APU powered NES PC

J

JamesGoodfella

New member
After disappointing TTL by not using the forums for my build log... Here I am!

I'm in the process of building a NES PC.

Specs:
Motherboard: MSI A88XI V2
Processor: AMD A10-7870k
Cooler: Corsair H5 SF
Ram: Vulcan 8GB (2x4GB) 2133MHz kit
PSU: Some tiny unbranded psu - not the typical pico psu as I don;t want a hefty power brick to carry!

TVOQoYm.jpg
 
I did measure before ordering the cooler but damn, going to be a tight fit. I already know it’s too tall for the case but I am going to see if I’m able to trim the brackets to reduce the height. If it’s no use, I’ll order a Silverstone AR06.
DKRTtGZ.jpg

-Pants optional

Trimmed the bottom case slightly to do a test fit of the motherboard and PSU, couldn’t do anymore as my Dremel 3000 randomly died on me so I’ll bring that into college and see if it can be saved.
2TRugYc.jpg

B4UpOmI.jpg

I plan on using a metal motherboard tray which will be modified to hold the motherboard and the PSU, like a removable motherboard tray but it’ll be secured to the case.
 
I'm loving this idea.

Can a mod please merge the top two posts? There was no reason when it needed to be two posts and not one.
 
Well each post is a progress update so I'd have thought it makes sense split them up rather than just waiting til I've finished and making one post.
 
JamesGoodfella said:
Well each post is a progress update so I'd have thought it makes sense split them up rather than just waiting til I've finished and making one post.
Click to expand...

It is technically against the rules to double post, though I am not sure if a progress update like this breaks the rules....

Looks good though. Consider me subbed to this project.
 
WYP said:
It is technically against the rules to double post, though I am not sure if a progress update like this breaks the rules....

Looks good though. Consider me subbed to this project.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't think build logs would count for that.
Hope the cooler fits - should be a nice end result!
 
Cool idea! :)

WYP said:
It is technically against the rules to double post, though I am not sure if a progress update like this breaks the rules....

Looks good though. Consider me subbed to this project.
Click to expand...

We tend to be a bit more relaxed when it comes to consecutive posting on build logs and leave it up to the OP to structure it how they want.. unless it becomes unreadable of course. :)
 
SPS said:
Cool idea! :)



We tend to be a bit more relaxed when it comes to consecutive posting on build logs and leave it up to the OP to structure it how they want.. unless it becomes unreadable of course. :)
Click to expand...

OK cool. Thanks for the clarification.
 
That PSU looks awfully alot like some of the PSUs that are used in XPC shuttle PCs. They do tend to die after a few years. Where did you get that psu from?
 
barnsley said:
That PSU looks awfully alot like some of the PSUs that are used in XPC shuttle PCs. They do tend to die after a few years. Where did you get that psu from?
Click to expand...

Yup! It's a shuttle PSU, it was as eBay jobbie about a year ago. Got it cheap so if it does die i'll buy a new one.. saying that though, I've not even tested any of the hardware I've bought!
 
Hi all,
Another friend has lent me their Dremel so the NES project is back on!
Cut out the hole for the PSU on the right side.
DoV38db.jpg

All the edges are rough and need finishing but the bulk of the cutting has been completed.
nsqEizT.jpg

With the PSU in, it's a ridiciuosdly snug fit.. top and bottom of the NES are touching the PSU!
i5vCCMe.jpg


Now that most of it has been cut out, I will make a IO shield holder which will be wide enough for the PSU to bolt on using the 4 screws And I will see if I can bend it so it can act like a motherboard tray too.. if you guys follow. I'll jump on Google Sketchup later tonight and draw a extremely rough model. (Would use Solidworks but I'm not going down the super precise route like I would in work as I'm doing this all to eye)

As for the huge cut out I've made in the floor of the NES, I may fibre glass it as it's so flimsy it'll snap in half and I rather not have to go out and find a faulty NES again.
 
CAD model done, nothing special just to aid with explaining my plans.
Byy4bDv.png

YoUX1XK.png

Ideally I'd like to be able to just push the IO shield into the back of the NES
 
I'm going to try to fit in a SSD somewhere inside the NES but to keep the whole build themed to my NES, i'm going to convert a NES cartridge into a hard drive. :cool:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Convert-a-NES-Game-Cartridge-into-an-Extern/?ALLSTEPS

Also having second thoughts on whether that corsair H5SF will actually fit, even if I modify the mounts to lower it. So I may go with the Noctua NH-L12, I've always had a soft spot for Noctua's products.. Used to be able to overclock my 3570k to 4.8Ghz and it will kept it cool enough to use! The NH-L12 is 66mm without the 120mm fan on top which will be perfect, still enough to cool my APU.:confused:

As I don't really plan to make the inside super tidy like previous builds, I'll just use some self amalgamating tape and tidy up all the psu wires. :rock:

Ordered some mesh for all the holes and a A3 sheet of clear acrylic, taking notes form ungreedy's NES 3.0 build. He seems to have it all figured out well and it definitely shows
 
RobM said:
How are you going to deal with heat and airflow with such a small unit?
Click to expand...

Probably end up cutting a vent in the right side(if you look from the front) of the top half of the case. There already is a vent in the to which runs the length of the case anyway. I may cut open the top vent a little more then just put some super fine mesh to reduce the amount of dust that gets into the case.
 
So when I was looking at the H5SF specs today, I checked the total height which was 84mm I was sure I'd simply be able to cut the bracket to reduce the height to something that would fit inside the chassis.

I was wrong. I checked to see how flexiable the hoses are to actually allow me to squish the pump/block right up to the rad but I can't do it without putting serious strain on the hoses and even then.. I can't get the block to line up with the brackets. To make things worse I miscalucated the depth - thought it would be a snug fit in the nes in this case it's just a few mil oversize. Seriously gutted about this.:eek:

Fkj7Hoo.jpg

Sorry for potato, using a chinese phone because it has a 6,000mAh Battery and the camera is horrendous. Will use my slr for final photos don't you guys worry. :cool:
But yeah, it's far too big and if I did make it fit the rad would have to be sticking out (not happening :cussing: )


Anyway, I'll be going with the Noctua NH-L12 instead. :D
Also fitted the APU and RAM tonight, just because I've got nothing to do until parts arrive.
YVDqMrx.jpg


PS selling Corsair H5SF cooler :)
 
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