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.

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....

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.

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

Cyanide · 2 May 2015 at 14:59

I've got a slot cut for the HDD so it sits nicely in the bottom of the case below the motherboard

I've also been having problems getting the VGA cable in such a tiny space. I tried butchering a cable to get it in but it was still too long. I looked at a right angle adapter but there wouldn't have been space in the bottom of the case after it was angled downwards so I've had to get some supplies and make my own.

As you can see it's still going to be an unbelievably tight gap

I'll make a custom VGA cable that'll go to the back of the case and hard mount a female VGA connector next to the power connection to then connect a proper VGA cable up to go out to the monitor.

And I've also hollowed out one of the old controller ports and epoxied a female USB socket to it so I can plug my USB controller in properly.

All this soldering's making me glad I took A Level Electronics

Cyanide · 7 Sep 2015 at 10:12

Well I let this one slip a bit didn't I?!

Turns out my soldering skills aren't what they used to be and that case was a LOT tighter than I'd hoped for so I've ended up having to cut holes in the back to let cables out of rather than re-using the original ones.

However...

It held up for over 2 hours running a camera and printer for a photobooth at my best friends wedding on Saturday night without boiling itself to death (which I'm amazed at, the PSU in particular got stupidly hot!)

It was quite popular