Finished my rebuild and then FOUR more (as of 2022)!

ClassicGMR · 19 Jun 2021, 00:00

I finally finished the builds I have had hanging around forever. Since I had to rebuild my NESPi I figured I'd just burn the backup 2 more times and get everything finished quickly and painlessly. :)

NESPi+, SuperPi and MEGA Pi running 3B, 3B+ and 3B boards respectively. All of them have 128GB identical builds (Buster 4.7.14). All of the shutdown scripts run correctly. The 8bitDo Bluetooth controllers match the cases with the MEGA Pi being the exception. I've got that one bookmarked for next week's paycheck but for now the wired black SNES clone will have to do.

They're all very nice to look at. The SuperPi has this cool fake "cartridge" that is held on by a magnet but completes the look. I also have 2 official Nintendo carrying cases that are for the NES Classic and SNES Classic but the completed setups - console, HDMI, power, Bluetooth controller and wired controller - fit into them beautifully.

Clyde · 19 Jun 2021, 07:12

@classicgmr Very nice! Any chance that you could show us their insides?

ClassicGMR · 19 Jun 2021, 23:21

@clyde

Outer NES
Inner NES
Outer Megadrive
Inner Megadrive
SuperPi Outer
SuperPi Inner

Sorry not sure where else to host pictures. The previous ones are hotlinked from AtariAge and my post there but they normally don't "host" per se.

I also can't get pictures of the SuperPi since I already put the sticky feet over the screw holes and I don't want to remove them if I don't have to. The photos are generic from the web but look like mine.

I have always liked my NESPi+ case. Now that the script functions correctly for shutdown it is even more amazing to have in my entertainment center.
The SuperPi is a little tight but has great airflow. That fake cart at the top is held on by a magnet attached to the inside of the MicroSD door so it sits on top and looks like it is inserted! I have the 3B+ in this one and it is slightly overclocked but I have had zero heat issues. This was an upgrade of sorts from my "OVER 9000!!!" Super Kintaro Pi case which, in itself, was/is awesome but the shutdown script never worked right.
My LEAST favorite is the MEGAPi case - and not just because it's a Megadrive... It's tight and has almost no airflow. I am missing a fan to move some air (30x30x7 on order) but as far as cases go you shouldn't build a case to need a fan on a stock 3B Pi. I feel that's what Retroflag did here - they bypassed practical and went full on nostalgia for sales. No heat issues as yet but I really haven't pushed this one since not having a fan made me a bit hesitant to use it long.

Clyde · 20 Jun 2021, 10:38

@classicgmr Alas, your links seem to require a Google account, which I don't have. I'm using https://imgur.com that doesn't require an account just to view other's pictures or albums (example). You can make your pictures (or "posts", as they automatically are there) either public or hidden, the latter don't appear anywhere on the site per se, but require the exact URL to view them. You can also embed Imgur pictures in your posts like you did with those from Atariage, like I did here.

Thanks for the additional information about the cases. 👍

ClassicGMR · 20 Jun 2021, 22:47

@clyde So the only ones you couldn't see were the ones I actually took? ok let's try it again :)

https://imgur.com/P6XvpYx
https://imgur.com/KNSiRH6
https://imgur.com/7cqgSK7
https://imgur.com/YxI1DZV

Clyde · 21 Jun 2021, 05:03

@classicgmr Thanks! I like that the cases seem to be as small as possible, with only room for the Pi and the circuit board for buttons and USB ports inside.

MrPacMan17 · 22 Jun 2021, 20:38

@classicgmr I do have a MEGAPi case as well. First with a fan. It made too much noise so I removed it. Way much better. The heat levels are okay when I play the old games. But when playing PSX games, I get heat warnings. But most of the time I play the old arcade games, NES, Atari 2600, Sega Mega Drive. With those games the heat levels stay normal. I only use passive cooling.

ClassicGMR · 23 Jun 2021, 01:01

@mrpacman17 Good to know! I'll keep that in mind. :)

Haven't decided yet but if I do another Secret Santa with a Pi it will probably be this one. It is the case I am least impressed with.

ClassicGMR · 26 Jun 2021, 03:50

OK... build #4!

I figured it was time to get that damned Picade running correctly. I had it up 6-8 months ago (I think?) but the Pi 4 was still newish and it had screen tearing, input lag, yada yada. I put it away.

Well it's back! It is a Picade 8" sporting a Raspberry Pi 4 4GB, 128GB SD with 4.7.14 Buster, safe shutdown working beautifully and a bluetooth SN30 for 2 player action!

Picade
Main Menu
Let's 'Rassle!!

I have said this before but... I have a problem! 🤣🤣

EDIT: @MrPacMan17 - I received my 30x30x7 fan today and installed it in the MEGAPi case. I barely hear it running but I can feel airflow coming out of the bottom of the case so I am much happier now with it. 😁

ClassicGMR · 16 Jul 2022, 02:47

So I did it again!

I wanted a 2nd screen for pc repair so I was looking at portable LCD screens. I really liked the Sunfounder 10.1" IPS LCD since it will run off a 5v/3a battery pack with the USB adapter.

I took a shot at a $100 USD eBay Buy It Now since it had a picture of a Pi 4 actually installed (and also a stock picture stating Pi not included) but the title mentioned 2GB for memory... the screen alone went for that much so no great loss if it didn't have it.

Well it did have a Pi4 and a 32GB SD card as well. Absolutely a fabulous package deal!

So NOW I have a 5th RetroPie setup and my 2nd portable one. I paired an XBox One Bluetooth controller I had lying around and I am loving it!