Virtual Pinball Ultimate Buying Guide
Step 1: Choose Your Cabinet Approach
Step 2: Choose Your PC Approach
Components
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All Components
Browse and select components for your virtual pinball machine build.
All Available Components
| Component | Necessity | Budget Tier | Mid-Range Tier | High-End Tier | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shell Construction | Necessary | DIY / Modify Old Cab Utilize an existing cabinet or build from scratch using basic plans. | DIY / Basic Flat-Pack Kit Purchase a flat-pack kit from retailers like Game Room Solutions or VirtuaPin. | Premium Flat-Pack / Custom DIY Opt for a high-quality flat-pack with premium materials or commission a custom build. | Select a tier |
| Size/Style | Necessary | Standard or Widebody Choose based on available space and desired playfield monitor size. | Widebody Recommended Offers more space for larger playfields and a more authentic feel. | Widebody Preferred Provides the most immersive experience, especially with larger monitors. | Select a tier |
| Legs (Set of 4) | Necessary | Standard Chrome/Black ($60-$70) Pinball Life, Marco Specialties. | Premium Finish / Specific Style ($100+) Powder coated, specific game style from specialty retailers. | Select a tier | |
| Leg Brackets (x4) | Necessary | Standard ($7 each) Amazon, Pinball Life. | Heavy Duty / Specific Style ($10+ each) Pinball Life, Marco Specialties for reinforced or styled brackets. | Select a tier | |
| Leg Bolts (x8) | Necessary | Standard (<$1 each) Hardware store, Amazon. | Standard / Black Finish (<$1 each) Hardware store, Amazon, or specialty pinball sites for black. | Select a tier | |
| Leg Levelers (x4) | Necessary | Standard ($1.50 each) Amazon, Pinball Life. | Heavy Duty / Large Foot ($2+ each) Pinball Life, Marco Specialties for more robust options. | Select a tier | |
| Side Rails (Set of 2) | Necessary | Basic Stainless/Raw ($50+) Pinball Life. May require finishing. | WPC Stainless / Black ($50-$60) Pinball Life, Marco Specialties. Common styles. | Premium / Button Guard / Custom ($60-$100+) Specific game style, custom finish, or integrated button guards. | Select a tier |
| Lockdown Bar | Necessary | Standard Width ($70) / Custom Budget Pinball Life. Custom might involve DIY solutions. | Standard / Widebody ($70-$100) Pinball Life, Marco Specialties. Ensure correct width for your cabinet. | Widebody / Fire Button / Custom ($100-$230+) Pinball Life for Williams/Stern style with fire button recess. | Select a tier |
| Lockdown Bar Receiver | Necessary | Standard WPC ($80) Pinball Life. Ensure compatibility with lockdown bar. | Standard WPC ($80) Pinball Life. | WPC / Stern Fire Button ($80) Pinball Life. Check compatibility with specific fire button lockdown bars. | Select a tier |
| Playfield Glass/Acrylic | Necessary | Acrylic / Used Glass Local plastics supplier for acrylic, check local classifieds for used tempered glass. | Tempered Glass Local glass shop, Pinball Life (shipping can be an issue for large glass). | Tempered Glass (Low-Iron Optional) Local glass shop for low-iron (e.g., "Starphire"), Vizio/InvisiGlass for premium anti-reflective. | Select a tier |
| Backbox Hinges/Latch | Necessary | Standard Hardware Hardware store, salvage parts. Basic hinges and a simple latch. | Standard Hardware / Pinball Specific Pinball Life for standard pinball hinges and latches. | Premium / Quick Release Pinball Life, Marco Specialties. Potentially quick-release or heavy-duty options. | Select a tier |
| Coin Door | Optional | Omit / Blank Door ($80) / Basic Button Panel Pinball Life for blank doors. A simple panel with start/exit buttons. | Blank / Data East ($80-$100) / Basic WPC Pinball Life, eBay for used. Functional but may not have all features. | WPC 2-Slot ($200) / Custom / SuzoHapp Pinball Life, SuzoHapp. Authentic look with dual coin slots or custom panel with integrated USB ports. | Select a tier |
| Decals/Artwork | Optional | Paint Only / Simple Vinyl Local sign shop for simple vinyl cuts. Solid color paint. | Pre-Designed Set ($170+) GameOnGrafix, RetroRefurbs, ArcadeGraphix. Wide selection of themes. | Custom Artwork / Pre-Applied ($250+) Hire a graphic designer, custom print shops. Some cabinet kits offer pre-applied artwork. | Select a tier |
| Ventilation/Fans | Necessary | Passive Vents / Basic Fans Drill holes for passive ventilation. Basic 80mm/120mm PC fans from Amazon. Check Price | Case Fans (120mm) Amazon, Newegg for quality PC fans (e.g., Noctua, Arctic). Strategically placed for airflow. | Multiple Fans / ARGB Fans / Fan Guards Amazon for ARGB fans. Custom 3D printed or metal fan guards for aesthetics and safety. | Select a tier |
| Fasteners | Necessary | Basic Screws/Bolts Local hardware store. Ensure variety for wood, metal, and components. | Assorted Quality Fasteners Bolt Depot, McMaster-Carr. Specific types like T-nuts, wood screws, machine screws. | Specific Pinball Fasteners (Black Carriage, Lock Nuts) Pinball Life, Marco Specialties for authentic black carriage bolts, lock nuts, etc. | Select a tier |
| Speaker Panel | Necessary | DIY Plywood/MDF Cut to size based on your backbox monitor and speaker choices. | DIY / Basic Pre-Cut Panel ($40+) SpeakerPanel.com, VirtuaPin. May offer standard DMD cutouts. | Pre-Cut Panel / Acrylic Cover ($40-$130+) SpeakerPanel.com. Custom configurations, potentially with an acrylic overlay for a clean look. | Select a tier |
| Monitor Mounting | Necessary | DIY Wood Brackets Simple wood supports screwed into the cabinet sides for playfield and backglass monitors. | DIY / VESA Mounts / Kit Brackets Use standard VESA wall mounts adapted for cabinet use. VirtuaPin mounting kits. Check Price | Secure Custom Mount / Pivot Mount Custom fabricated metal brackets. Heavy-duty TV mounts (check VESA) for playfield serviceability. | Select a tier |
| Wire Management | Recommended | Cable Clips / Raceways Amazon for cable management kits. Adhesive clips and plastic raceways for cleaner routing. | Terminal Blocks / Sleeving / Raceways / Cable Combs Amazon, electronics suppliers. Braided sleeving for aesthetics, terminal blocks for organized power distribution. | Select a tier | |
| CPU | Necessary | Older i3/i5 / Ryzen 3/5 Used market (eBay), Aliexpress for older Ryzen. Aim for 4 cores minimum. | Current Gen i5 / Ryzen 5 Amazon, Newegg (e.g., Ryzen 5 5600X/7600X, Intel i5-12400/13400). Solid performance for most tables. Check Price | Current Gen i7/i9 / Ryzen 7/9 Amazon, Newegg (e.g., Ryzen 7 7800X3D, Intel i7-13700K). For high refresh rates and future-proofing. Check Price | Select a tier |
| GPU | Necessary | GTX 1050Ti / 1650 / RX 570 Used market (eBay). Check for "low profile" if space is tight. Capable of 1080p60 on many tables. | RTX 3060/Ti / RX 6700XT Amazon, Newegg. Excellent for 1080p/1440p high refresh or 4K60. Consider power draw and PSU. Check Price | RTX 4070/Ti / 4080+ / RX 7800XT/7900XTX Amazon, Newegg. For 4K high refresh rates and demanding visual settings. Ensure it fits the case and PSU can handle. Check Price | Select a tier |
| RAM | Necessary | 16GB DDR4/DDR5 Amazon, Newegg. DDR5 for newer CPUs/motherboards. 3200MHz CL16 for DDR4 is a good spot. Check Price | 16GB - 32GB DDR5 Amazon, Newegg. High speed, low latency DDR5 (e.g., 6000MHz CL30). 32GB for heavy multitasking or future-proofing. Check Price | Select a tier | |
| Storage (SSD) | Necessary | 250GB - 500GB SATA SSD Amazon, Newegg (e.g., Crucial MX500, Samsung 870 EVO). Enough for OS and a good selection of tables. Check Price | 500GB - 1TB NVMe SSD Amazon, Newegg (e.g., Samsung 970/980 EVO, WD Black SN770). Faster load times and more space. Check Price | 1TB - 2TB+ NVMe SSD (Gen4/Gen5) Amazon, Newegg (e.g., Samsung 980 Pro/990 Pro, WD Black SN850X). Blazing speeds, ample storage for extensive libraries. Check Price | Select a tier |
| Motherboard | Necessary | Basic Compatible Board Match CPU socket and RAM type. Check used market or budget new (e.g. A320/B450 for AM4 Ryzen, H610 for Intel 12/13th gen). | Mid-Range Chipset (B-series) B550/B650 for Ryzen, B660/B760 for Intel. Good VRMs, features, and I/O. Check Price | Feature-Rich Chipset (Z/X-series) X570/X670 for Ryzen, Z690/Z790 for Intel. Overclocking support, more M.2 slots, better audio. Check Price | Select a tier |
| PC PSU | Necessary | 400W - 500W Bronze Reputable brands like Corsair, EVGA, Seasonic (check PSU Tier List). Ensure enough wattage for components. Check Price | 550W - 750W Bronze/Gold Corsair RMx, EVGA G series, Seasonic Focus. Modular cables recommended for clean build. Check Price | 750W - 1000W+ Gold/Platinum High-end models from Corsair, Seasonic, BeQuiet!. For power-hungry GPUs and ample headroom. Check Price | Select a tier |
| Case/Mounting | Necessary | Used Case / Open Mount Old PC case or mount directly to cabinet wood using motherboard standoffs. | Standard PC Case (mATX/ATX) Cooler Master, Fractal Design, Lian Li - ensure GPU clearance and good airflow. Mount inside cabinet. Check Price | PC Case / Custom Rack / Drawer Slides Premium cases or custom integrated mounting solutions like a slide-out drawer for easy access. | Select a tier |
| Cooling | Necessary | Stock CPU Cooler / Basic Fans Cooler included with CPU (if any), basic case fans. Ensure adequate airflow in cabinet. | Aftermarket CPU Cooler / Case Fans Cooler Master Hyper 212, Noctua NH-U12S, Arctic P12 fans. Quieter and more effective cooling. Check Price | Premium CPU Cooler / Multiple Case Fans / AIO Noctua NH-D15, AIO liquid coolers (Corsair, Arctic Liquid Freezer II). For overclocked CPUs or silent operation. Check Price | Select a tier |
| Network | Recommended | Onboard Ethernet / USB WiFi Most motherboards have Ethernet. Amazon for USB WiFi adapters if needed. Check Price | Onboard Ethernet / Good WiFi Motherboard with Intel WiFi 6/6E or PCIe WiFi card for stable connection. | Onboard Ethernet / High-Speed WiFi Motherboard with 2.5Gb+ Ethernet and WiFi 6E/7 for fastest speeds and low latency. | Select a tier |
| Operating System | Necessary | Windows 10/11 Home Official Microsoft retailer or key sites (use caution). Ensure a legitimate license. | Windows 10/11 Home/Pro Official Microsoft retailer. Pro offers features like BitLocker. | Windows 10/11 Pro Official Microsoft retailer for Pro features. Consider debloating scripts for performance. | Select a tier |
| Playfield Monitor | Necessary | 32"-40" 1080p 60Hz TV/Monitor Used TVs from Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist. De-case for fit. Important to check input lag. | 40"-43" 1080p/1440p 120Hz+ Monitor/TV Look for deals on gaming monitors or 4K TVs with good response times. Amazon, Best Buy. Check Price | 43"-50" 1440p/4K 120Hz+ Gaming Monitor/OLED LG OLED TVs (C-series), high refresh rate gaming monitors (e.g., Samsung Odyssey, Acer Predator). Requires powerful GPU. Check Price | Select a tier |
| Backglass Monitor | Necessary | 24"-27" 1080p 60Hz Used Monitor/TV Used monitors are plentiful and cheap. Check local thrift stores or online marketplaces. | 27"-32" 1080p 60Hz Monitor/TV New budget monitors from Amazon, Best Buy. IPS panel for better viewing angles. Check Price | 32"-43" 1080p/1440p/4K 60Hz Monitor/TV Larger size for impact, potentially 4K for crisp static images. May require custom backbox build. Check Price | Select a tier |
| DMD Display | Optional | Omit / Small LCD for DMD Sim ($40+) Small 7-10" LCD screens from Amazon, often used for Raspberry Pi. Check Price | 15.6" LCD Panel ($80+) Commonly used for virtual DMDs, available on Amazon/eBay. Often sold as "portable monitors". Check Price | 15.6" LCD Panel (High Quality) ($100+) Look for panels with good brightness and contrast. Amazon is generally safer than eBay for reliability. Check Price | Select a tier |
| Topper Display | Optional | N/A | Omit Not necessary for gameplay. | Widescreen LCD (1920x515) ($150+) Specialized widescreen displays for decorative toppers. Amazon, AliExpress. Check Price | Select a tier |
| Buttons (Set of 8-10) | Necessary | Sanwa/Happ Style ($3-5 each) SuzoHapp, Arcade Shock. Higher quality, more durable buttons. Check Price | Illuminated / Premium ($5-10+ each) LED buttons, higher quality switches (e.g., Cherry MX). Pinball Life, specialty arcade shops. Check Price | Select a tier | |
| Plunger/Launch Button | Necessary | Analog Plunger w/ Launch Button ($60+) Integrated analog plunger and launch button assembly. Pinball Life, VirtuaPin. Check Price | Select a tier | ||
| Encoder/Controller Board | Necessary | Zero Delay USB Encoder ($15+) Amazon, eBay. Simple USB encoder for buttons. Limited inputs. Check Price | IPAC / Pinscape ($40-$100+) Ultimarc IPAC, Pinscape controller (KL25Z/KL26Z board). More inputs, supports analog plunger and feedback. Check Price | Pinscape (KL25Z/KL26Z) / Specialized Boards ($100+) Pinscape for maximum flexibility and features (DOF, SSF). Specialty boards for specific needs. Check Price | Select a tier |
| Wiring Harness | Necessary | DIY Wiring Purchase wires, connectors, and crimp tools. Time consuming. | Custom Harness / Kit Specific ($20+) Harnesses designed for specific encoder boards or cabinet kits. Check Price | Select a tier | |
| Backbox Speakers (Set of 2) | Necessary | Used PC Speakers / Budget Car Speakers ($20+) Thrift stores, online marketplaces. Basic 2.0 or 2.1 PC speakers. | Quality PC Speakers / Component Speakers ($50+) Logitech Z407, Edifier R1280T. Or car component speakers with a small amplifier. Check Price | High-Quality Component Speakers / Studio Monitors ($100+) Car audio component sets with external amp, or small studio monitors for clarity. Check Price | Select a tier |
| Subwoofer | Recommended | Omit / Use 2.1 PC Speaker Sub Rely on backbox speakers for bass. | Small Powered Subwoofer ($80+) Dayton Audio SUB-800, Polk PSW10. Adds significant low-end impact. Check Price | Larger Powered Subwoofer ($150+) Dayton Audio SUB-1000/1200, Klipsch R-10SWi. For deeper, more powerful bass. Check Price | Select a tier |
| Surround Sound Feedback (SSF) | Optional | Omit Focus on standard audio. | Basic SSF Setup ($150+) 4x Exciters, 1x Bass Shaker, 7.1 USB Sound Card, PSU, Amplifier(s). Check Price | Advanced SSF Setup ($300+) 6-8x Exciters, 2x Bass Shakers, Dedicated SSF Amplifier, 7.1 Sound Card, PSU. Check Price | Select a tier |
| Audio Amplifier(s) | Necessary (for passive speakers/SSF) | Omit (if using powered speakers) Use powered PC speakers. | Multi-Channel Amp (for SSF) ($100+) Dayton Audio MCA2250, dedicated multi-channel amplifier for exciters and shakers. Check Price | Select a tier | |
| LED Strip Lighting (Addressable) | Optional | Omit / Basic Static LEDs Simple single-color LED strips. | WS2812B/SK6812 Strips ($20+ per 5m) Amazon, AliExpress. Addressable LEDs for dynamic effects (requires controller). Check Price | High Density / COB Addressable LEDs ($40+ per 5m) Higher LED count per meter, COB for diffused look. More vibrant effects. Check Price | Select a tier |
| LED Controller (for Addressable) | Necessary (if using Addressable LEDs) | Arduino/Teensy ($20+) Program a microcontroller to control LEDs (requires coding knowledge). | Pinscape (KL25Z/KL26Z) ($40+) Can control addressable LEDs via DOF. Requires firmware setup. Check Price | Dedicated LEDWiz / Falcon Controller ($60+) Purpose-built LED controllers for virtual pinball. Easier setup for many. Check Price | Select a tier |
| Strobe Lights | Optional | Omit Focus on other effects. | High Power LED Strobes ($20+ each) Brighter, faster strobing. Requires a relay or mosfet board for control via DOF. Check Price | Select a tier | |
| Beacon Lights | Optional | Omit Focus on other effects. | Authentic Pinball Beacons ($30+ each) Pinball Life, Marco Specialties. Requires relay/mosfet board for control. Check Price | Select a tier | |
| Contactors/Relays | Optional (for mechanical feedback) | Omit (use SSF) Rely on Surround Sound Feedback. | Small Relays ($5+ each) Amazon, electronics suppliers. For controlling small 12V/5V devices. Check Price | Contactors (24V/125V) ($10+ each) Authentic mechanical feedback. Requires a separate power supply and mosfet/relay board. Check Price | Select a tier |
| Shaker Motor | Optional | Omit (use Bass Shakers) Rely on Bass Shakers for vibration. | Authentic Pinball Shaker Motor ($50+) Pinball Life, Marco Specialties. Requires motor controller board and PSU. Check Price | Select a tier | |
| Gear Motor | Optional | Omit Focus on other effects. | Authentic Pinball Gear Motor ($40+) Pinball Life, Marco Specialties. Requires motor controller board. Check Price | Select a tier | |
| Flasher LEDs (RGB) | Optional | Omit Rely on LED strips. | High Power RGB Flashers ($10+ each) Brighter, more vibrant colors. Requires mosfet/relay board for control. Check Price | Select a tier | |
| Power Distribution | Necessary | Power Strips / Basic Wiring Standard power strips and direct wiring. | Terminal Blocks / Distribution Board ($20+) Organized power distribution using terminal blocks or pre-built boards. Check Price | Fused Distribution Board / Solid State Relays ($50+) Fused boards for safety, Solid State Relays for quiet switching of high-power devices. Check Price | Select a tier |
| Wiring & Connectors | Necessary | Basic Wire Assortment Assorted gauge wires and basic connectors (crimp or solder). | Quality Wire / JST Connectors / Heat Shrink ($30+) Proper gauge wire, JST connectors for clean modular wiring, heat shrink for insulation. Check Price | Premium Wire / Molex Connectors / Sleeving ($50+) High-quality flexible wire, Molex connectors for robust connections, braided sleeving for aesthetics. Check Price | Select a tier |
| Mounting Hardware | Necessary | Basic Screws/Brackets Hardware store assortment. | Assorted Brackets / Stand-offs / T-nuts ($20+) Specific mounting hardware for components like monitors, PC, boards. Check Price | Custom Mounts / 3D Printed Parts ($50+) Design and print custom brackets or mounts for a clean installation. | Select a tier |
| Tools | Necessary | Basic Hand Tools Screwdrivers, wire strippers, crimpers, drill. | Quality Hand Tools / Soldering Iron ($50+) Good quality tools for reliability and ease of use. Soldering iron for connections. Check Price | Specialty Tools / Multimeter / Heat Gun ($100+) Multimeter for troubleshooting, heat gun for heat shrink, specialty crimpers. Check Price | Select a tier |
| Surge Protector | Necessary | UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) ($100+) Provides battery backup during outages and superior surge protection. Check Price | Select a tier | ||
| USB Hub (Powered) | Recommended | Omit / Unpowered Hub May have issues with multiple devices. | Powered USB 3.0 Hub ($20+) Ensures enough power for all USB devices (encoders, sound cards, etc.). Check Price | Select a tier | |
| HDMI/DisplayPort Cables | Necessary | Fiber Optic HDMI/DisplayPort (for long runs) ($50+) For long cable runs without signal degradation. Check Price | Select a tier | ||
| Internal PC Cables | Necessary | Included with Components SATA cables with motherboard, PSU cables with PSU. | Custom Sleeved Cables ($50+) Precisely measured and sleeved cables for a clean look. | Select a tier | |
| Cabinet Feet/Castors | Recommended | Omit / Basic Pads Cabinet sits directly on floor or basic felt pads. | Select a tier | ||
| Service Outlet | Optional | Omit Use external power strip. | Select a tier | ||
| USB Pass-through | Optional | Omit Access PC USB ports directly. | Select a tier | ||
| Volume Knob | Recommended | Software Control Control volume via Windows or front-end software. | Select a tier |
Your Build List
Select components or a kit above to build your list.
Conclusion
Building a virtual pinball machine is a rewarding project that combines woodworking, electronics, and software skills. By carefully planning and choosing components based on your budget and desired features, you can create a fantastic virtual pinball experience.