Handheld pocket gaming pc using VIA pico itx motherboard

[icon31337]

I know your probably looking for game systems, but it seems your running out of systems to mod. So, how about a handheld pc designed to play pc games (by cd) or run emulators for such classics as NES. I am new to console modding so I'm not sure how one would accomplish this. I googled "worlds smallest x86 motherboard" and found a website article from
http://www.mini-itx.com/reviews/pico-it ... asp?page=3. The VIA EPIA PX10000 Pico-ITX card is about the size of a poker card as shown in this image
On VIA's website http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/embed ... /index.jsp they list it as a kit you can purchase. IDE is built into the card and I believe sata. I was also wondering if it might be possible to use a solid state drive, flash usb
For the keyboard you might be able to use the ps3 mini usb keyboard that plugs into the controller. The mouse could be controlled by joystick, d-pad, or the old mechanical mouse ball.
It would need a custom case and maybe utilize a game console controller for emulators or pc games of compatibility.
Here in lies specifications of the motherboard:
Processor Supports VIA C7 1.0GHz NanoBGA2 Processor
Chipset VIA VX700 Advanced All-in-One System Processor
Memory 1 x DDR2 533 SODIMM slot underneath board (up to 1 GB)
Graphics Integrated UniChrome™ Pro II 3D/2D AGP with MPEG-2/4 and WMV9 Video Decoding Acceleration
Audio VIA VT1708A High Definition Audio Codec
LAN VIA VT6106S 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet Controller with Power Management Functions
Back Panel Connectors
1 RJ-45 LAN port
1 VGA Port
Onboard I/O Connectors
1 UltraDMA 133/100 connector (2.0mm 44-pin connector)
1 Serial ATA Connector
1 USB pin connector for up to 4 USB 2.0 ports
1 10-pin COM pin connector
1 PS2 mouse/keyboard pin connector
1 16-pin Front Panel Connector
1 3-pin CMOS Reset Jumper
1 6-pin PS2 mouse/keyboard pin connector
1 40-pin LVDS/DVI panel pin connector
1 18-pin Audio pin connector for Line-out, Line-in, MIC-in, S/PDIF in, and 7.1 Channels Audio Output
1 80-pin Multimedia connector to support External TV-Out Interface, Video Capture Port Interface and Low Pin Count Interface. (One VT1625M add-on card is required.)
1 12-pin Pico-ITX power connector

Award BIOS LPC 4/8MBit Flash Memory capacity
Form Factor Pico-ITX (10 layer) 10 cm x 7.2 cm
VIA C7 1GHz Processor
Chipset
VIA VX700 Unified Digital Media IGP Chipset
Hard Disk Support
1 IDE Connector (2.0mm 44-pin Header) and 1 SATA Connector for 2.5" Hard Disk
Operation System Support
Windows 2000 / XP, WinCE, XPe, Linux
USB Ports
4 USB 2.0 ports
LAN Port
1 10/100Mbps RJ-45 LAN port
Audio
Build-in High Definition Audio
Audio Ports
1 Microphone-in jack
1 Line-out jack
Dimensions
5.9"(L) x 4.3"(D) x 1.8"(H) (15cm x 11cm x 4.5cm)
Average System Weight
1.14 lbs (520g)

[hailrazer]

This is what I use. Much easier

http://www.flipstartpc.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[wizzard1]

Not enough power.

But I am building a sub-SFF system, shaped like a Shuttle-form-factor system (but smaller) with a 1/2 height 9800GT and a Core2Duo mobile 2.4Ghz But I will say, the 667MHz FSB is severely limiting.

One very limiting factor is power input requirements, and stepping-down to the required voltages. PicoITX solid-state power supples only go to 200W, but there are slightly larger ones which can deliver up to 300W. A 35W C2D and a 150W 9800GT (plus some motherboard W and a W or two for the 2.5"/7200RPM drive) maxes out what I have, and could barely push playable framed in FarCry2 with good settings at 720p, compared with my normal gaming rig, which is only a C2Q and a 4870x2 which is 60+ FPS with everything maxed out at 1080p.

For any amount of real gaming, you'll need a quad core (2+2HT or 4 actual) plus a real graphics card, and there are only a few low-profile ones (now there's a GT250)... Or go the MXM route, and trade a limb or first born for anything with power

[hailrazer]

Not enough power.

He said he wanted to run Nes emulators. He said nothing about Far Cry 2

The system I linked to runs N64 just fine.

And we're talking about a small system, not desktop replacement.

So yea plenty of power.

[wizzard1]

But then why go X86? Windows Mobile, Linux, Android... ARM, 68k, Z80 even will do good emulation at significantly less power consumption. Windows on X86 is a great overhead, more than the extra features it allows.

I dont think that C7 1GHz can even outpace a Coppermine PIII at the same speed, with SDR.

[hailrazer]

With emulation its not about what is the fastest or best. Its about what will emulate the systems you need it to and also be the size you need it to be.

And most people can run things in Windows where they have no idea how to use Mac or Linux.

[tom61]

Getting a netbook and then doing a tablet mod and add gaming controls would be cheaper, more capable (most Intel Atom procs will easily outperform that Via chip) and probably easier to pull off.

I actually joined this forum attempting to do a project like this, mainly because of this being one of the few places with knowledge about batteries to power handheld devices. With a netbook, the battery issues (size, charging, integration, etc.) are taken care of by the manufacturer. The LCD is integrated in a netbook and you don't have to worry about converting signals from your board to what the LCD needs.

Anyways, if you're bored you can take a look at my attempt here(it's a worklog, and the motherboard was switched out for one close to the size of PicoITX [not yet out at that time] somewhere along the way): http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=3024" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[iHackedit]

hailrazer was only suggesting what he uses and I don't know why you have to make such a big fuss about it, I mean it started with icon31337 just talking about a small x86 motherboard.... Get over it.

[vskid]

Just FYI, the OP hasn't been here since the day they started this topic.

[bassmasta]

http://forums.modretro.com/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=4521" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Work in progress of a PC portable based on the EPIC form factor; hope it's useful.