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PCX - A HTPC/Steam Streaming Machine in a Playstation 1 Chasis

James.

I've always been interested in the NES PC case mods. I'm not sure whether its the re purposing of old Hardware, the interesting aspect of making a case out something that is normally wouldn't be a case. Either way, I've found custom cases, from old game systems specifically to be something I have always wanted to make. With that out of the way, I found this:

CBVSdMX.jpg

for cheap. Sure, Its not a NES, but I figure I could build a PC in it. One slight problem, I have around 45mm at most of vertical space to build in. Oh well, nothing that can't be built around... I hope.

So, What being built in it?

The Parts

​No, I didn't fit a Titan in it. I'm a computer builder not a miracle worker!

CPU: AMD A6-5400K 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9a 57.5 CFM CPU Cooler

Motherboard: MSI FM2-A75IA-E53 Mini ITX FM2 Motherboard

Memory: Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1866 Memory

Case: The Playstation as seen above

PSU: PICOPSU-150-XT With 102W Power Kit

Hard Drive: Eventually I'l be putting a ssd in the computer, but for not its just a 160gb laptop drive I had from a laptop whose screen had cracked.

System: Asus Celeron Chromebox (The previous parts list did not work out.)

It may not be the most impressive of builds, but it works for my needs. I already have a gaming PC anyways.

The Plan

Now comes the hard part. It's called thinking...

I'm planning on making a *couple* of modifications to the ps1 in order to make the parts fit, and keep the build looking good. Firstly, the CD drive bay will have to go, there's simply not enough room to have a optical drive and a CPU cooler, and only one of those is necessary for a working computer. might as well dremel it out to make room for the computer. Secondly, I would like to use the buttons already present on the ps1 for my build, this means I'll likely solder off the original witches and use them as I have them on hand instead of ordering new ones. Thirdly, I'd like to put USB ports where the memory card slots are. Once again, some dremeling and that will be completed too. Finally, I'd like to keep the outside look of the play station the same. this means that instead of doing the easy thing and Simply cutting out a hole for the I/O ports, there will be extensions going to each of the port locations. This will be seen Specifically in the ports on the back: the "AC In" port, where the power plug for the pico psu will go, the "AV Out" port, where an HDMI port will replace it, and the "Serial I/O" port, which currently is a wildcard. I'm considering placing either and Ethernet port, or a USB port there although I'm not entirely sure. Both will not be completely needed, as the build will have 4 USB ports in the front and the motherboard has WiFi built in, But I'd still like to put one or the other in. Oh well, I'll decide when I get there.

On the software side of things, i'm thinking of using a Debian install, with the xfce interface for desktop use, and just having it auto boot into XBMC. I considered steam big picture for a bit, however the lack of any media features pushed it out of my thoughts.

The Procedure

Now we start buildin'

I start the same way any reasonable person would, by disassembling the PSX. It would be hard to build with the original parts still in it!

LggMPYO.jpg

The top cover off. Its amazing how much easier it was to take this apart compared to modern systems. I don't think I even had to break any warranty stickers, not that i would be valid anymore anyway.

VP4laWi.jpg

The power board out. I'll be saving this to solder off the switches.

5MNaGg4.jpg

The Optical drive out. I'm really surprised at how easy this is to disassemble.

cSz8tw9.jpg

Bare Motherboard exposed. Surprisingly its just held in by 2 screws.

fTQhIWX.jpg

Which when unscrewed allow the motherboard to easily be pulled out. The memory card and controller slots are all that's left.

7G77o8f.jpg

And they come off just as easily. 12 screws, and a couple of ribbon cables after starting and the PlayStation is gutted.

Well, that's it for today. Tomorrow after work I'l start on getting rid of all those unwanted plastic ridges on the bottom of the PlayStation's base.

 

Updates:

 

Update 1: The Parts have Arrived! 

Update 2: The End? (Not Really...)

Mini-Update 3: Changing up the Parts

Update 4: I'm Still Working On It People!

 

Update 5: It's Here, It's Here!

 

Update 6: Warranties? Where We're Going We Don't Need Warranties!

 

Update 7: Patience is something I need to practice.

 

Update 8: Filling, Filling it never ends.

 

Update 9: I love Dremels

Update 10: I spend way too much time on this (or in other words, the backplate is done.)

Update 11: Mounting Switches

Build LogsPCX - A HTPC/Low End Gaming PC in a Playstation 1 Chasis (90-ish% done) | Yamaha PC-350 (Computer in a RD-350 engine) --> Coming Soon | Mediocre Terrors: Yet Another Prodigy Build Log
 

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These computer builds inside of old consoles are quite interesting.. I'm looking forward to seeing it when it's done.

"Her tsundere ratio is 8:2. So don't think you could see her dere side so easily."


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The Parts

​No, I didn't fit a Titan in it. I'm a computer builder not a miracle worker!

 

Dang it, i thought you were god for a secont..

I am a happy wuffy

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Saw you post it in the News subforum. Nice project though :P

Andres "Bluejay" Alejandro Montefusco - The Forums Favorite Bird!!!

Top Clock: 7.889 Ghz Cooled by: Liquid Helium   

#ChocolateRAM #OatmealFans #ScratchItHarder #WorstcardBestoverclocker #CrazySexStories #SchnitzelQuest TS3 SERVER

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Saw you post it in the News subforum. Nice project though :P

That's what happens when I'm browsing multiple subforums and don't double check what I'm posting in. Thankfully, that version of the thread seems to be deleted now.

Build LogsPCX - A HTPC/Low End Gaming PC in a Playstation 1 Chasis (90-ish% done) | Yamaha PC-350 (Computer in a RD-350 engine) --> Coming Soon | Mediocre Terrors: Yet Another Prodigy Build Log
 

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That's what happens when I'm browsing multiple subforums and don't double check what I'm posting in. Thankfully, that version of the thread seems to be deleted now.

Yeah mods got it. I wonder how in hell you'll fit this. Mabye replace controller ports with USB 3.0

Andres "Bluejay" Alejandro Montefusco - The Forums Favorite Bird!!!

Top Clock: 7.889 Ghz Cooled by: Liquid Helium   

#ChocolateRAM #OatmealFans #ScratchItHarder #WorstcardBestoverclocker #CrazySexStories #SchnitzelQuest TS3 SERVER

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Yeah mods got it. I wonder how in hell you'll fit this. Mabye replace controller ports with USB 3.0

Personally, I was thinking of replacing the memory card slots with USB ports, since they have flaps that would hide them when not in use. As for fitting everything in? Ya, I still don't know if I can do it. I've measured and re-measured multiple times and it *should* fit, but I can't know for sure unless I have the parts in front of me. Hopefully shipping doesn't take too long.

Build LogsPCX - A HTPC/Low End Gaming PC in a Playstation 1 Chasis (90-ish% done) | Yamaha PC-350 (Computer in a RD-350 engine) --> Coming Soon | Mediocre Terrors: Yet Another Prodigy Build Log
 

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Yeah this looks awesome! Interested what you come up with

 

would be so cool if anyhow you keep the optical drive, but i guess that aint possible :(

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UPDATE 1:

 

So, I have stated dremeling and sanding hte inside of the case. So far, it seems to me as though it is going fairly well.

gStYJBj.jpg?1

 

The bottom half of the playstation at the moment.

 

The only problem at the moment is that I accidently cut off the posts holding the memoy card slot in place, however when everything is put in I guess I could just glue it. I mean, it does work for apple, so why can't it wokcard slots, for me? On the topic of those memory card pieces, it loks like I may not be able to have the controller ports stay as I had originally planned. If that happens I will probably cover the bottom half of the port with a mesh, and keep the top half for USB ports as originally planned. Also, some of my pats have started to come in!

 

k3E27Ov.jpg?1

 

The power brick on this is much bigger than I had thought. Oh well.

 

9mMcMdf.jpg?1

 

he 5400k may not be the most powerful CPU, but its enough for the system. I measured out the cooler as soon as I got this, and if it was only a few mm shorter, I would have likely used it instead.

 

TJ4g36N.jpg?1

 

4gb of ddr3 1866. My only regret with this is that I wish I had bought some more memory when I bought my main pc a year ago, as I paid as much for 4gb now (~$35) as I did for 8gb then.

 

Well, that's it for now. I'm still waiting for the motherboad and cpu cooler from newegg, and it may take a while due to international shipping up here to canada. Also, I still have to cut the top of the playstation chasis so that I could put a cpu cooler in the previously cd tray. when any of that happens I'll post another update here.

Build LogsPCX - A HTPC/Low End Gaming PC in a Playstation 1 Chasis (90-ish% done) | Yamaha PC-350 (Computer in a RD-350 engine) --> Coming Soon | Mediocre Terrors: Yet Another Prodigy Build Log
 

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Well, it looks like this will never be finished. The PSX is simply too short to fit the motherboard. If it was at most 5mm taller the motherboard would have fit with room to spare. But as it is now it simply does not have the space. Sorry for getting you interested in this. I doubt there will be anymore updates.

 

nvm, just had an idea.

Build LogsPCX - A HTPC/Low End Gaming PC in a Playstation 1 Chasis (90-ish% done) | Yamaha PC-350 (Computer in a RD-350 engine) --> Coming Soon | Mediocre Terrors: Yet Another Prodigy Build Log
 

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Come on you are going to let making a 5mm spacer stop you from making this happen or possibly cutting off the bottom and making a lower plate for the parts to sit you have come to far to stop now(and by that i mean why not keep going lol)

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Come on you are going to let making a 5mm spacer stop you from making this happen or possibly cutting off the bottom and making a lower plate for the parts to sit you have come to far to stop now(and by that i mean why not keep going lol)

I was originally against that because I wanted an unmodified look on the front, but you just game me an idea. Thanks. 

Build LogsPCX - A HTPC/Low End Gaming PC in a Playstation 1 Chasis (90-ish% done) | Yamaha PC-350 (Computer in a RD-350 engine) --> Coming Soon | Mediocre Terrors: Yet Another Prodigy Build Log
 

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  • 3 months later...

Anyone know what the hell happened to this build? It's been quite some time :(

Andres "Bluejay" Alejandro Montefusco - The Forums Favorite Bird!!!

Top Clock: 7.889 Ghz Cooled by: Liquid Helium   

#ChocolateRAM #OatmealFans #ScratchItHarder #WorstcardBestoverclocker #CrazySexStories #SchnitzelQuest TS3 SERVER

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Anyone know what the hell happened to this build? It's been quite some time :(

 

It's currently on hold until I can get my hands on either a nuc, a gigabye brix, or a thin-itx motherboard and a cpu. It's still in planning, and I hope to buy the parts over Black Friday. The build ended up being postponed mainly since I did not want to modify to outward appearance of the playstation, and the IO of the motherboard was too tall to fit in the playstation's chassis (I was an idiot and when I bought it just figured it would fit without checking). The old parts are going into a build I'm making for my father, and being built (hopefully, if I get time to do it) in a motorcycle engine. And I did check to see of parts fit this time. 

Build LogsPCX - A HTPC/Low End Gaming PC in a Playstation 1 Chasis (90-ish% done) | Yamaha PC-350 (Computer in a RD-350 engine) --> Coming Soon | Mediocre Terrors: Yet Another Prodigy Build Log
 

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It's currently on hold until I can get my hands on either a nuc, a gigabye brix, or a thin-itx motherboard and a cpu. It's still in planning, and I hope to buy the parts over Black Friday. The build ended up being postponed mainly since I did not want to modify to outward appearance of the playstation, and the IO of the motherboard was too tall to fit in the playstation's chassis (I was an idiot and when I bought it just figured it would fit without checking). The old parts are going into a build I'm making for my father, and being built (hopefully, if I get time to do it) in a motorcycle engine. And I did check to see of parts fit this time. 

 

Well I hope to see this complete soon!

Andres "Bluejay" Alejandro Montefusco - The Forums Favorite Bird!!!

Top Clock: 7.889 Ghz Cooled by: Liquid Helium   

#ChocolateRAM #OatmealFans #ScratchItHarder #WorstcardBestoverclocker #CrazySexStories #SchnitzelQuest TS3 SERVER

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Well I hope to see this complete soon!

 

I do too. I've had the fact that this isn't finished annoying me enough already. 

Build LogsPCX - A HTPC/Low End Gaming PC in a Playstation 1 Chasis (90-ish% done) | Yamaha PC-350 (Computer in a RD-350 engine) --> Coming Soon | Mediocre Terrors: Yet Another Prodigy Build Log
 

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This is perfect, if you get robbed, they won't take the 'PS1' because thieves are dumb and will be like "Ew it's a PS1 you'll get like 50p for that" 

 

 

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This is perfect, if you get robbed, they won't take the 'PS1' because thieves are dumb and will be like "Ew it's a PS1 you'll get like 50p for that" 

 

Though that was not my main intent, I guess that would be a nice bonus.

Build LogsPCX - A HTPC/Low End Gaming PC in a Playstation 1 Chasis (90-ish% done) | Yamaha PC-350 (Computer in a RD-350 engine) --> Coming Soon | Mediocre Terrors: Yet Another Prodigy Build Log
 

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  • 5 months later...

This build looks sweet. I plan to do something like this to an old Xbox original and turn it into a steam box. I think that it is possible but I'm not sure. Anyway good luck

CPU: Intel Core i5 4460 | GPU: XFX r9 280x DD BLACK OC EDITION | RAM: 8gb Kingston HyperX Fury 1600Mhz | Mobo: Gigabyte h97n-WIFI | PSU: EVGA 600B | Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 | Cooler: Stock intel | SSD: Samsung 840 EVO 120gb | Storage: WD 150 gb

CPU: Intel Core i7 4710MQ | GPU: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 850M | RAM: 8gb Corsair 1600Mhz | Mobo: Metabox WA50SJ Motherboard | Case: Metabox WA50SJ case | Cooler: Stock | SSD: Sandisk 256gb

:wub:  :wub:  :wub: 

Best purchase this year, bcuz forza

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