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Most Powerful NES Computer

49K views 232 replies 55 participants last post by  hawth33 
#1 ·
Intro:
This is my first build and the initial inspiration came from this build http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-a-Nintendo-NES-PC/. I loved this and thought I could improve on the design. My attempt will be documented throughout this thread.

My Requirements:
In order of importance
  • Fit into an unmodified case (no extensions)
  • Keep it as original as possible (no cutting a large rectangle out of the back)
  • Water cooled and as powerful as possible (If it can play a game for ten minutes before it melts so be it) *I'm justifying this omission because I can get more power into the case with air cooling
Parts:
  • Swiftech Apogee LP Low-Profile CPU Water Block
  • MagiCool Mini II Dual 40mm Radiator
  • Nvidia quadro fx 1800 (small and I had it, though not a gaming card I know)
  • Sapphire lp 7750
  • Modified H60 pump/block
  • Alphacool DC-LT Ceramic Pump + Plexi Top + Reservoir (there wasn't room for the res..)
  • Core i5 3570
  • 128gb mSata
  • Generic 40mm fans (I've gone through several so far)
  • Zotac z77 itx motherboard
  • Galaxytech 750ti slim
  • 16gb (8x2) Low Profile 1.5V Corsair Vengeance Ram
  • 160W picopsu with 192W adapter
  • Noctua NH-L9i
 
#2 ·
This post will show the evolution of this build split it into general versions

Here's my loop and yes I'm aware of how little water there is and how tiny the radiator is. If you have any suggestions please feel free to let me know!
  • the area of a small 120mm rad is roughly 120mm x 120mm = 14400mm^2
  • the area of my radiator is around 40mm x 80mm = 3200mm^2

Everything is fit in very snuggly and the motherboard is mounted to a cut up side of a old IBM ThinkCentre. I'm currently trying to use a similar technique to create a raised mounting point for the little quadro.


This is the loop and the motherboard. It fits nicely in there.

*Check out modDIY it's where I got the sleeving and the only place (after quite a bit of searching) that had nice switches ready to hook up to the motherboard pins for the power and reset buttons.

I Have more Pictures!

*now outdated

Here now look at my ram, wireless card and msata drive



Some temperatures after running Kombustor and Intel Burn Test


Some performance results

And here's the state it was in when the tests where being run



Some changes were necessary

New mounting position for the usb header, I'm very pleased so I took several pictures:



*I'm also pretty sure Nintendo intended the NES to be converted into a computer at this point

Still work to be done on the video out:


Next on the to do list: (shorten those wires a good deal)


And here is the new mounting for the HD 7750 and internals:



Here it is all together so far:


Added a T-Line

New Pump/Block idea
(>^_^)>--[Coming soon!]
 
#4 ·
I like Console builds, however, i love my NES more and still play it (more than my PC tbh)

still, subbed!!
 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slugpuppy View Post

Updated! And i agree with you Nitrogannex completely. The NES is an awesome console and unlike most "console builds" I started with a fully functioning one. Don't despair because I hope to put its guts to good use. Maybe a Nintoaster? or something new
Put PC internals in a NES
Put NES internals into a PC
???
PROFIT
 
#10 ·
OMG!

Dat 40mm rad lol Gotta love that turbine sound right?
tongue.gif

Ebay offers tons of epic Delta and Nidec 40mm fans, but I think Sunon has the quietest ones (Maglev series?)

Subbed for sure!
thumb.gif
 
#11 ·
I've seen many builds based around consoles, but this has to be the most powerful yet (that, and a NES has enough room for it)

Definitely subbed
thumb.gif
 
#13 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ivanlabrie View Post

I'm eager to see some temp results...40mm fans and water cooling, seems like a server grade loop.
I to am curious to see how well this cools. My theory is that it will run for a while then slowly heat up as the small amount of water heats up. This wasn't the point though and I just wanted to see how much power I could get out of it.

oh and I posted some more pics!
 
#14 ·
So I've managed to break my water pump. The bit of wire connected to the pump itself broke off and I tried to solder it back on, for a glorious few seconds it ran however when I reattached the pump back on to the casing it wouldn't repeat this for me. After some internet searching I'm torn between buying a replacement http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14977/ex-pmp-178/ or trying to make this awesome little thing work, although its the much more expensive option and has the potential to be tricky http://www.micropumps.co.uk/TCSM100range.htm. Any ideas on other pumps (remember size is important) or which one of these two I should use?
 
#15 ·
No clue...only wcing guru I know resided in the OCF water cooling section. You could always register there and ask him (Conundrum)
rolleyes.gif
 
#22 ·
Why didn't you go for a Trinity build instead of trying to fit a quadro in the case?

Would have saved a lot of space and the GPU power would be better.

I personally would have went for the A10 5700, the 65W version instead of the 100W version of the trinity chip.
 
#24 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobicon View Post

Why didn't you go for a Trinity build instead of trying to fit a quadro in the case?
Would have saved a lot of space and the GPU power would be better.
I personally would have went for the A10 5700, the 65W version instead of the 100W version of the trinity chip.
Because I wanted a physical GPU? If I wanted something reasonable I wouldn't be building it in a NES
biggrin.gif
 
#25 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ivanlabrie View Post

I'm eager to see some temp results...40mm fans and water cooling, seems like a server grade loop.


These are the results after letting it run for a while and the max was from running Kombustor and the Intel burn test. Things are looking good! I'm going to let it idle for awhile see if the temperature steadily climbs up
 
#26 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ivanlabrie View Post

OMG!
Dat 40mm rad lol Gotta love that turbine sound right?
tongue.gif

Ebay offers tons of epic Delta and Nidec 40mm fans, but I think Sunon has the quietest ones (Maglev series?)
Subbed for sure!
thumb.gif
Turns out its pretty loud, but most of the noise is from the air in water loop. When I get that taken care of I think it will be a bit more quiet. At least that's the hope
 
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