Project NES

Cyanide · 20 Apr 2015 at 20:08

This has probably been done a thousand times before but nevermind!

I'm in the process of building myself something a bit different for a work project. I wanted something retro so I'm squeezing a tiny mini itx pc in to an old NES and (attempting) to put a monitor in to an old TV.

It's only going to be running very basic software so I'm picked an AM1 Sempron 2650 and a basic MSI board with a single 2gb stick of RAM to keep costs and temperatures down. The power is from a mini 250w PSU and I'm using an old laptop hard drive.

I've made a start already and... it's not easy! I want to keep everything contained within the case so no external power blocks. I'm also trying to re-use the existing NES power and reset switches and power light.

And I've made a start stripping down an old TV and removing the CRT, leaving just the front glass to mount an LCD behind. The image is going to end up distorted but that's not too much of a problem.

Luggs · 20 Apr 2015 at 20:23

Haha love it! That monitor is going to be class mate. Can't wait to see more pics

Andy__C · 20 Apr 2015 at 21:46

Ace idea Cyanide, will keep an eye on the log to see how it's going

ED209 · 21 Apr 2015 at 08:07

good luck with the build.

I think the last 1 I saw was a SNES and not a NES so should be interesting to see how this goes.

phatboy · 21 Apr 2015 at 12:58

fantastic....SUBSCRIBED!

bluebeatle · 21 Apr 2015 at 13:00

That is cool. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

berryal · 21 Apr 2015 at 13:35

Looks great! Shouldn't be too hard to hook up the power/reset switches to the headers on the board. I started a similar project with a raspberry pi but never finished it, decided to try and fit it in something smaller in the end! Good luck!

Cyanide · 21 Apr 2015 at 18:34

Wow, thanks for all the positives guys! I'm gonna have to step up my game with the final presentation of it so I'm off tonight to find a rotary tool rather than using my usual hacksaw

Also, it doesn't seem right to use a standard keyboard/mouse when I've put loads of effort in to keeping it authentic... sooooo....

varkanoid · 21 Apr 2015 at 20:30

ED209 said:
good luck with the build.

I think the last 1 I saw was a SNES and not a NES so should be interesting to see how this goes.

Yeah I saw the SNES one complete with working original controller. Complete with SNES emulator. They were selling it on that well known auction site as they had made a couple of versions.

savagesam117 · 21 Apr 2015 at 21:02

This is really cool. I love stuff like this, looking forward to seeing how it's done.
You've got a subscription from me!

fantasticCG · 21 Apr 2015 at 22:42

Brilliant project m8 brings back so many good memories

manius · 22 Apr 2015 at 10:24

nice one cant wait to see this finished

Cyanide · 22 Apr 2015 at 20:48

It fits! I've had to cut a huge hole in the bottom to get the PSU in (so that'll need some epoxy to hold it in place) but I can finally get the lid back on!

Just need to figure out how to get the VGA cable out connected to the MB with next to no space and I'll be able to make some huge progress.

Robert_G · 23 Apr 2015 at 08:59

Sweet idea, can't wait to see the finished build.

PurplePhoenix · 23 Apr 2015 at 18:59

look at some right angle vga cables, you may save some space that way.

mikeggratton · 24 Apr 2015 at 12:55

Looks cool, can't wait to see it finished

flame696 · 29 Apr 2015 at 21:54

Need some more updates i want to see it finished

Andygully · 30 Apr 2015 at 07:19

love these builds they bring back memories haha

Cyanide · 30 Apr 2015 at 22:26

Sorry for the lack of updates, I've had a lot going on and I've not had much chance to do more.

I've spent tonight wiring up the switches, quick test with a multi-meter to check the wiring then a dry run before soldering. I can now turn it on and off using the NES buttons and the original NES power light is powered by the MB header

Cyanide · 1 May 2015 at 14:01

I've just finished cutting the hole in the back for the power lead and I've epoxied the PSU in place. Tonight's task is to make room for the HDD and get all the cables hooked up for a proper test