Bartop with N150 instead of RPI?

ltspicer

I don't like the RPI5. The RPI4 is okay.
Would an N150 mini PC 32-bit system also be suitable for Retropie?
If so, what do I need to consider?
My idea: Debian Bookworm 32bit system without GUI and then install Retropie?

I'm asking because I want to know before I buy it ;)
For GPIOs I forked a library : https://github.com/ltspicer/usb_gpio
I use servos for toggle restrictors @ joysticks 4 to 8 way and Sanwa compatible joysticks from Aliexpress (USB).
See: https://www.ltspiceusers.ch/threads/arcade-bartop-im-selbstbau.457/
Can work this configuration fine?

PS:
I have donated 5 £ ;)
I think, a 32bit system is more powerfull than a Raspberry (?)

Excuse me my terrible english

Lolonois

I would check https://retropie.org.uk/stats/pkgflags/ to see if an emulator you want to use is not supported on x86.

If you stick with Debian/Ubuntu as base OS RetroPie-Setup should work.

For the GPIO you could also use an USB to I2C (e.g https://github.com/harbaum/I2C-Tiny-USB) and some MCP23017, albeit it might be a little more to tinker to get also the servos addressed.

I did not try to run servos with https://gp2040-ce.info/ but it might be worth a little research before you start your project.

mitu

Thank you for the donation.

My idea: Debian Bookworm real 32bit system without GUI and then install Retropie?

Not quite - use Debian with a minimal GUI (XFCE/LXDE) and a 64 bit system. On a PC, RetroPie is meant to be used from a desktop session (X11/Wayland). Next week the new Debian Trixie (stable) version will be released and there will be no more 32bit installation images (just like Ubuntu/Fedora/other distros), so use the 64 bit installation image.

ltspicer

@Lolonois said in Bartop with N150 instead of RPI?:

I would check https://retropie.org.uk/stats/pkgflags/ to see if an emulator you want to use is not supported on x86.

If you stick with Debian/Ubuntu as base OS RetroPie-Setup should work.

For the GPIO you could also use an USB to I2C (e.g https://github.com/harbaum/I2C-Tiny-USB) and some MCP23017, albeit it might be a little more to tinker to get also the servos addressed.

I did not try to run servos with https://gp2040-ce.info/ but it might be worth a little research before you start your project.

Is AARCH64 like AMD64 in the compatibility list?
@mitu says, I should install AMD64 since Debian Trixie ist 64bit "only".

mitu

@ltspicer said in Bartop with N150 instead of RPI?:

Is AARCH64 like AMD64 in the compatibility list?

No, it's a different architecture.

ltspicer

@mitu said in Bartop with N150 instead of RPI?:

@ltspicer said in Bartop with N150 instead of RPI?:

Is AARCH64 like AMD64 in the compatibility list?

No, it's a different architecture.

Hmm, runs MAME, SNES etc fine with AMD64?

mitu

@ltspicer said in Bartop with N150 instead of RPI?:

Hmm, runs MAME, SNES etc fine with AMD64?

Yes, of course - why would you think otherwise ?

ltspicer

@mitu said in Bartop with N150 instead of RPI?:

@ltspicer said in Bartop with N150 instead of RPI?:

Hmm, runs MAME, SNES etc fine with AMD64?

Yes, of course - why would you think otherwise ?

I just thought that because AMD64 isn't listed (only x86) ;)

mitu

@ltspicer If you're referring to the flags summary that @Lolonois mentioned, x86 covers both 32 and 64 bit architectures. There's really no reason to choose 32bit over 64bit when a PC is involved.