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Scratch Build – In Progress Lamecube Mod

Discussion in 'Project Logs' started by yuusou, 15 Aug 2020.

  1. yuusou

    yuusou Multimodder

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    Hi all, y'all may know me as a shitposter, but I am a PC enthusiast too, believe it or not.
    With that intro, I'd like to present to you my first PC build since my Pentium 4 and my first ever mod.

    First of all, I'd like to introduce my sponsors:
    Wife (TM) - Hasn't asked how much it cost (yet)
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    Empty Wallet (TM) - Wife (TM) hasn't remembered to check here
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    Special thanks to @DXR_13KE @RedFlames @MLyons for helping me get this started and discussing important aspects of the mod such as power delivery (which isn't sorted yet).

    That's all for sponsors, now the hardware
    ASRock Deskmini A300
    Ryzen 2400G cooled by a Thermalright AXP-90R FULL and a Noctua NF-A9x14 HS-PWM chromax.black.swap
    1x8GB Samsung SODIMM no clue which, honestly got the Deskmini second-hand.
    Zotac 1650 Super twin fan except with a single Noctua NF-A12x15 FLX (if this doesn't work, I'll revert)
    WD 500GB m.2 something or another
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    and the concept
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    Progress so far:
    I've stripped the inside of the Lamecube and Dremeled / melted the Lameboy Player
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    Test-fitted the GPU with a custom fan setup. It's hella toite. If the fan doesn't work, I can always revert
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  2. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    Let the counter shitposting begin!
    Anyway, What are you going to do about airflow? -I guess the bottom is-a-comin' out?
     
  3. yuusou

    yuusou Multimodder

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    There will be a big ole hole for the fan. Even if I put back in the original gpu fan on, the hole remains. The motherboard will essentially separate the system into 2 chambers. The "CD ROM" lid can be opened for CPU cooling and there's 2 pre existing holes on the sides. I also intend to fill out the gaps in the back with speaker grill and probably replace the front with speaker grill as well.
     
  4. Dr. Coin

    Dr. Coin Multimodder

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    Your ring looks like an iron ring
     
  5. yuusou

    yuusou Multimodder

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    @DXR_13KE said the same thing. They both have the same meaning, to remind you of your responsibilities. :)

    Continuing...
    This may come as a surprise to you all, but my dremel skills aren't half as good as my shitposting skills.
    I've been busy at work cutting up the side of the gamecube player that gets into contact with the actual gamecube...
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    ...and I've been extra busy cutting the bottom half of the actual gamecube, which is an absolute nightmare! Due to it's shape, the constant shaving bits off to make the GPU fit and then the m.2 => PCIe x16 riser, the bottom bit of the Gamecube snapped. Chances are, I'm going to have to get another Gamecube. My sponsors are very unhappy with this as I'm already over-budget (project cost price + time spent on project == amount over budget).
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    Either way, it's allowed me to get a glimpse of how the end project will come to be. Now I know that riser cable is a lil tight in there, I'm also going to have to get an L shapped riser with a shorter cable.
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    Sooooooo... if anyone has a Gamecube they'd like to off-load for cheaps, I'd gladly take it off your hands. I don't mind the colour, as I hope to eventually paint it.
     
    Jean R built and Cheapskate like this.
  6. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    ABS is best cut with a wood chisel. It also fuses together with acetone very easily. You can use scraps for strengthening tabs and such. In other words, keep going with what you have.
    :worried: You still need power plugs in that card.
     
    yuusou likes this.
  7. yuusou

    yuusou Multimodder

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    Thanks, I'll give that a go, I have enough scrap around to make it work.

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  8. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    :lol: Smartass.
    I forget those U-turn connectors exist, even though my next rig likely requires one.
     
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  9. yuusou

    yuusou Multimodder

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    Not so much modding but something that will be part of the build...
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    Now that doesn't look quite right, lets fix it
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    Much better! Lets see the result
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    Noice.

    EDIT:
    As for power, still waiting on HDPlex DC-ATX 200W availability.
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    Last edited: 26 Aug 2020
    Jean R built likes this.
  10. yuusou

    yuusou Multimodder

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    I decided to have a look-see as to how the IO shield would fit
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    Well now I can't just leave it at that, so I got to slicing up some more cube
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    Not too shabby. Unfortunately, I got rudely interrupted by the weather, and thus was unable to finish.
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    The CPU cooling lid doesn't open or close, but I hope I can get to that tomorrow, weather permitting.
    [​IMG]
     
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  11. yuusou

    yuusou Multimodder

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    The weather cleared up this morning, so I was up nice and early inhaling burning plastic fumes.
    Managed to fit the motherboard exactly how I wanted.
    [​IMG]

    Ignore the "mounting mechanism."
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    I felt a true-to-form test fit was finally in order. Please note this is not the final riser cable and there's some shaving and trimming still left to do.
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    Jean R built and Cheapskate like this.
  12. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    :duh: Is this some kind of pun-related holiday?
     
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  13. yuusou

    yuusou Multimodder

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    This is what'll make the Nintendo / GameCube purists realise how much they hate me.
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    I finally go round to cutting a hole for the GPU /bottom fan.
    Mix chinesium and desires further ahead than tools and talent and the hole ended up being a bit larger than it should.
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    I've been using the files I got to smooth out some edges and surfaces, and to trim down any corners that needed a bit more convincing.
    With this, the GPU now sits as low as it can: atop the fan shroud.
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    I really need to figure out a final mounting system to hold everything in place. Maybe try move the motherboard up a little further.
    [​IMG]
     
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  14. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    As small as the motherboard is, you could hang the whole thing from the heatsink fan screws.
     
  15. The_Crapman

    The_Crapman World's worst stuntman. Lover of bit-tech

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    Looking great. I don't think they've released anything on the GC for a while so shouldn't worry. There's probably a ton buried in the desert somewhere.
     
  16. yuusou

    yuusou Multimodder

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    It's not very noticeable, but I spent the day with the dremel and files trying to move the motherboard up in the chassis all the while retaining the spring mechanism that opens the lid and the handle.

    End result is I managed to move it up by 5 to 10mm.
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    I'm not sure whether to keep going with this mod or not.
    I'm under no illusion that it's turning out crap.
    I don't have the space (my workbench is literally the arm rest of a garden chair), the tools (a borrowed dremel and a cheap set of files is all I've got), nor the skills and talent (I mean, look at it).

    I don't know how I'm going to keep everything in place.
    I don't know how I'm going to power it nor where I'm going to put the power solution.
    I don't even know what I'm going to do with it.
     
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  17. enbydee

    enbydee Minimodder

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    I think many can sympathise with the "wtf am I doing this for?" moments. It's important to let go of projects that are weighing you down, but feel that, having butchered the thing, you should try to keep going for a little longer, just to entertain others with your pain.
     
  18. Cheapskate

    Cheapskate Insane? or just stupid?

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    Nah, dude. You got this. :thumb:
    ABS is insanely versatile, and it's everywhere. You haven't even whipped out any black epoxy or hit the hobby shop for materials yet.
    -The motherboard drops into the top, so you will be screwing it in from the bottom. I'd glue/fuse together several squares of scraps until you have cubes big enough to cover the corner mount holes and drive a screw into. You can also use layering to make tabs that hold the edges of the pcb's.
    If it comes down to it, you can hang the psu out the back, but there's a huge space next to the cpu heatsink.
    Did you get the riser card cable connected?
     
  19. yuusou

    yuusou Multimodder

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    Not really a mod update as I'm not in the mood for it right now. Thank you all for the encouragement however.

    I've finally gotten round to actually testing the hardware and making sure it all works. Good news.
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    I ran a Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark at 1080p highest preset. The results weren't great but bare in mind the CPU is a 2400G and this was running on Ubuntu using Proton.
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    I'll run the benchmark on my laptop (see signature) to see how this compares.
     
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  20. yuusou

    yuusou Multimodder

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    I've been waiting for this for a while:
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    and it's finally arrived!
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    The power brick is silent... until the fan comes on. Then it's loud AF.
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    Currently the only thing keeping this together is gravity...
    [​IMG]
     

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