low_budget

I haven't updated here in a while, but I did make more Super 8 bit PCBs and the NESessity is now on version 1.4. Both are available on Tindie.com as bare PCBs or complete parts kits.

Thank you everyone for the feedback. Looks like there isn't much interest. I uploaded the 3d renders of the mounting plate anyway, I'm happy with how the design turned out but I guess I won't be making any. I'm still open to making these if at least some Atari VCS owners would be interested but it is what it is.

I found the stock heatsink / fan combination in the Atari VCS to be completely inadequate for my use as a mini PC running Windows 10, with temperatures averaging over 80 degrees C and sometimes reaching 90 degrees. I did increase the RAM speed to 3200 MHz and increased the TDP to 54w. I looked into upgrading the original Atari cooler, but there are very few options with the limited space available. I could not find any heat sink / fan combinations that had 70mm x 50mm mounting holes and fit in such a tiny space. The Atari VCS doesn't have good ventilation either, with only 2 small vents in the rear of the console. I figured out a solution that will fix all overheating issues with the Atari VCS, although it is a bit taller than the original cooler and would require case modifications. It is a 6061 aluminum plate that allows an XBOX 360 copper CPU heatsink to be mounted to and cool the Atari VCS. The mounting plate I designed would screw to the XBOX heatsink with countersunk screws and make a completely flat surface on the bottom. The thickness is the same as the original cooler so spring pressure on the APU would be the same. For those unfamiliar, the XBOX 360 CPU heatsink (from the early gen versions) has a copper heat transfer plate, heatpipe, and about 4x the fin surface area of the original Atari cooler. A 60mm fan would be used to cool the XBOX heatsink. There would be a few options for powering this fan. The easiest would be using a 5v fan connected to USB power. I looked into making a fan adapter cable, but the Atari fan connector is so small, I've tried 1.25mm pitch 4p JST cables and it's still not small enough. It should still be possible to simply cut off the original fan and splice the wires into a common 4 pin pwm fan connector. Is anyone interested in my Atari VCS heatsink upgrade, even if it requires case modification or leaving the top cover off while using? I'll post some photos of the 3D render soon. If I can get 20 or so people interested in the upgraded Atari VCS heatsink I can have the machine shop make a batch. Estimated cost is $20-25 for each mounting plate.

I am considering making another run of Super 8 bit PCBs after not making any since 2016. Would anyone be interested? Unlike before, this will likely be a small production run of the bare PCBs, I don't plan on making the powder coated cases (unless there is a lot of demand.) Send me a PM if you would like one, and if there is enough interest I will begin taking preorders.

I have updated the parts list for the NESessity v1.3 because several parts on the last version are out of stock or end of life. I also have NES - Neo Geo controller adapters available. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Adapter-to-use-Neo-Geo-Arcade-Controller-with-Nintendo-NES-Console-2-Player/184709166961?hash=item2b01863771:g:CUEAAOSw5FxgTNX~ NESessity v1.3 Parts List.pdf

I have version 1.3 of the NESessity now available https://www.tindie.com/products/low_budget/nesessity-v13-replacement-pcb-for-nes-console/ I will also be offering the NESessity in kit form once the parts arrive. Improvements over v1.2: changes to the motherboard shape to allow a much larger heatsink for the 7805 linear regulator extra solder pads on power switch connection, reset pins, and controller ports allow Borti's A/V power board replacement to be used various trace optimizations and component footprint improvements I have installed the NESRGB and IGR mod boards. The wiring is a bit simpler as the extra 5v regulator included with the NESRGB is not needed and there are solder pads to connect the IGR mod. Since the NESessity uses the reset circuit from a top loader NES, set the "LO" jumper on the IGR. I am also working on a NES - Neo Geo controller adapter. Basically a standard controller circuit x2 wired to Neo Geo controller ports. I hope to have this available soon.

I have the most active forum thread for the NESessity on shmups system11: https://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=66487 I will try to check Atariage more often as well to answer questions. The bare NESessity PCB is available here: https://www.tindie.com/products/low_budget/nesessity-v12-replacement-pcb-for-nes-console/ I have a couple assembled NESessity PCBs currently on eBay. Youtube video for the latest v1.2 NESessity: Eventually I plan on building 25 NESessity PCBs (w/o CPU and PPU) and hope to have them ready late January 2021.

I have the new version NESessity PCB v1.1 tested and working great. So far I have built a simple composite video only NESessity, and I will be building a NESRGB modified version soon. Even though there are no new major features on v1.1 over v1.0, I have incorporated many bugfixes and other improvements into the overall design.

I am working on many things at the moment and really can't devote the time required to bring back the Super 8 bit. While it would be easy to just order more PCBs with the previous design, making custom parts like the sheet metal aluminum case and controller ports is very expensive and requires a large order. There are some issues with the v1.0 NESessity PCB I am working on, and I hope to have them resolved soon. I hope to have a new version NESessity PCB available this fall if things go to plan.

I don't plan on designing any replacement PCBs for other 8 bit Nintendo systems at this time. The top loader NES is a lot less common than the front loader, and there would be many extra challenges. There would be less room on the PCB for any extra circuitry and controller ports would be difficult to desolder and reuse. I'm working on the next revision of the NESessity, and I'm open to suggestions. Possibly add an 8p mini-DIN connector for RGB replacing the composite RCA connector? Possibly add a SP3T switch for palette selection near the expansion port (when using a NESRGB?)

Introducing the NESessity front loader NES PCB replacement. I am currently working on getting good CPU and PPU chips and I have ordered a blinking light win cartridge slot replacement so I can do full testing. I even ordered a high quality desoldering tool so I can remove CPU and PPU chips easily. Everything fits perfectly in the original case. My first build will be basic with only composite video output to ensure everything is compatible and functions correctly. I'm not too worried because I've built over 40 Super 8 Bit systems. The CPU, PPU, and connector for power/reset board must be reused from the original PCB, but everything else is new. The Famicom expansion connector is there replacing the useless original expansion slot, although admittedly it may be difficult to plug some things in without some kind of extension cable.

I have some updates on my NES front loader PCB replacement: This kit will consist of the new motherboard and a RF module replacement PCB (without RF.) Some features that will be incorporated: 15p Famicom expansion port in the location of the original unused NES expansion port Famicom microphone support Stereo sound with auxiliary cartridge input Can be assembled with original RF shielding 2 reset modes selectable with jumper: NES front loader reset (with screen blanking) or Famicom style reset (cpu only) No lockout chip PPU is in identical location to original NES so any video mods that fit original will fit here Can use original AC NES power adapter or modern DC power adapter RF module replacement board has room for larger heatsink on 7805 regulator (can also be used with switching regulator) RF RCA connector replaced with composite, and R L audio RCA connectors now on right side. (Former) channel select switch is still there and can be wired for any purpose, such as palette selection Works with original power / reset button PCB I'm taking time away from assembling my Parsec supergun project working on this so hopefully things work out! It will be a simpler project than the Super 8 bit, as I don't need to manufacture the expensive aluminum cases and I don't need to worry about parts supplies as much.

I have uploaded all info I have that I used to design the Super 8 bit PCB. Super 8 bit IC connections.pdf

Please calm down people. I am willing to open source some of my Super 8 bit drawings and notes in the near future. I will not be sharing PCB design files. I never made a complete schematic of the Super 8, rather some hand drawn schematics and a spreadsheet of the major IC connections. As I've said before, I have no plan to make any more Super 8 bit consoles. However, I am working on a replacement NES PCB at the moment. It will not be a replica or reproduction, but essentially a Super 8 bit redesigned to fit into a NES front loader case. I cannot say for sure if this will ever be released, but I am working on it. I like the work Redherring32 is doing, and if there isn't much demand for the "super 8 bit ized" version I may scrap the idea.

I no longer have any PARSEC v1.0 boards left so I did a redesign, the new v1.1 board. The v1.1 PARSEC Supergun has the following Improvements over the v1.0 PCB: Thicker 1.5 oz copper layer Wider +5v traces can handle loads up to 15A 3 unused component footprints removed controller ports now even with board edge removed unsightly jumper wire to JAMMA connector (necessary on v1.0 because I forgot to connect video ground pin 14) test and service button locations swapped some improvements to component placement and footprint design connection points on PCB for A/V modification possibilities (such as adding RGB adjustment pots) it's purple now The v1.1 circuit is the same as v1.0 so no changes there. The HAT board I'm making will work on both versions of the PARSEC. It will take me a while to assemble small quantities of v1.1 PARSEC systems and additional HAT boards. I'll need to order parts and set aside quite a bit of time, so this will be a while. I'm also working on a component video hat I will have available soon. I am waiting for some parts to arrive to complete the first batch of Parsec Superguns. Several parts were back ordered so my assembly process was delayed a couple weeks. I'm considering offering the Parsec in kit form, but I'm not sure the best way to do this. I suppose I could make up a preorder list. I have 30 bare Parsec v1.1 PCBs on hand, which I will assemble in batches of 10. I could offer the Parsec about $10 cheaper without the ebay or tindie fees. No deposit required, just send me a PM and I will let you know what number you are. I'm thinking February 17 I will have the first Parsec v1.1 Superguns assembled, tested, and available. While all I need to do is finish the assembly of the through hole components, it's still very time consuming (especially the JAMMA connector.)