Bacteria's "Make a portable Nintendo N64 handheld" video log

[Niode]

Yeah I'm going to build one, but my current project is taking longer than I expected. Once it's completed I will start building this.

[bacteria]

Excellent! What's the current project Niode?


Spent a couple of hours last night on this - cut out a piece of copper to fit neatly on top of the two main chips, and the recessed memory ships; and raised to meet the expansion pack. I originally had the top piece on as a single piece, however easier to mount the heatsink in place without, so made screw holes to secure it in place. This system will use passive cooling, will cover this more in the video...

BTW - the board in the pic below is a dead board, for illustration.



This will be covered in my next set of videos; I might be able to make, finalise and upload two or three videos tomorrow!

[hailrazer]

Looking good.

Did you see my nice Expansion relocation pic

You gonna do a vid of that 2 1/2 hour project? LOL

[bacteria]

Nope, didn't see that pic, did you post it on this forum (I am unlikely to see it otherwise)?

I intend to do the expansion pack relocation, similar to your pic, but to fold back on itself over the memory chips (heatsink copper sandwiched); however not doing that for this project as I want to keep this project as easy as possible for someone to follow and make their own system. That also means I will use a standard joystick rather than the larger SuperPad 64 contoller joystick like I used on the DreamCast project.

I intend to make a video on relocation of the expansion pack on a different board, in a later video (in this series). No, will make the video under 10 mins (edited).

Flattening the expansion pack as you did is great, however unless intending to have the board portrait instead of landscape, there isn't a lot of point, as the thickness of the expansion pack installed (trimmed a bit) is a similar height to when the cartridge slot is installed; and you need that anyway for the game cart. Saves about 3-5mm or so from overall height I guess, which is useful though. Also, the controller board needs to be somewhere in the case, which takes some space, my thoughts is to use the space between the game cart and the board for this (if fits).

My reason for relocating the expansion pack will be for my next project - i'm going to build an all-in-one Multi platform console system, incorporating several consoles (NES, SNES, MegaDrive, NeoGeo, PSone, Colecovision (Dina 2-1), Atari 7800 (if can get composite to work) (7800 also plays 2600 games), Intellivision (if can get composite to work), Xbox, GX4000, N64, Saturn (maybe), DreamCast, GameCube; I have some great ideas for achieving this - honeycomb fitted, using one controller for all systems, larger screen, etc. I therefore don't want bits sticking out and making the system thicker than needs to be (!), so will relocate the expansion pack and pop-out CD drives for the CD console systems. This will be a major project - won't be a "portable" but "luggable" however will probably get it working off batteries (for many of the systems, not all) as well as mains power (all). This is my next project!

[bacteria]

Next video log uploaded - discussion of reducing the N64 motherboard.

YouTube link

(and on my website - all videos shown - HERE )

[bacteria]

Another video update - that's two today!!

Connecting audio, video and also powering the system providing the right voltages.

YouTube link

All pics and updates on my site

[bacteria]

Made heatsink from copper sheet to keep system cool; works great! Made video, will upload it tomorrow...

BTW - one thing didn't add to previous video, if the composite line is too bright for your screen (was on my 8" screen), use a 220uf capacitor and 47 ohm or 75 ohm resistor to connect between the composite output from the N64 to the screen - wire: from the N64, into resistor, to negative connection of capacitor, then a wire from the positive connection of the capacitor to the screen. This reduces the brightness and makes the colours right.

[MrPopo]

Did I read that right? Are you using an 8" screen for the portable? Or is this a test screen you have lying around that you use for various projects to ensure that everything is still working mid-project?

[bacteria]

Using a PSone 5" screen for the project. The 8" screen is for my next project; it was a good chance to test it out as it was available to hand!

[DNT 2.5]

Protip- Sheet heatsinks like you have made here may need a little more surface area for optimum efficient cooling, You could make a checkerboard pattern with a hacksaw that would five you plenty of room, and it will look nice if you take your time. Also, polish the bottom of the heatsink to an almost mirror like finish, it will help transfer heat. Don't use the gunk either, you would be better off using AS5 or equivalent, it isn't that much money, but it is worth the small price tag.