Monday, December 3, 2018

Finalman's Original Xbox PC Case Mod

THE IDEA
This mod is to basically develop an original Xbox motherboard adaptor plate, hardware and wiring adaptors that are able to be transplanted between different PC cases with no modification to the actual PC case or Xbox motherboard.

REASONS
  1. Allow the motherboard exposure to more air rather than being in close proximity to a heated metal chassis.
  2. Xbox steel classis's rust and the rust particles fall on to the motherboard and can cause shorts.

PERCENT COMPLETE

100%

TASKS

Complete:
Create Xbox motherboard adaptor plate
Create custom cooling hardware
Create a fan adaptor cable
Install ATX adaptor power cables
Create Network Port PCI bracket
Create Xbox motherboard to PC case LEDs and button adaptor

Extras: (Not important so I might do later on)
Get hold of and modify a Samsung PC Dvd drive (616F or 616T) so that it works with the xbox motherboard

XBOX MOTHERBOARD

Details:
The Xbox motherboard measures about ...mm x ...mm.

ADAPTOR PLATE

Details:
The Xbox motherboard is to be mounted on an aluminium adaptor plate. The purpose of the adaptor plate is to combine the standoff holes from the Xbox motherboard and PC case onto the one plate.

For best results make the adaptor plate measure 244mm x 244mm which is the same dimensions as a PC mini-ATX motherboard.



Procedure:
I used a dead Xbox and PC motherboard to template the correct location for the adaptor plate holes. The basic process is as follows:

1. Clean the aluminium plate edges of any burs
2. Clamp the dead Xbox motherboard in place
3. Use a bench drill-press to mark the holes
4. Remove the clamps and motherboard
5. Drill the marked holes all of the way through
6. Remove the burs from the drill holes
7. Mount the Xbox motherboard standoffs.

As can be seen the Xbox motherboard is mounted on the finished adaptor plate.



HINT: For best results position the Xbox motherboard so that the Ethernet port is directly behind the second PCI slot down, then drill the Xbox standoff mounting holes.

COOLING

Heatsinks:
My Xbox is using the original Heat sinks.

Fans:
I am using a 80mm PC fan over the CPU and GPU heat sinks and have created a custom fan mount that allows me to secure it onto the Xbox motherboard support tray using plastic spacers and long bolts.



PORTS

Ethernet:
The Ethernet port is directly behind the second PCI slot down.

AV:
Rear Connectors. Component video, Composite audio and coaxial output.  I just used component ports from old DVD players and soldered the wires directly to the Xbox motherboard. I then mounted them to the rear IO panel. 



PC CASE

Case USB Ports, Buttons and LEDs:


Powering:
The Xbox is able to be powered by the PC ATX power supply using the adaptors provided by N64 Freak located over on the ogxbox.com forum here.



PICS:




To be completed...