Xbox Original Case Mod

[BLOODEDCYBORG]

Hello,

 

Not really a big poster on here, though after watching enough LTT for a while and watching the Dale the sleeper and other cool case mod videos, I had an idea that I'm not sure I would be able to accomplish by myself physically, however the design, build concept and the PC hardware I have in mind is to use as my own personal gaming rig on the big screen.

 

So I have two of the Xbox consoles that are functional, in this case I only would need 1 of it's cases to use, and to keep the other for classic couch potato nostalgia.  I am saving the parts from the 2nd console in case my primary console were to fail.  

 

So this thread will become mostly the build log/progress report and hopefully a guide for users.. Linus please feel free to try this, as I would like to know if there are possible future problems depending on the build layout you go with.. Hell add water cooling!

 

The plan:

 

• Reuse the front IO for the 3.0 USB header from any retail mother board that supports it. This will require re-wiring cables to the front ports.  

• 4x USB Type A Female to Xbox Adapter. (give us the ability to add devices and gamepads.)

• Modify front buttons and LED's wiring to work with the motherboard.  (Set the colors how ever you like) Green for ON, Green+Red for HDD activity (LEDs only have two colors RG), or Red for HDD or any errors( from the bios I guess or link to a RGB or Red LED controller.. idk)

• Find the right GPU that will fit where the optical drive used to sit.  Modify the metal shroud to support PCI brackets at the rear.  Will require cutting into the metal shroud and the rear of the plastic case, (Note where to cut and use fine grade sand paper to smooth the rough edges.) This will apply to the Motherboard rear IO ports as well for the rear plate to fit in the metal frame.

• ITX motherboards with M.2 support will most likely be a must in this case.. "pun".

• SSD's and SATA cables.

• PCI-E extension ribbon cables. And possible support for the GPU to prevent sag depending on the GPU that is installed..

 

• Shave down the little plastic stubs inside on the bottom of the case till it is completely flat to install motherboard standoffs allowing installation of the MoBo. (Make sure to fit the MoBo between the existing NIC and  A/C Power port holes.  This prevents cutting the top.)  Don't cut anything from the top cover... Except maybe LED lights for the Xbox badge.  Go to town.

• You will also need to sand down the two middle screw posts. The case will only need the four corner screw posts to fasten down the lid.

 

For power I haven't quite decided if I will be able to find one that is similar to scale like the PSU placement in the Fractal Design Node 202 case, Or;

use a beefy power supply as an external PSU?

 

• Obtain the necessary PSU Female to Male adapters (Male ends of the adapters will go to the rest of the internal components.)

• Modify the rear of the case that will hold these adapters together. This enables me to use any PSU I want later...  

From there I can then use custom Cable Mod green and black cables to go from the PSU to the rear of the console's new custom modular power ports  (For PSU lovers go with a Air cooled PSU and you can then place it on top of your TV stand next to your Xbox themed PC sleeper booted into Steam Big Picture mode, to make others wonder...)

 

For reference I have attached some pictures that I have taken of the console with the guts removed.  

 

Let me know what you guys think, I'd like to hear some more suggestions or thoughts that could improve this custom case mod build...  This is also my first case mod, which will be a challenge but I like a good challenge.

 

The reason behind this is mostly due to some living arrangements that I have coming soon and I plan to remodel our summer room into a gamer's lounge.  I will have some old retro games and consoles to fill this room and a gaming PC as well,  which this idea/plan came to light.

 

(I'll post pictures here soon of the gutted console and used a Radeon HD 5770 GPU for scale)

 

Thanks,

[hconverse02]

Good luck getting airflow inside that thing

[Santo22]

awesome project man. keep us posted on finished results. my brother and I just put an R5 2400g in a little carry case. It's not completely done yet, but very close. yes airflow can be tricky, but if you can fit 1 or 2 120mm slim or even some 80mm fans in there somewhere, you'll be fine.