What's the cheapest model of ST for gaming?...

[ataridave]

I'm talking about one that would run games like Robotron 2084. Nothing fancy, but with enough memory to play plenty of old games, and that I could hook up to my CRT tv. I've heard that the STfm is a good choice.

[Rybags]

1040 ST/FM is probably the most common one out there and usually goes for not much more than a 520.

 

So, better compatabilty with those games that need 1 meg RAM.

 

On the other hand, an STe is more desirable because you can just upgrade the RAM by replacing the SIMMs with 1 meg ones if that hasn't already been done although supposedly some early ones had them soldered in.

Not to mention that you can then run the better homebrew games and demos that need an STe or better.

 

Additionally there is some software that won't work happily on STe or better but the cracker groups have fixed quite a few of them.

Edited March 4, 2011 by Rybags

[amiman99]

Cheapest would be 520STFM or even STM with external drive, make sure you get it with double sided disk drive, but I would go with 1040STFM with built in drive.

 

If you want to play Robotron, maybe go with Atari 7800 with double joysticks

[+wood_jl]

1040STfm, all the way. Careful for 1040STf, which has neither composite nor RF out. RF out sucks and you're probably not going to use it, but when it's there, it means that composite is on the monitor jack, which looks the same on the non-"m" models.

 

The STe is interesting, and yeah, I want one. But it's going to be difficult and expensive to get one, or to get a GOOD CLEAN NICE one. They're so much fewer, that they don't come up for sale too often. When they do, there's really not much of a selection. With the STfm, there were so many that there's usually enough for sale that you can pick a NICE one. At any time, the yellowed, dirty STe you see on Ebay is probably the only one for sale. Plus, you're likely to get into a bidding war. All that for features that never got supported (to any extent) and the aforementioned incompatibilities, which (also aforementioned) can be worked around, but more hassle.

 

1MB of RAM is plenty for general/casual gaming. Double-sided drive is a must. 1040STfm has 'em both!

[wongck]

A STE model should be great for games.

1040STE or 520STE... and get a floppy emulator so you can store all your games on a SD card.

[monzamess]

520STFM would be the cheapest model that fits your needs. It only has 512k RAM and a single-sided floppy but early games were written with that in mind.

 

The 1040STFM would be a good upgrade, with 1MB RAM and a double-sided drive, but like a previous poster said, watch out for the 1040STF which doesn't have the RF modulator or composite out. I believe the "F" model is a lot more common than the "FM" model so pay attention.

 

(remember F = built-in floppy, M = built-in RF modulator)

[+wood_jl]

I know everybody likes to recommend the STe, but seriously, do you look for them on Ebay? They're not listed frequently (NO JOKE), and when they are, there is frequently a bidding war. Is the alleged benefit (for a BEGINNER, especially) really worth this premium? Someone please explain, and let me know what I'm missing out on.

 

Thanks.

[Tenorman]

Agreed on the 1040STFM idea. Even the selection of 520/1040ST(FM) machines on eBay isn't that great a lot of the time, but it is sure easier to find and a lot cheaper than an STE. The "normal" STs are by far the most common, and game developers of course knew this. You won't find a lot that you can't play 1040ST unless you start getting into demos and the like.

[simonsunnyboy]

You can always buy a 1040STE later on if you really feel the need. For a start the 1040STFM will give you a lot to see play and enjoy.

[ataridave]

Thanks for the advice, everyone! Yeah, I hate RF, even with older platforms.

[+poobah]

The MegaST systems (NOT the MegaSTE) are basically 1040's in a pizza box case.

They will run almost everything.

[oky2000]

The MegaST systems (NOT the MegaSTE) are basically 1040's in a pizza box case.

They will run almost everything.

 

Especially the Mega1 with only 1mb RAM.

 

520ST/520STM is tricky to find and sold my last spare to a guy in Greee for £125. Was pristine/boxed/correct manuals though.

 

520STFM cheapest but might have single sided drive so beware.

[tjlazer]

I think a 1040STFM is RARER than a 1040STE! (IN THE USA THAT IS) I think I am right in this assumption too. I have 4 1040STf's and two 1040STE's and a 520STfm and I hardly EVER see a 1040STfm here in the states or even USA eBay.... Just something to keep in mind in your search.

 

I would get a nice 520STm with SF314 drive or a 1040STf for cheap and a monitor. That would be best... If no monitor then, like was mentioned, stay away from the 1040STf. (no composite out)

[oky2000]

Cheapest would be 520STFM or even STM with external drive, make sure you get it with double sided disk drive, but I would go with 1040STFM with built in drive.

 

If you want to play Robotron, maybe go with Atari 7800 with double joysticks

 

Last ST or STM I sold (was actually an ST without modulator) with no accessories sold for £150 on ebay to a guy in Greece who paid £60 for basic signed for international postage. Remember too if you need spares for STM/ST you will never find them, like the external PSUs they use etc.

 

Best to just get a dirty yellowed 1040STF and a SCART cable for your TV Hardly anything worth playing on STE specific games so not worth the ass ache of finding the right compatible STE crack of the game you might want to play.

[ataridave]

OK, I should note that I live in the USA, and am only interested in playing US-NTSC games-would a 1040STFM still be the best option? What would I have to use to hook up a "regular" Atari ST to my TV? If it's RF, then I'd be OK with that, if it would be a cheaper computer to buy then the STFM.

[amiman99]

OK, I should note that I live in the USA, and am only interested in playing US-NTSC games-would a 1040STFM still be the best option? What would I have to use to hook up a "regular" Atari ST to my TV? If it's RF, then I'd be OK with that, if it would be a cheaper computer to buy then the STFM.

STFM has RF video output on RCA connector, and composite out from 13PIN connector. You need special cable to get composite out. You can get them sometimes from EBAY or you can make one yourself. I found a good source for that special connector and is cheap too.

[Charlie_]

If it is not a "M" model does it still have composite out from the 13 pin?

[+wood_jl]

If it is not a "M" model does it still have composite out from the 13 pin?

 

Nope. Only the models that have the RF "M"odulator have composite on the monitor jack, too.

[Charlie_]

If it is not a "M" model does it still have composite out from the 13 pin?

 

Nope. Only the models that have the RF "M"odulator have composite on the monitor jack, too.

 

Thanks. So then if you don't have a monitor that will work with the ST line and plan to use a TV, you must have a "M" model. Glad I asked as I'm currently looking to get a 1040 computer!

[+wood_jl]

If it is not a "M" model does it still have composite out from the 13 pin?

 

Nope. Only the models that have the RF "M"odulator have composite on the monitor jack, too.

 

Thanks. So then if you don't have a monitor that will work with the ST line and plan to use a TV, you must have a "M" model. Glad I asked as I'm currently looking to get a 1040 computer!

 

To be honest with you, I thought it "M" was a big deal. It's a nice option, but the display on composite just doesn't cut it for me. The RGB monitors (Atari SC1224) have just wonderful, beautiful, stupendous, crisp displays. I mean, they're REALLY worth it. So having a 1040STf (no "m") with a monitor would benefit me the same, as I never use the composite. If you want to make videos (etc) through composite capture, of course, then you'd need the "M" anyway.

 

But the composite just doesn't look so crisp. "Medium" resolution looks pretty bad. "Low" resolution (most games run it) looks ok....just nowhere as crisp. I **LOVE** the Atari SC1224 monitor!

 

If you're going to get a monitor anyway (you should) then you wouldn't have to hold out for a 1040STfm; 1040STf is much more common. Have to wait a bit and keep looking to get a "deal" on SC1224 but you can, if you keep looking.

[Charlie_]

If it is not a "M" model does it still have composite out from the 13 pin?

 

Nope. Only the models that have the RF "M"odulator have composite on the monitor jack, too.

 

Thanks. So then if you don't have a monitor that will work with the ST line and plan to use a TV, you must have a "M" model. Glad I asked as I'm currently looking to get a 1040 computer!

 

To be honest with you, I thought it "M" was a big deal. It's a nice option, but the display on composite just doesn't cut it for me. The RGB monitors (Atari SC1224) have just wonderful, beautiful, stupendous, crisp displays. I mean, they're REALLY worth it. So having a 1040STf (no "m") with a monitor would benefit me the same, as I never use the composite. If you want to make videos (etc) through composite capture, of course, then you'd need the "M" anyway.

 

But the composite just doesn't look so crisp. "Medium" resolution looks pretty bad. "Low" resolution (most games run it) looks ok....just nowhere as crisp. I **LOVE** the Atari SC1224 monitor!

 

If you're going to get a monitor anyway (you should) then you wouldn't have to hold out for a 1040STfm; 1040STf is much more common. Have to wait a bit and keep looking to get a "deal" on SC1224 but you can, if you keep looking.

 

Is there a SCART cable I can use with a USA system so that I can go to the XRGB 2+ and then a standard VGA monitor? I also have a RGB to VGA box made by Roy Justus. The box is made to use with the Tandy Color Computer 3, but I hear it works equally well with an ST if the right cable is made.....

 

Oh and I do have a Euro SCART to Japan SCART adapter. I'm guessing I would need that as the ST cable would be euro SCART and the XRGB is the Japanese standard....

Edited April 29, 2011 by Official Ninja

[ataridave]

4jays sells the Atari SC1224 monitor for $55 and it comes with a power cord.

[ataridave]

Does the Atari 1040stf have a built-in disk drive? Are most ST games (US releases) on 3.5 inch floppy disks?

[Charlie_]

Does the Atari 1040stf have a built-in disk drive? Are most ST games (US releases) on 3.5 inch floppy disks?

 

Yes it does have a floppy drive. The little I have learned about the ST so far is the f in STf is for floppy, the m in STfm is for RF modulator. It obviously also has a floppy drive.