[Build Log] Super Nintendo PC

[MEC-777]

 

Project SNES PC

 

[PC Edge is my PC repair & custom build hobby/business, for those curious about the watermark]

 

Friend of mine gave me his old nasty SNES that had been sitting in his closet for god knows how long. Just the console, no cords or controllers or game. Not even sure if it still worked. Anyways, I’d been wanting to build a new HTPC for a while now and when this fell in my lap, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it.

 

I was on a tight budget for this, so I had to re-use some parts I already had.

 

Specs:

 

Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz

Rosewill RCX-Z775 LP CPU cooler

Gigabyte GA-H87N-Wifi mITX

G.Skill 4GB 1600 (for now, will be upgrading to 8GB)

AData 120GB SSD

Pico 160XT PSU

Zotac GTX 750 LP

2x Fractal Design 40mm fans

19cm PCIe x16 extension ribbon from modDIY.com

 

The Build:

 

The main goal with this build was to have it look as original as possible (from the front, top and sides). The idea of mounting the graphics card in the game cartridge slot came about after I realised there wasn’t any room inside for the GPU.

 

The original SNES power switch and front power LED are both functional. There were many challenges with this build, needless to say, but it works great (mostly) and I’m pretty happy with the way it turned out.

 

CPU temperatures are a problem with moderate to heavy use (like gaming) where it will spike up into the 90*C range. Internal airflow and cooling is an issue but I’m working on how to address that without cutting any holes or vents in the top or sides. For now, it’s good enough and stays in the 70’s while streaming.

 

Future plans for this build (aside from fixing the temperature issue), is to get a pair of SNES to USB controller adaptors, disassemble them and solder it up to the original SNES controller ports on the front for some authentic SNES gameplay (along with some retro gaming emulators of course ).

 

Will update the build log after I figure out how to fix the cooling issue, but for now, enjoy the pics. Thanks for looking.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MEC-777]

Moar pics...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[8uhbbhu8]

OK That's cool  I love builds like this!  

[MEC-777]

And some more build pics. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ATrollAaaNnnnn]

Looks cool af, but im sure you'd prefer one of those cpus with amd graphics instead of messing up the aesthetic.

[MEC-777]

Some final build pics. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MEC-777]

15 minutes ago, 8uhbbhu8 said:

OK That's cool  I love builds like this!  

Thanks.

13 minutes ago, NightBladeDK said:

Looks cool af, but im sure you'd prefer one of those cpus with amd graphics instead of messing up the aesthetic.

Actually I like the idea of being able to plug-in extra graphics power into the game cartridge slot. I'll probably upgrade it to a GTX 1050 in the near future.  

[chaozbandit]

For a second I thought you were using a lightbox, then I saw the snow. Great work! Interesting repurposing of the cartridge slot.

[TechyBen]

Let us know if the 1050 works! I've got a 1050ti, and wondered if my poor PC would explode a 250w mini PSU adaptor... (I run 3 drives ).

[MEC-777]

2 hours ago, Pangea2017 said:

Do you want to make the the controller input ports working later on?

Yep. That's one of my plans in the near future for this build. 

[MEC-777]

 

 

[mr.squishy]

I've never clicked a link so fast

[Combustible Lemon]

It will be really cool if you'll modify the GPU shroud to look like a cartridge.

Awesome work!

[NeonThunder]

Looks awesome. Very inspiring build