NES PC Build

[adambean]

Thanks for the help thus far guys. Here's the current build in mind ... have a couple questions too.

Mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128568

PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104145

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115234

GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131480

Memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231460

HDD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147164

Optical:
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-UJ240-Blu-ray-Burner-DVD±RW/dp/B003AXW2YQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358825331&sr=8-1

Misc:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835119049
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200086
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812530001

Questions
1) Better/cheaper choices for the optical? Will rarely ever need/use it ...
2) Will 3x 40mm fans suffice for keeping it cool (it may run for many hours at a time)
3) Is a 300w PSU over/under kill? Will it be loud?
4) Looking at the more expensive motherboards (ASUS P8Z77 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131932), the only major difference I'm seeing is that it has 2 more USB 3.0 ports & WiFi Go. However, the Gigabyte has 2 HDMI's ... not sure what I'd need that for though. $70 for 2 USB 3.0 ports & WiFi Go ... think it's worth it?

Thanks!

 

[vrumor]

Check your messages here adambean.

 

[MauveCloud]

First thing is to check dimensions of what can fit inside. External size listed on Wikipedia for the original US-model NES is 250mm x 200mm x 89mm. Thus, you'll probably need to use a Mini-ITX board (170mm x 170mm), though MicroATX boards sometimes come as small as 171mm x 171mm. The 89mm height means you'll need a low-profile cooler for the cpu, and half-height expansion cards at most (if you can't even fit a half-height expansion card, you'll need to use on-board video).

 

[auburnfury]

I'm also building a nes pc sometime this year. I was considering this mobo but I haven't worked out the needed power req's.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128567

It has USB 3.0, HDMI, Bluetooth, and WiFi. My last desktop build had a gigabyte mobo, and I've been quite happy with it.

Interested to know what's used in your build.

 

[adambean]

Updated original post with current build ideas.

 

[adambean]

Still in debate over the mobo ... I think that's about my last major decision to make outside of possibly scaling back to a smaller SSD.

 

[Mr Rudewords]

Hi, I'm also building a NES PC and am using the same MOBO. I've gone wih 16GB RAM and the i7 3770k with the Saphire version of the 7750 LP. I calculated the load requirements to just under 300W so I chose the same PSU. I decided that the amount of heat inside that little case is going to need some serious thought on cooling (I saw a graphics card burn recently so I may be being over-cautious, but it is a plastic case also) so I've added 4x40mm fans on the left for intake and 3x40mm fans on the top vent area to spew out the heat. Lots of dremeling done!

So I think that the PSU shoud be sufficient, but I now don't have space for it in the case and I may/may not have destroyed it by removing it from the metal case to see if I could fit it better (something fell off and I'm not too sure if I soldered it back right) So I'm going with the Silverstone 450W SFX (http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=342) which I'm going to use as an external PSU, which should also reduce iternal heat.

EDIT: I've tested the PSU on an older machine and it works So I'll use it anyway!

If you're doing what I did and want the MOBO sitting right a the bottom (as you want the graphics card to fit inside). I suggest buying some PC power switches to replace the rediculously huge green PCB and switches. I found that the basic ones slide in and fit tight to the existing metal support like they were meant to be there. You can also use the existing springs to support the buttons. I shaved down the bits that the buttons fix to so that they press against the new switches.

 

[Apparishion]

Spoiler

There are several YouTube videos showing various models and builds. There are FEW of them which keep the NES stock. And even LESS of those with how-to tutorials.

Here's one of the best ones... Complete with parts list.

The Hypertindo