How to Build a Mini High-Performance Gaming PC

Today’s sharing project is about how to use LattePanda to make a mini gaming computer, including making the case and monitor.

Since LattePanda can come with a pre-installed X86 Windows system, combined with Alpha’s high specifications, the overall performance of the machine is quite good. At the end of the article, the author also demonstrates the operation of editing PR and watching 4K 60fps videos on this machine in the video.

Aside from the overall cost-performance ratio not seeming very high, I hope everyone can gain something from this sharing.

Materials

• LattePanda Alpha 864s

• Samsung SSD

• USB 3.0 Hub

• USB 2.0 Hub

• Black Carbon Fiber Board

• Red Carbon Fiber Board

• White Carbon Fiber Board

• MDF Board

• Thermaltek Fan

• Arduino Nano

• Relay Module

• LED Strip

• 3mm Transparent Acrylic Board

• 10-inch Monitor and Driver (LINK)

Appearance After Completion

▲ Watch the full video at the end

LattePanda Alpha

LattePanda Alpha is a single-board computer the size of a phone.

The specifications are as follows:

• Intel 8th m3-8100Y Dual-Core CPU
• 115mm * 78mm * 14 mm Small Size
• Gigabit Network Card
• Type-C Multifunction Interface
• M.2 PCIe Interface
• Multi-system Support (Pre-installed Full Version of Windows 10)

Comes with 1 cooling fan, and includes 1 x 45w PD type-C power adapter

The Core m3 processor is the perfect choice for excellent performance and low power consumption. The Alpha comes with 8GB of RAM and 64GB eMMC, supporting M.2 interface SSDs and rich GPIO expansion ports, which can meet most application needs.

Display

This 7-inch LCD monitor has a high resolution of 1024×600 pixels and supports operation via buttons and remote control. It is protected by a box with a stand made of high-quality black acrylic.

The monitor will support different video input interfaces such as HDMI, VGA, and AV (CVBS). In addition, it comes with an HDMI cable for easy screen connection.

Since the buttons on the monitor are backward, we can choose to control the screen via buttons or use the remote control to adjust its contrast or color. Its back is designed with mounting holes, supporting assembly with Raspberry Pi 3B, 2B, 1B+/A+/B, etc.

Start Assembling

First, before putting the LattePanda Alpha 864s into the 3D printed box, we need to add an SSD hard drive (the system itself comes with 64GB eMMC V5.0), here we are using Samsung’s, the specific operation is as follows:

Then we can put the LP in,

Next is the assembly of the case,

Since LattePanda Alpha has limited USB ports, we also prepared two USB extensions to secure.

Then we attach the stickers we prepared earlier to make the whole machine look more textured.

Fan and LED Strip

Once the main body is secured and the USB extensions are also secured, we can install the fan, LED light strip, and RGB fan.

The purpose of the fan is for cooling, and combined with RGB, it can make the whole case look cooler.

After securing the light strip, we will connect it to the Arduino Nano.

Light Control

▲ Circuit Diagram

Case Assembly Completed

Cover the transparent glass side panel to complete our assembly.

Connect the Monitor

The last step is to assemble the monitor.

Take out our 10.1-inch (25.7 cm) monitor and connect the wires,

Secure the stand,

Connect the monitor and the case,

Plug it in,

Power on!

▲ Full Video