A Nintendo 64 Modded Into An HTPC
A modder crammed an HTPC into a Nintendo 64 chassis.
Typically this would be set aside for another PC case mod story, however modder polvorito's HTCP crammed into a Nintendo 64 chassis just couldn't wait.
After purchasing the classic console at a flea market, polvorito ripped out Nintendo's hardware and replaced its innards with Zotac's IONITX-A-E motherboard. While the board isn't listed on Zotac, it features a mini-ITX form factor, Intel's dual-core Atom 330 1.6 GHz processor, Nvidia Ion graphics, two slots for DDR2 667/800 RAM (4 GB max), Realtek ALC662 integrated audio, ten USB 2.0 ports, HDMI, and more.
"This zotac mobo has almost everything needed (sound, graphics, CPU, connectivity HDMI, Wifi N, optical out etc ), has a CPU that can work without [a] fan, has external power unit and fits nice inside a N64," polvorito said in a forum post.
For memory he inserted 2 sticks of 1 GB RAM and added a 30 GB SSD to the console's top. The controller ports had to be cut down to allow space for the motherboard, and the back of the console's chassis was modified to accommodate the IONITX's various ports. Unfortunately, the modified PC couldn't run fanless after all.
"With the N64 case closed, the processor reached 90-degrees Celsius," he said. "I tried the fan delivered with the motherboard (diameter of 60-mm, thickness of 10-mm), and it didn't fit so I cut 10-mm off the heatsink. Later I [inserted] a fan 10-mm thick [and] 70-mm [in]diameter at a slower speed. Conclusion--the temperature dropped to 40-degrees Celsius in normal usage."
According to the modder, the overall objective was to make a living room PC for watching media and surfing on the Internet. To see how this N64-themed PC was created, head here.
- Zotac,
- Nvidia,
- Nintendo,
- Intel,
- Build Your Own,
- Nintendo-64 ,
- Console ,
- HTPC ,
- Intel-Atom ,
- Nvidia-Ion
- Is an Adobe Acquisition in the Cards for Microsoft?
- Next StarCraft 2 Chapter May Come In Early 2012
- Gearbox Wants To Honor Old DNF Pre-Orders
- Ballmer: China Business Piracy A 'Real Problem'
- Details on Intel's Third-Gen SSD 25nm Refresh
- Is There an 11.6-inch MacBook on the Horizon?
- Apple Settles Backdating Lawsuit for $20.5 Million
- WD Reveals New Home DLNA Network Drive
- DNF ''Dances On Line of Decency,'' Cost $30M
- Tom's Hardware is Now Available on Kindle!
- The iPad is Coming to Walmart This Friday
- Ben Heck Makes a Xbox 360 S Slim 17'' Laptop
- Tom's Hardware Wants You: CPU Tests For 2011
- Exclusive: Microsoft Patents The Search Engine
- Intel Reports Record $11.1 Billion Revenue
- 64 GB Coming to SD Cards, USB Drives
- WD: 1TB of Digital Content Per House By 2014
- Intel Praises iPad; Makes Atom Secret 4G Weapon
Huh?
http://zotac.com/index.php?option= [...] 26&lang=en
Huh?http://zotac.com/index.php?option= [...] 26&lang=en
Might help if I use the correct URL:
http://pden.zotac.com/index.php?pa [...] t&Itemid=1
AWESOME! N64 = VINTAGE!
Awesome. These case mods stretch the borders of imagination. Kudos to the modder!
Pretty cool. I`ve still got two and a carrying case. One is broken...hmm.
But can you play Mario Kart on it?
Pretty sweet mod!
There are a lot of interesting mini-itx projects.
For example, someone crammed a computer into a Windows XP box.
There are more links on the right, including a Sega Genesis console for those who liked to do what Nintendidn't.
But can you play Mario Kart on it?
N64 emulator
if only he could get an N64 USB controller..it would literally be a PC and a true N64
that is. bad. ass.
oh man i need one.
wait what is that? NINTENDO SIXTY FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUR!!!!!!!!!!
Just pure epicness! All he needs to do is mod an N64 controller to be usb. And get the Project64 emulator.
Someone's gotta try an Atari 5200 now, you can fit a whole supercomputer inside that thing.
N64 emulator if only he could get an N64 USB controller..it would literally be a PC and a true N64
There are N64 controller to USB adapters available.
Why is the N64 white?
I will buy one of this.
1 thing to make it a bit cooler wuld be to use the game port ass a removeble hard drive that inserts ass a normal game wuld hah awuld look so epic
Thanks for posting this story! I've had a pet project on hold for a little while that involves stuffing a similar Ion board into a 2nd rev. Sega Genesis (the sleek one with the oval trim on top) and was hoping it might run passive with just convection airflow, so I appreciate the reality check as my Genesis is nowhere near as tall as the N64 and barely fits the heatsink without the fan. Oh well, hopefully the Zacate (or similar) CPUs make their way to mITX as the TDP is a lot lower than atom+9400.
While I was reading that story, the Super Mario 64 music started playing on my playlist. Nice coincidence.
"Runs well with OSx"
I could see Apple selling something like this. It really reminds me of a projector with the way he modded it.
Impressive! But how does he keep that thing cool?
Game Cube Controller>>>>>>>>>>N64 Controller... I have a USB adapter for mine
i went to the site and looked @ the whole build...It is awesome, he did a great job.
I have 1 question: The power supply is where?
I have 1 question: The power supply is where?
If you look at the pic that shows the board from above, you'll notice it doesn't have the 20+4 ATX plug, so it's the Zotec variant that has the DC-DC on the board and you use an external (included) power brick. I agree with you on the build comments- this is definitely one of the best console conversions I've seen so far.
N64 is a "classic"? I'd consider NES and genesis to be classics.. N64 is old, but personally I wouldn't give it a "classic" title. Still, interesting build. Particularly because it's one of the few HTPC builds that makes the pc look like something that really belongs in the entertainment center.
Hi guys, thanks very much for your comments, it means a lot
If only i had a spare saturn right now i would try to build based on that casing ... i loved the saturn and this N64 build inspired me to try to build a saturn HTPC including if at all possible bleu ray player (need to find a toploading player and i am afraid that will be next to impossible).
N64 is a "classic"? I'd consider NES and genesis to be classics.. N64 is old, but personally I wouldn't give it a "classic" title. Still, interesting build. Particularly because it's one of the few HTPC builds that makes the pc look like something that really belongs in the entertainment center.
I would consider anything that isn't being manufactured anymore to be called a "classic."