[SonofNoob]

I really like that PSU it looks like a modular version of a pico, and 250w to boot! That would be perfect for my build. I'm building in an original Xbox but a htpc/media server so I need room for multiple HDDs. Can you use that with an xbox360 power brick? Cause at $89.99 that's $40 over what I had planned to spend, so it would be nice not to have to buy a new laptop power brick also.

 

[Draelren]

It needs a laptop power brick due to the connector, but if you're really good at hacking things apart and modding - you might be able to get it to work? But I know I wouldn't attempt it, I'm just going to fork over $100 for a good laptop charger.

 

[SonofNoob]

so have this power brick from an old gateway labtop
http://www.amazon.com/Adapter-PA-1121-08-Gateway-Toshiba-Battery/dp/B00C6P76WM

would that work or do i have to get the one they recommend,
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0052ONCDQ/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1535523722&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B005EMQHIS&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0DT74SKRYZ4JH5QW1M0H

i don't want to cut corners and end up breaking it but i hate having stuff just collecting dust and would love to use it.

 

[Draelren]

Well that one you linked says it's a 120W one, I think you've already answered your question.

 

[Frezorx]

no update?

 

[Draelren]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frezorx

no update?

Just was getting back on to post an update. All parts that I'm expecting to use are ordered. The CPU cooler and a few other things are arriving today and tomorrow, the laptop power brick, RAM, and motherboard will be arriving Tuesday. I swapped a friend (Al from Modders-Inc, thanks again man) a processor I had lying around, for an A10 he had lying around; so whenever that gets here I'll be finishing up the build.

I will be getting a test setup done in a temporary xbox case, one that eventually will be replaced - but will be running benchmarks in it, seeing what temps I get, where I need to direct my airflow more, etc etc... then will be moving it into it's final case, where I will then have some custom brackets fabbed up, and a better IO panel made. Then the metal casing will be powder coated, and set up for the final build version.

Not this weekend, but next should show quite a bit of headway on the project.

 

[Draelren]

Got some of the parts in, the last of them will be here Tuesday.

EDIT: Pulled out most of the parts I have for it.

 

[Draelren]

Got the last of the parts in finally.





First thing was to ditch the onboard wifi card, and plug in the 128gb mSATA drive.



The rest of this build process went by rather quickly and easily.





One thing that didn't work with the L9a was the backplate that they included. I had to ditch it, and use 8 washers in it's place. This took some work to figure out the optimum configuration, was quite the headache.



The rest of today's progress is mostly just confirming things fit where they should, and everything runs.





Bet you wish your exhaust fan was this sexy.



It runs! ...for now!



I didn't want to have any brackets fabricated up, or design any custom pcb or do any work on any custom boards until I verified this was a viable project. Now that I've confirmed what I thought, I will be moving onto completing the next few stages of this project.

Now that stage 1 is done, stage 2 is to move to a brand new interior metal casing, drill and cut all appropriate holes, and then get all brackets fabricated up for the front USB ports, and the power jack.

Stage 3 then will be to get the power button to work with the power button in the front of the console, get the LED to light up when turned on, and when keyboard and mouse are plugged in.

Stage 4 will be to hallow out the HDD cage, and complete the rest of the exterior aspects of the case, to ensure a 'sleeper' look of the console, with 0 visible evidence on the outside that it is a computer, aside from the IO panel.

 

[Draelren]

This has actually been done since last night - but I didn't have a chance to get it updated until now. The temps are disconcerting, so I need to invest some time into resolving that before I do any huge shake down runs, or any more benchmarks. Below are pics of it all together, in it's current state - and it even playing StarCraft II.

Still left to do:
- Wire the power and reset switches into the xbox faceplate itself - eject will be reset, power will be power
- Get slim fans to replace the noctuas - they won't allow the HDD cage to be put into place
- Cut very small holes in the HDD cage for air to get into the case
- Remove some of the metal casing to allow more airflow, to hopefully resolve some of the temperature issues
- Plug holes in the casing so that the airflow will go where I want it, rather than leaking out.
- Get the front LED to turn on when the computer boots up.

Now the pics!

 

[LordOfTots]

Looking good

quick question, how would a MicroATX motherboard fit in there? Would you say that's doable with a SFX or ITX PSU?

edit: Nvm, I can already tell from your pics that such a thing simply wouldn't work...

 

[iFreilicht]

Subbed, I thought about this kind of build, too. And the Fans inside the Hard Drive enclosure are an amazing idea!

A bit unfortunate that you had to ditch the R9, though. Is the A10 really good enough to qualify this build as a "full gaming PC"?

 

[SonofNoob]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iFreilicht

A bit unfortunate that you had to ditch the R9, though. Is the A10 really good enough to qualify this build as a "full gaming PC"?

I'm curious to find out his FPS while playing something like bf4 or tomb raider maxed out.
I'm looking to do an almost identical build

 

[iFreilicht]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonofNoob

I'm curious to find out his FPS while playing something like bf4 or tomb raider maxed out.
I'm looking to do an almost identical build

That would be interesting, but I think at FullHD, you're not going to get 30FPS. It's just too tiny for that.

 

[SonofNoob]

hows the build going? finished product yet?

 

[Frezorx]

and still i ask are you dead? ps should get gtx 970 mini-itx kind from gigabyte!

 

[Draelren]

My apologies for taking so long to get back to posting here, life has been utter chaos for me at points. Below are photos of the finished product aside from the green power LED working, and the power/reset switches wired in. These are still issues I'm going to work out, but until I'm moved into my new office/shop - I will not have the ability to work on the project. Take it in all it's current glory!

 

[catacavaco]

Awesome.

 

[SonofNoob]

60fps on starcraft 2? Did you play anything better Graphically?

 

[Draelren]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonofNoob

60fps on starcraft 2? Did you play anything better Graphically?

Did not, that's most likely the only game this system will ever see, I don't play anything else really. lol I might try out some other games if people are curious.

 

[Draelren]

I've done a lot more work to the internal layout over the past few weeks, and I managed to get it into the LAN here in Portland, PDXLAN.

Currently been gaming on it for a few days - hit 72c once, but other than that it's been mostly great.

I just bought a new motherboard for it, going with a Ryzen 5 2400G chip, and ditching the current Intel G4560 that is in there.

Uploading a photo of it working here at the LAN, and then also a pic of the current internal layout. The version 4.0 changes that I have coming in the next few months should make it look a lot more like a finished product, as well as perform great for 1080p gaming.

Current Specs:
Intel G4560
Gigabyte H110N ITX Motherboard
16GB Memory

No other major changes since the last update on components.