Utilizing an AMD APU and a super-compact water-cooling system, group member Aaron Howe transformed an Xbox One S into a completely practical PC. Cramming a full water-cooling system into such a small chassis presents loads of challenges, so we had been keen to seek out out extra.
Because of our quickly rising PC constructing Fb web page, we’ve seen many customized gaming PCs, from mods based mostly on present case designs to scratch PC builds. You’ll be able to even submit yours for consideration proper right here. For now although, let’s learn the way Aaron constructed his Xbox One S PC.
: What impressed you to construct a PC into an Xbox One S?
Aaron: I hadn’t seen it executed earlier than! I had beforehand constructed an air-cooled PC inside an Xbox 360 and, utilizing that have, I wished to take the thought of changing consoles to computer systems an additional step ahead, including complexity and push boundaries.
How did you intend this construct?
It began with pen and paper after which moved to MS Paint of all issues. I then received out a ruler and simply began laying down basic sizing to see what the field would take. I then made an preliminary idea construct utilizing J-B Weld and a few aluminium to cold-weld a body collectively, however the {hardware} inside was simply too hefty. It saved breaking up in a number of weak spots, simply from holding it and shifting the system round.
I used the measurements of that unique prototype to design an inner chassis in 3D software program, which I ended up 3D-printing in a single stable piece that simply slides into the Xbox One S. It’s versatile in the correct locations, so it will probably bend the place vital, and it’s inflexible in different places to maintain power.
What’s the facet window produced from, and the way is it hooked up to the chassis?
It’s not tempered glass; it’s only a glass piece from Dwelling Depot. The concept for the glass panel was that I wished the console to have a ‘sleeper’ look if it was confronted downward, but when it was vertical it will exhibit its true nature.
To connect it, I used mirror clips that you’d often use to hold mirrors on a wall, which additionally act as toes if the console is laid down horizontally. The clips themselves are held on with ‘excessive’ double-sided adhesive tape, which has greater than sufficient power to carry it up.
We’re intrigued by that tiny radiator on the backside and the little followers on high of it. What followers and radiator did you utilize?
It’s the Alphacool XT45 50mm twin radiator, with two Gelid Options Silent5 50mm followers. Initially I attempted to make use of the triple-radiator model, however I realised shortly that it will depart no room for the pump or reservoir, so I needed to cut back the cooling. It’s highly effective sufficient to maintain the machine within the mid-60s (°C) whereas gaming, utilizing inventory clock speeds and an undervolt to 1.1V on the CPU. I’ve sometimes seen it go larger, nevertheless it’s uncommon.
Why did you utilize smooth tubing as a substitute of exhausting tubing?
To be sincere this was my first customized loop ever, and I wished to nail the fundamentals of a customized loop first earlier than I attempted so as to add the complexity of creating exhausting tubing bend like that. I’d take the leap sooner or later and transition the construct to exhausting tubing, however for now it’s staying with smooth tubing.
Take us by the remainder of the water-cooling loop
Whereas researching my dimension constraints, there was actually just one pump and reservoir alternative that might work for me. It’s the Alphacool Eisstation 40 DC-LT reservoir paired with their DC-LT 2600 ceramic pump. The super-compact type issue and excellent sizing, paired with their Alphacool’s XT45 radiator, actually allowed the system to be small.
The fittings are made by Bitspower, and I primarily used them for aesthetic causes. I preferred the best way they appear, particularly with the black end, and the inexperienced O-ring makes a name again to the unique Xbox design scheme. The waterblock I finally used wasn’t my first alternative. I went by a number of totally different variations, partially as a result of I went by a number of motherboard concepts and numerous methods to attempt to make the construct work as effectively as attainable.
I finally landed on the ASRock Phantom Gaming X570 ITX/TB3 motherboard due to its characteristic set. Not solely does it allow you to put in a Ryzen APU with (what was on the time) the world’s finest iGPU, the Ryzen 7 4700G, nevertheless it additionally provides you a Thunderbolt port on the rear, with which you need to use an exterior GPU. I find yourself utilizing it paired with a Radeon RX 5700 XT loads of the time at LAN events, which is housed inside a Razer Core V2 exterior GPU field.
As soon as I’d determined to make use of that motherboard, I discovered there was an organization that made a monoblock for it, and it was the identical firm from which I’d already purchased my fittings. It actually nearly did really feel like destiny, as if this {hardware} was made particularly for my use case – I simply had to purchase it.
The place is the PSU, and what mannequin is it?
The ability provide you possibly can see simply to the correct of the motherboard is an HDPLEX 400W DC-ATX unit. It makes use of a laptop computer charging brick for enter energy, after which outputs all the customary 24-pin, 8-pin EPS and SATA energy cables you sometimes discover in a pc.
What’s nice about this PSU is that it’s additionally totally modular – I don’t have SATA or a discrete inner GPU, so I used to be capable of solely run two cables contained in the system. The construct makes use of a 1in ATX 24-pin connector that was constructed by a buddy of mine, Heath from Tek by Design, and the 8-pin EPS connector was constructed by Michael over at MB Customized Sleeving. They’re good folks and I wished to incorporate some work from each of them in my construct.
What’s the stand beneath the machine with the 4 USB 3 ports, and does it interface with the PC?
It’s really a vertical stand designed to transform the One S to a standing place, from Finest Purchase’s Insignia model. It price a complete of $20 US. As for the way it interfaces with the pc, that’s an enormous rabbit gap I went all the way down to attempt to get it to work. Because it’s designed for a One S, there are not any drivers for it for a pc after all.
I went deep into looking for a driver that might work for it – I checked the {Hardware} ID information and tried repeatedly to get it to perform, nevertheless it sadly wasn’t meant to be sadly. I ended up snipping off the tip of the USB cable, and it’s now simply used to assist preserve the console upright, in addition to to permit extra airflow into the bottom for the radiator.
What spec did you select and why?
It actually got here all the way down to wanting a tiny powerhouse for LAN events. I frequent PDXLAN right here within the Portland, Oregon space, and wished a PC I may simply carry to a couple occasions annually. As such, the primary alternative I made was to go along with the quickest APU obtainable on the time.
It additionally has 16GB of 4800MHz reminiscence. I attempted out a number of totally different kits for this construct, at various speeds from 3200MHz all the best way as much as 4800MHz, and the sooner reminiscence did make a distinction to border charges when utilizing the iGPU, so I saved the higher-speed package.
Is there any means you may have squeezed a half-height graphics card in there, or is it simply too tight?
I really get requested that so much, however no, sadly there’s simply no room. There’s a couple of 1 x 1″ rectangular form beneath the motherboard however above the radiator the place I may match one thing, however that area isn’t giant sufficient to accommodate any form of graphics card. The motherboard heatsink, I/O cowl and the radiator/followers depart no room between themselves and what was initially the underside of the One S console.
What’s the efficiency like from the iGPU?
It really works out very well for me. Round 90 per cent of my gaming time is usually spent taking part in both StarCraft or StarCraft II, so I can nearly max out the settings and nonetheless have nice body charges. So far as trendy gaming, I wouldn’t depend on it too exhausting.
After I use the Radeon RX 5700 XT eGPU, I set any video games settings that depend on CPU efficiency to low or medium, and if I’m counting on the iGPU, all of the settings are set to low. I’ve to this point examined out StarCraft and StarCraft II, Diablo 3, BattleTech, Mechwarrior 5, Horizon Zero Daybreak, Forza 4 and 5, and some different smaller titles.
If I don’t have the CPU efficiency objects set to low, finally the system will succumb to warmth soak, and temperatures will climb and climb till it simply locks up. The 100mm radiator sadly doesn’t have sufficient cooling headroom for the system to run at full tilt
Did you come throughout any difficulties?
One enormous downside was discovering a waterblock that would slot in the small area between the CPU socket and the glass display. I had tried a number of variations of {hardware}, and a number of built-in pumps, however finally I ended up going with a plain block, after which integrating the pump and reservoir decrease down, as a substitute of making an attempt to make use of a triple radiator.
Looking for a Ryzen 7 4700G was additionally tremendous exhausting, as on the time AMD wasn’t promoting the chips at retail, because it ended up doing with the Ryzen 5000-series APUs. I ended up having to purchase a whole HP prebuilt system to get the chip, after which promote the remainder of the system for elements.
The final actual hardship is that, each time I’ve to do upkeep, the pump wiring is basically delicate, and I can find yourself breaking the pump simply by pulling the pc aside.
How lengthy did it take you to finish this construct?
It took three years nearly to the day to finish, my first submit on overclock.web was on 19 July 2018, and I completed it in mid-June 2021. The primary motive for this was simply budgetary issues, ready for a 3D printer, solely having weekends as a consequence of work, and well being points. It was properly definitely worth the time although, and I’m happy with the work I’ve executed on it to this point.
Are you utterly proud of the tip outcome, or do you would like you’d executed a few of it in a different way on reflection?
Sure, and there are a lot of enhancements deliberate! I actually need to get correct Begin and Reset buttons wired up, after which determine a solution to get an Xbox One controller to activate the PC, as you do with an Xbox.
I’ve additionally considered utilizing a tempered glass display, and redesigning the inner chassis across the pump to ensure it doesn’t get broken throughout future upkeep. There are a number of different concepts I’ve in my head too, however I’m protecting these beneath wraps for now.
Xbox One S PC specs
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 4700G
- GPU: Exterior XFX Radeon RX 5700 XT
- Storage: WD SN750 1TB SSD
- Reminiscence: 16GB G.Ability Trident Z RGB 4800MHz
- Motherboard: ASRock Phantom Gaming X570 ITX/TB3
- PSU: HDPLEX 400W DC-ATX with Dell 330W laptop computer energy brick
- Cooling: Bitspower ASRock X570 ITX/TB3 monoblock, Bitspower G1/4in to three/8in 90-degree rotary barb becoming, Bitspower G1/4in 15mm extender becoming 15mm, Bitspower G1/4in-to-3/8in barb becoming, 3m of EKWB EK-DuraClear 10/13mm clear smooth tubing, Alphacool DC-LT 2600 ceramic 12V pump, Alphacool Eisstation 40 DC-LT reservoir, Alphacool NexXxoS XT45 Full Copper 50mm twin radiator, GELID Options Silent5 FN-SX05-40 50mm followers
We’re amazed that you simply’ve not solely managed to squeeze a full mini-ITX system into that tiny chassis, Aaron, however that you simply’ve additionally managed to water-cool it – that’s high work!
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