I made a thing

[ExodusS]

Long story short: Some years ago, my NES died and I kept it, just in case. About 3 weeks ago I decided to build a decent computer into the case, it mostly became possible because of the skylakes with low wattage and integrated GPU since the the NES case has an inexistant airflow.

I answered a lot of questions and gave extra informations about it here: Imgur link and here: r/pcmasterrace/ so don't ask where the PSU is please.

And yes, it runs AssaultCube, probably 10 of them simultaneously.

Finished product:




The parts

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- Intel Core i3-6100T 3.2GHz
- Asus H110I-PLUS D3 (mini-itx)
- Sandisk 240GB SSD
- Scythe Kodati (CPU cooler)
- Crutial Ballistix Ultra Low Profile 2 x 8GB
- PicoPSU 160W block + connector

Here is the case I used

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An old NES someone gave me years ago, was not working well anomore.

Quickly mounted everything the first day and installed W7pro

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Just in case some parts were not working I needed to assemble everything and make the computer work to see if I needed to RMA something. Launching the thing with no power button, jumper style.

First case modifications

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Everything in the case needed to be removed to gain space. I only kept 5 screw spots to hold the case.

The plan

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I did not want to fix the motherboard directly on the plastic case so I decided to fit everything on a removable woodplank. This way, if there is an issue, I just have to remove the 5 screws, the 4 screws that hold the plank to the NES case and I am free to work on the parts. I could have used styrene instead of wood but I was short in time and I had an infinite wood stock.

A big hole in the bottom of the case

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Since the NES case has almost no airflow, a hole was needed to at least let the case evacuating some heat. I decided to cut a hole in the bottom so that it's not visible.

Making the woodplank fit

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This way, it does not move even if it's not screwed yet, so that we already can work on it without having it moving.

The hole in the woodplank

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So that, the air can pass from the bottom to the case. Also, a fence will be added and it will fit between the wood and the plastic case.

Backplate hole is perfect

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It fits so well, it's not even possible to remove it by pulling or pushing it, it's held by both parts of the case.

Some O-rings to avoid twisting the plastic case while screwing the wood plank

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Since the fence was going to be between the case and the wooden plank, we needed to hold up the plank by a few millimeters, so that it wont twist the plastic case and possibly breaking it.

Adding a motherboard holder + custom SSD holder

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I took a spare Corsair C70 HDD holder because it had the holes to hold a SSD as well, cutted it and screwed it to a wood piece that was screwed to the main wood plank. The other white spot is here to hold the motherboard because only 3 of the 4 motherboard screws will be used, the 4th beeing under the power/reset buttons' PCB.

Rearanging the wires for the LED, power and reset buttons

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Also, you must remove a small metallic part in the power switch, it holds the button and it's not recommanded, not at all.

Cutting, adjusting and placing the fence

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It's a plastic fence that will protect the motherboard from case intrusions.

Screwing the cable port on the woodplank

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Placing parts

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When you open it

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Hope you enjoyed. ;)