Computer Build 9: Project PlayStation

  • Thread starter tlowr4
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tlowr4

tlowr4

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Now I don't post all of my builds here, for obvious reasons, but I thought this one was interesting enough to post. My goal is to take the majestic PlayStation 1, and turn it into a PC. Crazy, yeah? Well it was inspired by the fact that my PS1 just recently died (not the model 30 one, a different one), and nick09's NES-PC builds (of which he's completed one, and has started another).

My plan is to buy a cheap netbook, preferably under $200, rip out the motherboard, fan and heatsink, hard-drive, RAM, and most likely the DVD-drive, and put them in the PS1. I'd like to do something special with the DVD drive though, in modding it to use the original CD drive bit (where the top pops up). That is the challenge that I have no idea what I'm doing :P

I will post some pics soon, as I've already begun process of modding the case. Watch this space.
 
Even a mini-itx would end up too tall in a playstation. It would be best if he used a thin-itx(same thing as mini-itx but around 1/2" thick, think of it as two usb ports stacked on each other and it's barely thicket than that) or pico-itx board. I know there is a board for atom or LGA 1155 that is the thin-itx standard. If he goes for an 1155 board then he should get one of the low wattage CPU's which have a 35w TDP and use a 1U(means 1" or less in height) styled cooler. It would be on the bit of the loud side but it would be one of the better options. Plus all of the thin-itx and pico-itx that I've seen have a 12V DC in jack where you can plug a power brick into.
 
Great ideas, but remember guys, I don't have hundreds of dollars to spend on hardware. The reason I thought netbook was since I can get hold of one for around $150, that supply's 85% of the system. The rest is just case mods, and the DVD drive mod. However I'll still look for a cheap mini-itx board.

Also, with a netbook board, I can just use the power brick that comes with it, instead of paying $100 to get a new one.
 
^^ True, but on top of that...:

Ok, so say we have this list.

ITX board: $80 (rough guide)
Power brick: $50
Memory: $20
Hard drive: $60
OS: $100

Plus other parts etc, there's $350 easy, if not more. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather go with a proper ITX board if I can scrape up the cash (which is quite likely what I'd end up doing), but for the time being a netbook seems the easier, and cheaper alternative. If you can find the parts to build the system at around $200 - $250, I'd be over the moon. :)
 
tlowr4
^^ True, but on top of that...:

Ok, so say we have this list.

ITX board: $80 (rough guide)
Power brick: $50
Memory: $20
Hard drive: $60
OS: $100

Plus other parts etc, there's $350 easy, if not more. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather go with a proper ITX board if I can scrape up the cash (which is quite likely what I'd end up doing), but for the time being a netbook seems the easier, and cheaper alternative. If you can find the parts to build the system at around $200 - $250, I'd be over the moon. :)
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Why not save yourself $100 and use a free OS like Ubuntu, or source a copy of Windows off someone for free?
 
^^ Mm. Well considering I'd be selling it, I'd prefer to sell it with Windows. The only version I can get is a version of XP Home Premium 64bit off a friend. However it still blows my limit a lot. If this is an option later on I'll defernatly do that, yes.
 
Don't think XP Home was x64.

I would use linux as it is less resource hungry than windows based systems.
 
Grayfox
Don't think XP Home was x64.

I would use linux as it is less resource hungry than windows based systems.
Click to expand...

I believe there weren't any Home or Pro editions of XP x64...

I have a x86 copy of Windows 7 you could use.....
 
Grayfox
Don't think XP Home was x64.

I would use linux as it is less resource hungry than windows based systems.
Click to expand...

He's still talking about xp 64-bit. I would not recommend it since xp 64-bit was only supported for a short amount of time. I could even say that Linux would have more hardware support than it.
 
^^ Well as I always say, no hurt in trying. If I can't sell it, I'll just...well I don't know what I'll do, but I've got my hopes resting on selling it :P Worst comes to worst, I'd have had fun making it, and that's what counts.


Also, I'm talking about 64bit OS. There were XP 64bit versions released, both Home and Professional, since I've personally seen the package (I check the label, it had the watermarks and reflective stuff on badge and everything, looked 100% legit to me).
 
NissanSkylineN1
You're selling it? I doubt there's gonna be any buyers out there.
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You'd be suprised. I'm fairly sure somebody would actually. Now for how much? I have no idea but a Playstation nut/collector that could buy a working pc in a Playstation 1 would probably love it. I don't know about making a profit though.
 
NissanSkylineN1
You're selling it? I doubt there's gonna be any buyers out there.
Click to expand...

There were buyers for NES-PC's before. I've read the stealth NES-PC made by one guy sold for $500 and it cost him $300 to make. I don't have a link to his youtube channel but it played emulated games from NES to PS1.
 
^^ Exactly. A friend of mine gets them through the University. He's got OS's coming out his ears, but the only ones he can give me are older versions, since the Uni eventually deactivates them in their servers, but leaves the product keys active.

Not to mention, wfooshee, you cut out his bit where he said "and use a free OS like Ubuntu", to make it look like he was talking about pirating it -_-
 
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