Nintendo 64 HD

[dcattena]

Hey my first idea i guess that im going through with, its basically a N64 shell with a pc inside.
It will still have the 4 front controller ports but these will be attached to 2 n64 to USB adapters.

My main use for this will be basically an n64 emulator as a n64 console, all your favorite games but in full HD which is great eye candy :D.

Ive already done some tests with some adapters and emulation on a 52" screen the games turnout fantastic along with perfect sound.

Only difficult problems im facing is fitting a mini-itx inside the console case, my measurements so far have theoretically proved that this can work im just waiting for a console ive purchased to arrive so i can get some final measurements to see if this is viable :)

Heres the list of parts i will be using:

nintendo 64 console:

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/2056/nintendo64y.jpg

controller adapters x2:

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/6241/n64usbadapter1.jpg

Zotac GeForce 9300-ITX WiFi LGA775 v3:

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/2425/zotac9300isidelg.jpg

PICOPSU-150-XT:

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/9484/pico150xtpluglg.jpg

Samsung 2.5" HDD 160GB:

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/8512/harddisk160gbsata25lg.jpg

OCZ DDR2 PC2-8500 SLI 2x1GB:

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/7735/ocz2n1066sr2gksss.jpg

SilverStone Nitrogon NT07-775 Low Profile CPU Cooler:

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/3087/27405.png


I have about 4.7cm of total height to use and the 17cm x 17cm motherboard just fits :) so theoretically it will work :D

Any feedback is welcome.

Keep checking for updates soon :)

cheers.

Dcattena

[dcattena]

Some testing screenshots with a hi-res texture addon for goldeneye64.

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/7849/goldeneye20ix9.jpg

[dcattena]

Hey just got the console, after about 6 days from ordering it, ive been hacking away at it for half an hour or so with good results just need to rest a bit with this dam sickness ive got thats lasted the past 7 days! lol heres some pics,

woo box!
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/1411/img0371b.jpg

empty shell:
http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/396/img0372n.jpg

inside:
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/8035/img0373bj.jpg

conveniently packaged screws :) including Nintendo's impossible screw bits.
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/6374/img0374py.jpg

hacking away with imitation dremel:
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/5920/img0375k.jpg

should have some diagrams up soon if i get around to it :D

cheers

[dcattena]

just cut the back half of the bottom part of the casing, worked out pretty good needs a cleanup but gives good results.

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/9003/img0376db.jpg

test fit of the motherboard size with the backhalf done.
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/43/img0377bg.jpg

[dcattena]

The bottom half cutting is complete heres some pics with a test fit of a cardboard cutout of the mobo.

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5306/img0379dn.jpg

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/9118/img0378fl.jpg


Anyone know anything about re-sanding plastic back to or close to original gloss, because now that ive cut most of this case on the inside whats a good method of fixing it up? Maybe along the lines of fine grit sandpaper and wet sanding is what i can think of.

cheers

[dcattena]

Hey just an update here, just finished cutting the top half of the case and sanded it with my nice 600 and 1200 grit sandpaper :) so smooooooooooooooth along with some buffing. I couldn't get rid of most of the deeper cuts which you can see in some of the pictures.

Another problem ive run into after doing some more measurements is that a normal 2.5" hdd wont fit inside this case alone with the components which is a problem :O luckily i have found this lil life saver:

http://sdd.toshiba.com/main.aspx?Path=StorageSolutions/PCNotebookHardDrives/MKxx33GSGSeries

A 1.8" toshiba hard drive, you can get them up to about 320gig, there a bit more expensive but after some measurements this will fit perfectly.

My sandpaper!

http://i38.tinypic.com/2q03asz.jpg

Trying out the sandpaper :)

http://i36.tinypic.com/2w2ekc9.jpg

Cut the back out from the top half of the case.

http://i35.tinypic.com/y9i1.jpg

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!! i thought this was the end of everything!

http://i34.tinypic.com/b87kv5.jpg

Top finnaly cut and sanded :) looks shiny, and all done with half a bit!

http://i35.tinypic.com/2hi1kxz.jpg


Check back later in the week for some more updates :) thanks :D

dcattena

[dcattena]

hey just a small update here with just some test fitting with a pretend motherboard and cpu cooler exact size :)

http://i35.tinypic.com/30lyl2o.jpg

Justttttttttt enought room, theres about 3 mm of space up top.

http://i33.tinypic.com/2q8byp4.jpg

All closed up

http://i37.tinypic.com/2uik8z7.jpg

[dcattena]

Thanks for the feature Trace. Just some test fitting with a new 40mm exhaust fan and the n64 adapter mounts.

Fits really snug.
http://i53.tinypic.com/ivbgr4.jpg

Adapter mounts.
http://i54.tinypic.com/2kmyyp.jpg

One of the adapter circuts.
http://i54.tinypic.com/2ciigs9.jpg

You can see the 4 wires which will be connected to the motherboards 6 onboard usb ports. The black adapter connectors will be removed and wired to the front connectors on the console.

The motherboard will arrive this week and by tuesday i should have some more parts.

Check back later in the week for more updates :)

cheers

[dcattena]

ok just got the motherboard VERY exciting! cant do much now cause its midnight just keeping you guys posted :D heres some pics of the mobo and some test fits ;D like a glove :)

http://i53.tinypic.com/bdks5k.jpg

Bunch of stuff from the box :D

http://i54.tinypic.com/65d5bd.jpg

Test fitting :D fits perfectly! woohoo

http://i51.tinypic.com/wlampe.jpg

All closed up, ill have to make a custom backing

http://i51.tinypic.com/r74mz4.jpg

Check later in the week for more updates i just gotta find some good screws and alot of washers to get this even.

Cheers

Dcattena

[dcattena]

hey just screwed the motherboard in place and the new 40mm fan, i got a box of heatshrink aswell which is fun :D and a momentary switch. All for 5 bucks which is awesome! heres some pics with a good camera this time of the overall progress :D thanks

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/1828/p9090081.jpg

http://i56.tinypic.com/20qz6tc.jpg

http://i56.tinypic.com/10geozs.jpg

Any comments welcome good or bad :D new parts should arrive in the coming week :)

cheers

Dcattena

[dcattena]

Ok its been ages and this project is goin pretty slowly but i got the cpu cooler today so i can power it up now with a spare psu i have. Works very well, the cooler is ridiculously short....not short enough tho ill have to trim a bit off the top half to get the case closed up again. Im thinking of installing a operating system on a usb and boot off that, or else i might just have a separate drive plugged into the usb which will have everything on it, i dont mind the hdd being outside the case. Heres some pics of the testing and setup hopefully ill get the psu soon and close it all up :D

Any suggestions for the hdd?

coooler box :D
http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/9065/p1010086lx.jpg

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/5285/p1010087e.jpg

installed:
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/6982/p1010088p.jpg

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/6988/p1010089f.jpg

Works perfect ;D

http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/4127/p1010091f.jpg

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/1881/p1010090t.jpg

[dcattena]

Hijacking my dvd drive for some xp installs im trying to do onto a usb :S proper power supply is on order. :)

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/3951/p1010092h.jpg

[dcattena]

Just a quick one, ive decided on a storage solution. Im going to have 2 x 32Gb USB flash drives inside a game cartridge which is then attached in the slot.
1 USB is for the operating system which ive decided will be Ubuntu :D and second is media / roms which can be removable so i can update the data on it.

Psu is coming soon i hope :) other than that theres nothing else really happening.

Also I would like to start a vote for which game should be in the cartridge slot for the final product.
This has to be well known and a great game all round. Just post what you think it should be and ill decide in a few days :)

Cheers

[dcattena]

Just wired up the controller adapters, this is where they will sit and both ports plug straight into the motherboard usb. They both still work....phew... i still need some old n64 parts like the controller ports which i still cant fine! If anyone can help that would be awesome.

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/515/p1010107pa.jpg

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/3239/p1010109db.jpg

Thanks

[dcattena]

Just some quick shots of the top half screwed on. Added the plastic power indicator at the front, it will house 2 LED's both HDD activity and power on, and the power button set in place.

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/1160/p1010110y.jpg

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/5746/p1010111o.jpg

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/6986/p1010112c.jpg

[dcattena]

Finnaly found someone who has controller ports :) nevermind1234 referenced me to Bacteria mod forums who had some for sale for a really good price :). Got the cartridge today :D poor F1 Pole Position 64 was a good game..... anyway heres some pics of the cartridge, its going to house 2 x 32gig usb's.

Thanks again nevermind and Bacteria :D

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/9106/p1010114q.jpg

[dcattena]

just bolted the cartridge into the case :)

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/5787/p1010117s.jpg

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/676/p1010123wg.jpg

[dcattena]

DONT PANIC!!.. Goldeneye was not harmed in the making of this picture... you can breathe :)

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/168/p1010125h.jpg

[dcattena]

WHAT THIS!?

http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/120/p1010126p.jpg

woo power supply :)

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/2568/p1010128h.jpg

Installed after some re allocation of the power pins :)

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/4017/p1010130zo.jpg

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/8692/p1010131x.jpg

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/2258/p1010132dj.jpg

Power plug will go to the wall adapter which is on order soon.. argh i hate waiting for parts :(

[dcattena]

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........................................_\........ ..._,-%.......`\
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[dcattena]

just some more glamor shots with psu in place, i had to rewire some psu cables because they were facing the wrong way :( and nice neatness with my heatshrink :D

Pierce Brosnan is always watching.
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/2831/p1010133v.jpg

Need a back cover still
http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/2010/p1010134s.jpg

You can see the psu and wires here.
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/6494/p1010136l.jpg

Some rewiring.
http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/816/p1010139je.jpg

[polvorito]

actually I was lucky... :) I found an old radio in my garage and took a push button
http://nsm04.casimages.com/img/2010/10/08/1010081222571176896887512.jpg
and 3 way switch
http://nsm04.casimages.com/img/2010/10/08/1010081222571176896887511.jpg

They where so small that I though it could fit in
Maybe you can find something similar in an electronic shop, maybe on ebay, if you look for "micro switch " or try to find some in an old case, maybe an old keyboard?

I cut the original buttons, filled the with them mastic to add holes for retaining
http://nsm04.casimages.com/img/2010/10/08//mini_1010081222571176896887510.jpg (http://www.casimages.com/img.php?i=1010081222571176896887510.jpg)

mounted looks like that
http://nsm04.casimages.com/img/2010/10/08/1010081222571176896887510.jpg
http://nsm04.casimages.com/img/2010/10/08/1010081222571176896887513.jpg

the screws are only for retaining the buttons from lifting off
and the plastic construction is made with super glue ( I used a lot of that)

The buttons are about 7mm height

I know is a tricky part, the ram being just under...

I have to go now, but I'll have a look on ebay this evening to see if I find something that could do it for you
c u later

[dcattena]

woo power adapter :D 8.5amps i hope it has enough :S

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/1399/p1010141e.jpg

Connected to motherboard connection

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/9950/p1010142d.jpg

Powered up :D

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/5006/p1010143o.jpg

[dcattena]

Put the power button in, how it works is there is a mom / off / mom switch underneath. As you slide upwards it turns on, and then flicks itself back to the center. If you flick it down it will reset.

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/41/p1010145e.jpg

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/8152/p1010147b.jpg

Heatshrink is your friend

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/562/p1010149z.jpg


One of my mates also put together this project image for me its really awesome and ill use it when i can :D

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/8215/n64hd.png

Thanks again, i should be getting controller ports next week and ive found a hard drive for 90 bucks 1.8inch 120 gig :D yay

Dcattena

[dcattena]

Just wired up the reset side of the switch and attached the 40mm fan again, except onto the back of the cartridge where it sucks air out from underneath since its all hollow. I might have to find a 5v rail cause i know the sound it makes now will kill me!

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/6075/p1010150n.jpg

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/374/p1010151j.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/7708/p1010152x.jpg

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/6978/p1010153f.jpg

Thanks.

[dcattena]

FINNNALLYYY got the controller ports, ive been working on them for a bit then i ran out of wire, yes im actually out of wire but i should have some tonight :D heres some pics of what ive done so far!

Thanks to Bacteria referenced by nevermind :D for the parts.

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/8396/p1010154id.jpg

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/4560/p1010155y.jpg

Wiring so far
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/1843/p1010156b.jpg

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/2439/p1010158n.jpg

And installed in the console

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/9770/p1010159q.jpg


Thanks. Check back later for more updates :D

Dcattena

[dcattena]

Everythings nearly done, just need a hard drive and this will be on the road! ive kept the back open i just like the look of it for some reason :D ive shortened the power supply cable to be just a port at the back and the controller ports are now complete and all wired up :D soon as i get a hard drive i can get some tempurature results but so far its all good :)

Thanks for everyones comments and help, the beginning of this project on the 2nd of August was a big step for me i didnt even think ide do it but here i am a few months later with the most awesome n64 :D

Controller ports wired
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/4003/p1010162v.jpg

Adapter connections
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/8924/p1010163fc.jpg

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/9546/p1010165w.jpg

Power jack housing

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/853/p1010166tsg.jpg

Windows 7 setup off usb :)

http://img808.imageshack.us/img808/6605/p1010167t.jpg

Glamor shots

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/5664/p1010171e.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/2636/p1010168e.jpg

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/1282/p1010169at.jpg


Thanks again any comments are welcome :) ill be getting that tiny hard drive soon its really hard to find lol

Dcattena

[dcattena]

Just engraved a bit on the front its going to be painted soon so it has some colour but thats it so far :)

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/7537/p1010175u.jpg

[dcattena]

Andddddddddddddddd one step back again :(

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2055/p1010001tb.jpg

Does anyone know if i can just get this replaced? without replacing the entire heatsink and fan.

Thanks

[dcattena]

Hey just finished wiring up a switch for the fan control :) one side give 5v and the other give 12v :). Ill only need the 12v in extreme conditions but at least the option is there.

Wired up
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/3746/p1010008m.jpg

The front led is now red like normal :)
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/9831/p1010010mj.jpg

Switch under memory cover
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/5651/p1010013c.jpg

Circuit diagram for switch :)
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/6997/durpj.jpg

Dcattena

[dcattena]

Finnaly got the hard drive :) then realising the adapter cable is WRONG! stupid ebay! another one is on the way 10 - 25 days :( heres some pics tho :) of me trying to test it and not working!

Fail adapter
http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/8807/p1010014dr.jpg

Its pretty small :)
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/9666/p1010015mg.jpg

Fits at least :)
http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/9454/p1010016rb.jpg

I gotta work on shortening the sata cable tho and i took one apart and it looks alrite :) any suggestions.

Cheers

[dcattena]

Just made a bracket for the hard drive :) new adapter will be about 10 days :(

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/3829/p1010018d.jpg

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/2233/p1010020v.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/7540/p1010021h.jpg

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/963/p1010025ur.jpg

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/2341/p1010028g.jpg

Thanks

[dcattena]

Just shortened a sata cable for the short distance to the hdd, still waiting for the rest of the parts, zzzzzzz :(

http://imgur.com/ahjEf.jpg

http://imgur.com/eNobq.jpg

[dcattena]

Just finishing wiring up the sata power for the hard drive, everything is all in place. The adapter comes next Wednesday, not long now keep watching for updates :D
Sorry for the delays again.

Work bench :D

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/2526/p1010047mw.jpg

Not much wire to work with but i managed
http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/3664/p1010048n.jpg

All heatshrinked

http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/3415/p1010049k.jpg

Plugged into power supply

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/3670/p1010050v.jpg

Power ready to go into hard drive.

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/8497/p1010051pz.jpg

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/8060/p1010052e.jpg

Thanks for everyone patience with all of this :D

[dcattena]

was bored today so some glamour shots are up :) hard drive will be ready tomorrow :D

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/6939/img3291t.jpg

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/7191/img3286u.jpg

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/5558/img3287nd.jpg

[dcattena]

10 days and itl be done. Im still running the hard drive from my desktop power so i can still move forward. Ive installed the OS and some major programs, home stretch now.

HDD powered and running

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/1979/p1010096fc.jpg

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/6627/p1010097v.jpg

Getting windows 7 setup ready to boot off a usb

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/8702/p1010098mv.jpg

The setup so far

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/9210/p1010099e.jpg

Installing windows

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/7895/p1010100i.jpg

and all 4 adapter ports working fine :D

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/2298/p1010102vn.jpg

Ill have some more pics up tonight of game test. Speedfan gave me cpu readings of about 31 and 32 degrees c after about an hour of usage, so cooling seems to be fine under idle for now.

thanks

[dcattena]

Just finished some testing, graphics card is running about about 59 degrees while cpu is still a nice and cool 35. Heres some pictures of the test setup with a few mates, the hard drive is powered from a desktop power supply for now.

All controllers have been mapped, and the pc can handle the full hd output very well.

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/9774/p1010103g.jpg

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/2613/p1010104xa.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/9233/p1010105c.jpg

[dcattena]

Heres a testing video of Goldeneye :D shot in full hd :D

rOwE0Efncus

[dcattena]

Hey everyone, i know you've been waiting for this post for quite a while. Its finally finished! :D its been a pretty stressful 7 or so months but the N64 HD is up and running ready to play all your favourites. From Goldeneye to Battletoads Double Dragon :)

I'd like to thank everyone for all the support along the way i cant thank you enough, you've kept this project alive to the end.

The hard drive was probably the biggest set back but after alot of trail and error i found that the sufficient power was from another port on the pico psu. I know it sounds simple enough but it was quite annoying to work out. I found this out after using a old xbox 360 power supply, after the hdd still failed with this power, i came to the conclusion that it was something else. The port is was previously using was labeled HDD, which is why i would assume it would be the correct port, but for some reason it wasn't....but hey it works in the end.

All there is to do now is maybe some cleanup of the inside and just finalizing some software configurations.

Now heres some pictures you've all been waiting for :) There will be a video posted up later of some game intros running on the system :)

Xbox wire stripped for some 12v lines :)

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/2889/p1010110x.jpg

Powering the system

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/3682/p1010111g.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/387/p1010112e.jpg

Wires now connected to correct port

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/4783/p1010119u.jpg

Testing with final setup

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/6100/p1010120cs.jpg

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/3433/p1010121zj.jpg

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/492/p1010122jh.jpg

:)

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/1708/p1010126wx.jpg

Super mario 64 :)

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/9405/img3495hz.jpg

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/5504/img3498j.jpg

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/5051/img3499v.jpg

Some temperatures after some gaming and exhaust fan not running, temps are around 50ish on the gpu with the exhaust fan on high.

http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/680/img3506m.jpg

Thankyou again everyone hope to see you all again on my next project coming soon :)

Cheers.

[dcattena]

Just uploaded some vids to youtube :) heres some game intros:

Mario 64
o86KOYRkRhw


Super Smash Bros :D

3eAEnpvYoQI

[dcattena]

Just took some final pics of the build, thanks again :)

http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/7186/img3507nu.jpg

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/541/img3511h.jpg

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/7503/img3509c.jpg

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/3514/img3515w.jpg

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/6291/img3516a.jpg

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/610/img3517vp.jpg

http://img815.imageshack.us/img815/5078/img3518h.jpg

Cheers.