MAMEWorld Forums - Hardware - Where to start on Mame cabinet?

Well I have messed around with Mame many years ago and always wanted to build a mame cabinet. Now that I finally have money to do so, I am not sure where to start. I think I want to build a bartop style with 2 player and would like to add a track ball. I have seen weecade and like it, but it is like most out there. Though if there are great plans I would love to see them.

Woodworking is not a problem at all. I have access to a cabinetry shop at my work.

My real issue is pc. what to use and what type of button input card to use or do I even need one? etc.. All the plans for cabinets seem to only talk about how to build the actual cabinet. Rarely if at all do they include the pc side of it. And if there is references to a pc, the article is before 2010.

I have a few years old dual core pc laying around. I don't necessarily have to use this but just saying that I have it available is all. I am open to suggestions short of spending a grand on a quad core pc.

I am not wanting to play todays games for the most part. More of late 70s-80-90s.

I have a 17 and 19.5 (and possibly a 22" wide screen I think)flat monitor that can be used. I thought about using bigger monitor so there would be room for trackball in control panel.

I also have no clue which frontends work the best or which are most user friendliest. that would be great also.

Any help I can get would really be appreciated and/or pointed in the right direction would be great.