Intel Atom. Yep. I recommend it. Read the rest inside to know the details.

 

So yeah. Lately, I’ve been working on research on prices for a client (not computer client) who wanted to build an internet cafe. He wanted only something that can “fit” on the desks in the shop. Well, his internet cafe is more on food than computers so basically, it’s a cake shop somewhere in Malaysia. Well, the units would be shipped from the Philippines so he told me to get parts that are worth like less than 20,000 bucks. Online gaming would be nice too but still, the budget stays there.

I worked up all night searching around the online shops for the possible specs (at least to save 5000 per unit).

Until I got an idea from my Asus eePC laptop, it seems that the specs of the eePC could carry almost every online game that is popular (such as Steps Online in Malaysia since the gig is for girls though).

Anyways, mostly… Online games would be in than LAN games. Why? Online gaming is the future of gaming.

Parts List:

  • Intel Motherboard with Intel Atom Processor (combo with Processors save a lot but the motherboard is small. So, why not get something small and cute?). Cost: around 3000 bucks.
  • Slim CPU Case (around the size of a book) Cost: around 2000 bucks
  • Team Elite 2GB DDR 800 or Apacer 2GB DDR 667 (I think I should go for Samsung but quite pricey though.) Cost: 3000 bucks
  • any mouse and keyboard combo (ordinary but make sure it’s not really delicate). Cost: 1000
  • 15″ LCD monitors (low budget type ones like AOC and Chimei) Cost: 5000 or 4000
  • 160 GB laptop hard disk (make sure it’s Western Digital’s cheap ones). Cost: 1000

the total cost of the parts will be around 15000 bucks. Of course, everytime you buy an Intel Atom type modbo… Please know its VGA chip. Because, it will let you help to see if the online games you install will SUPPORT it. Counter Strike Source can still be played but others won’t. Maybe old games like Grand Theft Auto Vice City will still work. Just take note that ALL online games are running a Shader under 2.0 except Need For Speed World Online and others that has similar drawing shader with NFS World Online.

Now, with the total cost of parts… I was able to save 5000 bucks. But that doesn’t mean you’d keep that to yourself. Since there are 20 units to be made… Uh… Let’s do a little math:

20 units worth 20,000 (owner’s given budget) = 20,000 x 20 = 400000

20 units worth 15,000 (my given budget) = 15,000 x 20 = 300000.

Difference between the two: my given budget lets the owner save 100000. Take note the owner loaned Php 600000 for the computers and shipment alone. At least, all he could do now is to pay 100000 back so he gets 500000 as a loan instead. So, 100000 is left from the budget. That would be for the shipment costs (50,000) and the rest will be for the switch, router, network cables, network tools (crimping tool and testing tool), and one server worth also the same price.

The cash remained was 10,000. Whew. Well, that money went to the owner. At least he paid me half of the 10,000.

Anyways, for the setup. It’s simple though. Just a modified Windows XP which is the Tiny XP (uh, I did a few modifications just to make sure it will never be detected as pirated) and added these games:

  • Dance Battle Audition SEA
  • CrossFire
  • Cubizone Steps Online
  • Perfect World
  • Grand Chase
  • KOS
  • Ragnarok
  • Baby Cabal
  • RAN online

and all the available online games for Malaysia but they’re all SEA versions (South-East Asia).

 

For those who wanted a slim cafe (than bulky computer units), use this method. But I reckon that the games (uh, offline ones like LAN party types or just good for single players) should be less in specs. Likely GameHouse games would do.

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