SNES-PC Game Machine

[GlennM]

Not sure if this would be considered a project or console discussion, since it is both.

I am currently working on putting a whole PC into an SNES.  It's purpose will to be a mobile gaming computer for playing the classic games that I love so much.  I am not very far along yet, mostly planning still and working out software while I try and gather some money.
Due to the size of the project I am going to be using a Mini-ITX motherboard that is around 1.5 ghz.  I plan on using around 512 mgs of RAM and dropping a spare 80 gb hard drive into it.  I'll be using 4 frontal usb ports for controllers, these will be fitted into the old SNES ports.  Now, it will use SNES controllers still, which I have 2 of, I am going to pick up two SNES Advantages for Arcade games.  These controller will be hooked up to USB adapters.  I'll also be able to hook up NES controllers to the same adapters.  And finally, I am going to be running Linux with the WahCade frontend and a custom skin.  I am not 100% sure of the Linux distribution I will be using, but it will probably be based on Ubuntu or Xubuntu as that is what I am familiar with.

Anyways, here is a screeny of the current version of my Layout.


Anyways, comments are appreciated.

Thanks,
Glenn

[Jeff AMN]

Please post TONS of pics of the building process. I really want to see how you pull this off.

[GlennM]

First I need to get $250  The mobo with a built in 1.5 ghz cpu is around $150, the external power is $50 and the then I need some misc parts.  I hope to get some money together soon, and then I need a old style SNES.  I want one that doesn't work and is in good shape, but that may be hard to come by.

Anyways, I do plan on lots of pictures, it should be a really fun project.

[Loki]

Sounds very cool ^^
I always wanted to do this kind of project with a NES.
Here's one that did the same

http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/animalsnes/
very cool site btw, check it out

[GlennM]

I have seen that project, they are using a European SNES which is smaller than the US ones.  So hopefully I'll have more room for stuff, also I want mine to look better than that, it looks unfinished with a big hole at the top and the stuff in the back is sloppy.  Though because of the modifications to the front, I will have to repaint mine.  Which might be a problem.  But anyways, thanks for the encouragement guys.

[GlennM]

Well besides still not having enough money for the Mobo and Power supply, I have managed to hit a snag which should be really easy to fix, no SNES!!

Mine are all small, and my friend gave me his, as it was broke, but it was really broke, the case was cracked, and it was missing the eject button (not a huge deal) but it was really yellowed and when I disassembled it, the case literally exploded in my hands, I have been finding shards of yellow plastic for days, it was only useful for getting internal measurements out of.

So I was hoping someone here would have one.  I'd prefer it if it doesn't work, and I will pay you for it no matter what.  It has to be a US - Large Style SNES, it may be slightly yellowed, but not a lot, the more yellow it is the more brittle the plastic becomes, which makes it very hard to work with.

[StephenH]

You may want to consider a laptop motherboard, as they are more likely to fit inside a SNES.   Also, heat may be another issue.  Most of the Processor chips of today run hotter than the processors of the SNES did.   

[shardian]

Well besides still not having enough money for the Mobo and Power supply, I have managed to hit a snag which should be really easy to fix, no SNES!!

Mine are all small, and my friend gave me his, as it was broke, but it was really broke, the case was cracked, and it was missing the eject button (not a huge deal) but it was really yellowed and when I disassembled it, the case literally exploded in my hands, I have been finding shards of yellow plastic for days, it was only useful for getting internal measurements out of.

So I was hoping someone here would have one.  I'd prefer it if it doesn't work, and I will pay you for it no matter what.  It has to be a US - Large Style SNES, it may be slightly yellowed, but not a lot, the more yellow it is the more brittle the plastic becomes, which makes it very hard to work with.

I think I have one in the garage. I posted it in the free thread a few months ago, but then got really busy and never followed thru with interested parties. (I am sorry guys.)

[GlennM]

Mini-ITX motherboards and processors and motherboards run with very low power and heat, which is part of the consideration.  I am not certain if a laptop motherboard will fit, and a Mini-ITX will fit just fine.  Like I am getting a high power level power supply at 100 watts.  But it was a consideration.  Mini-ITX will also be a fair amount cheaper than a laptop setup would be.

shardian, I posted my want list over in the Trade forum.

[GlennM]

Alright I am actually making an update, I ordered and got all my parts, after a couple setbacks I am actually on my way with this.  I have had a couple big problems though, well one specifically, I don't have enough room.
I have two ways to resolve this, insert a bit of plastic (3/4" or so) in the area that the case splits at already, so I have more room to work with, it really won't be very noticeable, so I may just do this.  Otherwise I might build a custom "CD-Rom" add on, like the jap SNES's got.  Drop the HD and a DVD drive in there, and I'll be sitting pretty on something that can double as a full media center.
I am still iffy on the frontend though, I am working with MaLa now, as it works the same as Wahcade was.  However, if I use Media Portal, I can get the same functionality, though at a bit heavier on the system resources.  And it'll be harder to set up, but have inherent support for media files and be easier to implement PC games with, so this is a bit of a toss up.  Also I am running TinyXP Beast edition (boot time 20 seconds with no front end) 
I am gonna play with both while I ponder the hard drive dilemma.

Later,
Glenn

[GlennM]

I decided on Media Portal but will need to make a custom skin, which will be a bear.  I want to stick with my original idea for it though, or maybe make a skin that clones the Wii interface.

Also, it is put together and running, I need to work out a few parts and stuff, but all in all it is fully functional.  I went with a laptop hard drive with an adapter, the 320 gb will be made external and run over the network, therefore won't need to be close to the SNES.

Heat is a minor concern at this point, right now the back is a gaping hole and the eject button and game slot are open, it runs at about 45 C.  If I cover the Game slot it jumps to 50 C, I may wind up getting a small fan to go in the Eject button spot, then putting another one in the rear.  The internal fan gives it a bit of noise, but less than my laptop.  Hopefully I can find some completely silent case fans, and they both need to be very small.

[needlesmcgirk]

Definitely post a bunch of process and progress pics as I have been wanting to do one of these for a while, but probably in an NES instead.  Good luck getting this thing going!

[GlennM]

Well, here are a few pictures, and yes, I am still working on it.  I am in the process of installing the controller ports now, they should be done in a day or two.











Later,
Glenn

[psik0tik]

We made one of these once...it was awesome. There's even a faq out there to get the original controllers working. If I find it I'll pass it along. Look into power supplies for car pc's they are super small and it will fit in there with the rest of it.

[GlennM]

The power supply is already in it.  In the second picture you can se it is towards the top dead center.  There is a B/W cable coming off the left bottom and a R/B/B/Y coming from the bottom right.

There are a few ways to make the controllers work, however Parrallel ports are most common, I don't have any, instead I will be getting some USB adapters in the future as I ran out of money.  I do have PS2/GC/Xbox adapters though.  Enough for 3 players with PS2, 2 with XBox, and 1 Gamecube, toss in the PS2 controller clone I already have, the Modded Xbox controller and the Xbox 360 controller, and I have a pretty good set.  Oh, and the DDR pad.

[GlennM]

Well here are some almost done shots, you can see that it is now a nice shiny black, though I need to drop a second coat on still.

I have been having some trouble getting the Eject button cut properly, so it is not in yet, but will be soon.  I have also been having issues getting the controller ports mounted, so I am looking into new ways to do so as well.  But, for the most part it is done, just need to iron out some details. 

[Bond007]

Great job Glenn. Makes me want to rummage through my old game systems and try it out.

[GlennM]

Due to a recent money emergency, I am going to put this up for sale as soon as it is finished, there will be no hard drive included as the one I was using is failing (it is from a 7 yr old laptop)

Anyways, I will be finishing up the front and making it look nice from the front, the rear may or may not be finished up, depends on the time frame, I want to at least break even, but I need all the cash I can get right now.

Later,
Glenn

[SavannahLion]

Damn shame.


Good luck.

[Austin.Wolff]

My friend made one from a NES.  All buttons work, and the controller ports are hacked into a serial port so you can plug in real NES controllers and play ROMS.  Wifi, wireless mouse and keyboard etc, I think he's still selling it for $400+