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

Spoiler

- 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

Spoiler

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

Quickly mounted everything the first day and installed W7pro

Spoiler

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

Spoiler

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

The plan

Spoiler

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

Spoiler

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

Spoiler

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

Spoiler

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

Spoiler

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

Spoiler

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

Spoiler

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

Spoiler

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

Spoiler

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

Screwing the cable port on the woodplank

Spoiler

Placing parts

Spoiler

When you open it

Spoiler

Hope you enjoyed. ;)

[Boomhauer]

This is the greatest thing I have ever seen

[BaDMonkey]

Fucking sick bro, do you have space for a GPU if you want to upgrade later?

Spoiler

[+f0r3v3r+]

Man you screwed up that NES! O_O

...

Man.....

Just kidding - Incredible work ExodusS! Thanks for sharing...

[ExodusS]

do you have space for a GPU if you want to upgrade later?

I should have space for one kind of GTX 750ti "slim" that would take place at the SSD current place, but only if I literally cut 1/3 of the GPU's backplate, 100% savage. But then it would add two new issues, the temps and the wattage. The PicoPSU gives ~160W but it's not a 80+ so it's wise to avoid playing with the wattage limits, even if the GTX 750ti has one of the lowest wattage, under load the computer could need a lot more than 100W which becomes dangerous.

Note that it can be a lot easier to build a computer in a NES but I wanted something significantly more powerfull than a Raspberry, and especially something I can work/maintain/repair/upgrade easilly. All the parts are independant from the plastic case, everything is screwed to the woodplank which is amovible by removing the 4 screws at the bottom.

[quico]

Omg, nice job ExodusS!!!

[titiPT]

good stuff ExodusS

[CharlyMurphie]

Damn, you gotta show this guy up.

http://kotaku.com/modder-builds-small-pc...Socialflow