like alfawise X5 for example.

      The question is, could It run retropie well? I think it is more powerful than my Pi 2, so It shouldn't have any trouble, am I right?

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

        @space-invader RetroPie surely works on x86 (using Ubuntu/Debian or compatible distributions), so there is not problem installing it. But the system you're trying to built is not particularly powerfull, I'd check first the requirements for the Emulator/Game you're trying to emulate to see if it would run well on the hardware you intend to purchase.

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        • S
          space invader @mitu
          last edited by

          @mitu I only want to emulate old arcades, zx spectrum, nes and the Mónaco GP simulator, which runs well in my seven years old atom netbook, so I think it's ok. Thanks!

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • obsidianspiderO
            obsidianspider
            last edited by

            I run RetroPie on a Celeron Chromebook with 4GB of RAM running GalliumOS and it is fantastic. I'm not sure about the particular board you're looking at, but RetroPie on x86 works very well.

            📷 @obsidianspider

            S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • S
              space invader @obsidianspider
              last edited by

              @obsidianspider thanks for the info. I think the X5 will full my needs.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • ClassicGMRC
                ClassicGMR
                last edited by

                @space-invader said in Mini PC for retropie:

                alfawise X5

                Isn't that a vacuum cleaner? 😂

                Growing older is mandatory. Growing up is optional!
                Enjoy the ride!

                DougAD mituM S 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
                • DougAD
                  DougA @ClassicGMR
                  last edited by

                  @classicgmr I hope you aren't suggesting that it sucks :-)

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

                    @classicgmr said in Mini PC for retropie:

                    Isn't that a vacuum cleaner?

                    As long as it runs Debian, it's ok.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                    • ClassicGMRC
                      ClassicGMR
                      last edited by

                      @classicgmr said in Mini PC for retropie:

                      alfawise X5

                      https://www.amazon.com/Alfawise-Robotic-Cleaner-Gyroscope-Positioning/dp/B074SDL5V2

                      BAHAHAHAHA!!!!

                      Growing older is mandatory. Growing up is optional!
                      Enjoy the ride!

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                      • S
                        space invader @ClassicGMR
                        last edited by

                        @classicgmr said in Mini PC for retropie:

                        @space-invader said in Mini PC for retropie:

                        alfawise X5

                        Isn't that a vacuum cleaner? 😂

                        This is what I was refering to...

                        https://es.gearbest.com/media-player/pp_691661.html?wid=1451237#goodsDetail

                        63.32€ with free delivery to Spain. I think it's a good price, the only thing is that it lacks of vga out but I will use a hdmi-vga converter as with the Pi

                        cyperghostC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • cyperghostC
                          cyperghost @space invader
                          last edited by cyperghost

                          @space-invader Bahh... The Intel Atom aren't so powerfull. They are fine for mobile computing and the Atom will surly outbeat the Raspberry.... but I think PS2 or Dreamdcast emulation will fail!
                          Furthermore .... Do you think you can set a Unix system on this?

                          Consider a Intel Nuc i5 ;) Prepare for the future!
                          And buy the Alafawise Vac-cleaner ;)

                          D S 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • D
                            dro3m @cyperghost
                            last edited by dro3m

                            @cyperghost What you taking about? I have a 1st gen atom and can do anything fine. When it comes 32-bit 1 core, 2 threads, though. Lubuntu 18.04, RetroPie on a netbook. Just installed Mac OS 8.1 on a emulator (forgot the name), played some zdoom, gameboy game, a little bit of dosbox. Not sure why you it well out beat a Raspberry Pi when people USE RetroPie the RaspberryPi,

                            cyperghostC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • cyperghostC
                              cyperghost @dro3m
                              last edited by cyperghost

                              @dro3m Well ... then please descripe your setup.
                              Were you able to get a native Debian system running on this?

                              I would favour a i5 barebone system... and I talked about PS2 and Dreamcast maybe WII

                              D 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • D
                                dro3m
                                last edited by dro3m

                                Yes it well run just fine. I have a old Toshiba netbook witha Intel Atom 1 core, 2 threads with Lubuntu 18.04 and RetroPie 4.4. RetroPie runs flawlessly. Plus with x86 based CPU, you have more emulator compatibility. Go with Cherry Trail or newer for 64-bit .

                                EDIT: Or even a used Dell Optiplex with Core 2 Duo well do the job, hey it's upgradeable.

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • D
                                  dro3m @cyperghost
                                  last edited by

                                  @cyperghost Well, It just a good ol' Toshiba NB205 netbook, with a Intel Atom N280 1 core, 2 threads clocked @1.66Ghz. 2 GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD. Run Lubuntu 18.04 32-bit and RetroPie 4.4. Runs like a dream. BTW a i5 seems to be a little over kill, when all your just doing is emulating older game console and PCs.

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • S
                                    space invader @cyperghost
                                    last edited by

                                    @cyperghost said in Mini PC for retropie:

                                    @space-invader Bahh... The Intel Atom aren't so powerfull. They are fine for mobile computing and the Atom will surly outbeat the Raspberry.... but I think PS2 or Dreamdcast emulation will fail!
                                    Furthermore .... Do you think you can set a Unix system on this?

                                    Consider a Intel Nuc i5 ;) Prepare for the future!
                                    And buy the Alafawise Vac-cleaner ;)

                                    As I said, I only want to emulate old arcades, zx spectrum, nes and perhaps some DOS games, so I think it will be powerful enough.

                                    I would buy a i5 but this goes beyond my Budget.

                                    cyperghostC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • cyperghostC
                                      cyperghost @space invader
                                      last edited by cyperghost

                                      @space-invader Then go ahead. I think the Atom outbeats the Raspberry easily. N64 should be no problem. But I've doubts you can get a native Linux running ... Driver support and maybe even changing boot system will fail.

                                      So Windows will produce a bit of overhead but ES and all other compontens should work for Windows.

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • S
                                        space invader
                                        last edited by

                                        Ahh, another question. Anyone knows whether it is posible to boot this kind of mini pc with Linux on a pendrive or sd card? in order not to change the win10 installation...

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

                                          @space-invader It can probably boot, but why would you need the win 10 install ?

                                          S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • S
                                            space invader @mitu
                                            last edited by

                                            @mitu Probably for nothing, but Who knows...

                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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