My cabinet is a i3 [email protected],and it runs just about everything I have tried (Gradius 4 runs,but slows down when the dragons come spiraling out)
and my desktop is a i5 [email protected],and TBH I havent tried running MAME on it yet(have only had it for a little over 2 months),me thinks I will have to hook up the usb HDD to it and try running some of the more demanding MAME games.I think I shall do that now!
Personally if $$$ is a issue,I recommend the i5 over the i7,only if $$ is a issue,if not then its i7 all the way