MiSTer FPGA build in C64X case
Showing off steps and photos from a fun MiSTer FPGA build, using a C64X replica case sold by myretrocomputer.com. This is not meant to be an actual tutorial, as there are tools and techniques used here that are not accessible to everyone, but this can probably give some ideas. Parts and adapters can also be made on a cheap 3D printer, or even with some hand tools.
The MiSTer fpga is a great solution for hardware emulation of a number of classic computers and consoles, some of which I already owned in the 80s and early 90s, and even arcade machines.
The integrated HD caddy was removed from the case and I cut those little standoffs out of an HDPE rod.
Some adapter plates made. This one had to be redone later on as I realised I needed an extra cutout to clear the rear I/O panel, which will be shown later, and a different orientation for the USB board mounting points. This case is meant to house a mini ITX motherboard, as the C64X, when it was sold by Commodore USA, was really a PC inside a C64-like case. This plate was made to the pattern of a mini ITX motherboard and adapts to the hole pattern of the MiSTer.
The MiSTer fpga and digital I/O board mounted on a custom made adapter plate. Using an OTG micro-USB cable for the USB hub connection.
The stock MiSTer USB hub mounted in the main motherboard location.
Custom made rear I/O panel, using 1/8 inch cast acrylic, cut and engraved on a compact CNC router.
Fitting the I/O plate to the back of the case, checking that it all goes in just right.
Connectors fitted to the read I/O panel. In addition to the power connector, I decided to have 4 USB ports for a mouse, 2 gamepads, and a USB wi-fi adapter, plus HDMI, stereo audio outputs, and ethernet.
Figuring out how to fit everything in there is a bit tricky mainly because of all the connectors, which take a lot of space. This is the second version of that adapter plate, with a cutout for the bottom of the rear panel and the connectors, and with the USB hub slightly angled for clearance. For audio, I am using a small DAC (bottom left) connected to the optical output of the digital I/O board, to avoid noise and low quality from the integrated audio jack. The DAC output goes to the R/L connectors on the rear panel. The MiSTer, USB hub, and DAC are all powered from an upgraded 5V power supply, using a female connector on the rear panel. Following the red wire shows that main power goes to a small circuit board right next to the ethernet connector. This board is a Pololu #2808. The case uses a momentary pushbutton for power, so I needed something to transform that momentary power into a latching power for the MiSTer and peripherals. The little board is really a latching relay.
A more artsy shot of the cable soup. My goal for a version 2, someday, will be to integrate everything on a custom motherboard and do away with most of the cabling.
The MiSTer I/O board uses 3 buttons for reset and other functions. I milled this really simple circuit board just as a way to mount new push buttons to the case.
The MiSTer I/O board also has 3 LEDs but I decided that the only one I needed was the power LED, and that I would just connect it to the existing LED power button in the case. The power LED is necessary, but the other 2 are either not very useful or blink inexplicably, which is just annoying. I soldered a 330 ohm resistor in the positive line from the I/O board to the LED.
Some wiring and connectors for the power LED and the control buttons. These connect to the MiSTer I/o board headers.
Some 12x12mm tactile push buttons installed on the little button board, I didn't have enough clearance there for a proper connector so I soldered the wires on directly.
A couple simple vent panels made of ABS plastic to close of the openings on the right and left side of the case.
General shot of the whole setup before putting the case back together. The small button board has been mounted to the case using standoffs that were glued to the underside (I didn't want additional holes and screws into the case). Keyboard, buttons, LED and power all connected. I ended up not connecting the ethernet port, as my cable could not reach and I didn't have a right angle connector. The wi-fi seems to be working well so I shouldn't need ethernet.
Case all back together. This is a really nice quality keyboard.
finally, the button plate installed on top of the case. Custom designed, then engraved and cut on the CNC out of dark smoke acrylic. Added a little C64 logo for the throwback! I had to remove the original decorative badge that came with the case, as that was the perfect place for me to place the 3 buttons cleanly and without disfiguring the case.
This was a really fun project and this is all working very well. Great way to relive the fun of the early years of home computing and gaming, and for me try things that I couldn't really do back then, such as having a high resolution Amiga workbench that doesn't kill my eyes (I do not need to relive the "fun" of looking at a PAL CRT in interlaced mode).
When I have the time, I would like to work on a v2 of this setup using a custom designed circuit board to integrate at least all the I/O functionality and connectors, as there really shouldn't be that much cabling in there, but that wasn't part of the plan this time around!