Which MVS mobo?

[ave]

Alright, I'm very fresh to all this MVS stuff. Not to the games obviously, it's just that I am looking to buy a decent MVS motherboard and I don't know what would quite fitting me.

6-slot: I've heard those do often have issues (like 1 slot won't work?)
4-slot: expensive
2-slot: what about this, any common failures here?
1-slots: Recommendable for users who like to switch games often?

Generally I'd be totally glad with a 1-slot, but I have some doubts about the inserting. I don't want to feel like I have to rip someone's guts out when I want to change a game, so are those recommended for people who change games rather often? Are the carts close enough to the plastic that insertion marks will occur when inserted *tenderly*? :033:

/edit
I should add that I am not going to use those w/superguns, so no need for controller ports / headphone jacks ect.

[_SD_]

I've had most models of MVS over the years and I'd personally recommend either a 4-slot or a nice new MV-1C if it's going in a cab.

The MV-4 has a socketed BIOS so it's easy to switch it out for a UniBIOS. I'm also lazy as hell so the whole "multi" part of MVS appeals to me greatly. I had one sat in a Super Neo 29 Candy and it worked perfectly fine for years. I have to admit that Garou and Last Blade permanently occupied the first two slots for the whole time I had it.

Failing that, I'd go for an MV-1C as it's the newest and final model SNK produced. Nice and small and you actually have the chance of finding these NOS if that bothers you. Only thing is that you'll have to mod it for stereo output and the BIOS is soldered in.

If you're looking to consolize an MVS, then I'd recommend a MV-2 (get the slightly smaller one) as it's just a case of wiring in Scart and a PSU (at it's simplest). The MV-1C is also good for consolizing if you can find/make a nice casing. More work but definately worth it for the much smaller size.

[Calpis]

I like the 4 slot, it being the original. 1 slots, especially later revisions with higher integration are more reliable though.

[alphagamer]

2 slots have a memory card slot, if you want to use that feature.
You can save the stage you are on and return later, good feature for hard games like Magician Lord.

[bacteria]

Memory card slot - can you get one of these for a single slot MV-1B (I have one of these).

[alphagamer]

Not for the MV-1B but for the MV-1

[_SD_]

The memory card reader is the MV-IC, which seems to cause some confusion with the MV-1C MVS board. I've never owned a Neo memory card or ever thought about using one. I only really thought it was so the flash rich kids could go down the local arcade and show-off about having a Home Cart system (15 years ago) :dance:

[bacteria]

So, there are obviously various types of MVS board out there. Anyone care to list all the ones available, and pros and cons of each; what each can and can't do the others can, power needs, etc etc? Would be interesting!

[Trenton_net]

I noted that someone was selling a 4-slot mobo, but for all the games it displays a slight tint of green. Is this something that can be fixed or is it a serious mobo defect? Do many 4-slots have this problem, or is this a one-off? I should note that the board was consolized, so there is always a chance that the modder messed up.

[ave]

So, there are obviously various types of MVS board out there. Anyone care to list all the ones available, and pros and cons of each; what each can and can't do the others can, power needs, etc etc? Would be interesting!

Here you go:
http://www.hardmvs.com/html/PCBcompare.htm

The best page on MVS in my opinion. No advice on i.e. common problems with the hardware though, thus this thread.

[mrmark0673]

I've been running a big, goofy, MV-1 for a while now without complaints, but I'm in the market for a Neo candy so I can go back to a 4 slot. 6 slots can be a bitch and the take a lot of juice to run, I don't need the extra 2 games that bad.

If you're going the consolized route, MV-2F seems to be the way to go, especially with the joystick ports right there. The 1C's are cool too because of the vertical slot, tiny little guys too.

[ave]

I'm not going to consolize the mobo, it's going to be used in my jamma cabinet. That's why I asked if changing games can be a hassle with a 1-slot, if I had it open in front of me like a console I wouldn't mind about that :)

[alecjahn]

Carts can be tight, so mounting the board to something super solid will help make it less annoying. I've always worried about swapping carts too much since that normally wouldn't happen in a real arcade, but I'd assume there wouldn't be much of an issue.

[_SD_]

There are two different sizes of 2 and 4 slot boards which HardMVS fails to mention. On the 2-slot boards it's only about 6cm difference in width but it really is noticable; it's a big enough PCB as it is. The cart slots on the smaller MV-2FS are also more centered which is good if you're consolizing.

MV-1C boards have a very tight fit due to the plastic casing. The holes in the metal casings on 2 and 4 slot boards are quite generous and won't scratch if you're careful.

[channelmaniac]

Close...

Off the top of my head there are:

1 type of 6 slot boards: MV6
4 types of 4 slot boards: MV4, MV4F, MV4FS, MV4FT
2 types of 2 slot boards: MV2, MV2F

And a LOT of 1 slot boards, including (but probably not all): MV1, MV1F, MV1FS, MV1B, and MV1C

The 2, 4, and 6 slot boards along with the older MV1 all have issues with bad capacitors in the audio section. I sell cap kits on my website to remedy those.

They ALL have problems with leaking batteries. The MV4 crosshatch of death problem occurs when the battery leakage eats traces under the battery.

The MV2 and MV2F can have vertical lines thanks to a failed NE0-257 IC. Not very common, but I've replaced several over the past couple of years.

They ALL have problems with corroded traces thanks to rodent damage, liquid spills, crappy production line processes (poor cleaning after manufacturing), and battery leakage.

If you hadn't heard by now, I specialize in repairing Neo Geo boards. If you are looking for one, I sometimes have refurbished boards for sale.

RJ

[Xian Xi]

Don't forget the MV1T, looks like a MV1F except the bios is vertical.

[ave]

I've got myself an MV-1FZ now. Other than the MV-1F it is missing i.e. the controller ports, but I don't use it on a supergun so who cares. Also I had to disassemble the black plastic part to switch the original bios eprom for a unibios, but now that it's done it won't bother me no more.
I'd love to get a 2-slot because of the memory card support, but some of the crazier 1-slots would also be interesing from a collector's point of view. I've seen the 1C and 1B in real life and they look really cute.

Imagine the kids of an 1B and 6F ^^"


The 1B and 1C are circumstatious to use for playing though, as the bios is not socketed and cannot be swapped for an unibios without any soldering.

[electrochip]

MV-1FZ is pretty small and compact, great to use with a supergun or consolization.

[Parris]

I have a single slot and never had any problems swapping games over. It is sturdy enough and once attached to the board inside the jamma cabinet it is rock solid, not putting stress on any of the contacts. I also heard the 6 slot version is really unreliable and that most users end up buying a 4 slot. I've been considering it, but it's not necessary.

[alphagamer]

Yeah, the 6 slot sometimes has problems when certain games are next to each other. You have to find out the right combination, think seating arrangements at a family reunion :lol: