I managed to get my hands on a classic arcade cabinet, which I have begun a project to convert into a MAME arcade cabinet running Ubuntu Linux and KXMAME. My plans are to gut the machine, stripping out everything, and to put a new PC, monitor and sound system inside.

I ordered all the parts for the PC from New Egg. A pre-assembled computer with similar components would probably have cost about $1500 but buying all the components separately and assembling it only cost a total of $525 including shipping. You can see photos of the parts in the gallery on this page. My goal was to build the smallest computer possible that would still be expandable using fullsize cards without risers. Here's the specs:

Motherboard: Sapphire socket AM2+ PCI Express 2.0 Micro ATX form factor

Processor: Dual Core AMD Athlon X2 2.2 Ghz

RAM: 4GB (2GB x 2)

Power Supply: 475 Watts (highest wattage Micro ATX power supply with the 8pin connector needed for the mobo).

Graphics Card: Asus ATI Radeon HD 3650 PCI Express 16x 2.0

Audio: On-board 7.1 HD Audio

Monitor: 19" 3:4 aspect ratio Samsung monitor

Hard Drive: 80GB SATA

Network: On-board Gigabit LAN, PCI Realtek 8185 wireless adapter

Case: Athenatech 350 Micro ATX HTPC case

Operating System: Ubuntu Linux 8.04 Hardy Heron

Game Software: KXMAME

I have the PC assembled and have all the software and drivers installed. The only hardware that Hardy Heron did not immediately recognize was the Realtek 8185 PCI wireless adapter. I was able to get it to work using the ndiswrapper with minimal effort. I will post a Linux tutorial soon with details on how I did it.

I am really satisfied with it's performance so far. I tested it out with Radiant Silvergun and it runs at full speed with no slowdown in two player mode, even in really graphically intensive boss battles.

I have also begun work on the cabinet itself. I will have photos and details in the next update.