DIY Mini PC Build – Mounting a VIA Epia M Motherboard in a Videosphere

DIY Mini PC Build: Step-by-Step Mounting Process

Welcome to my DIY mini PC build project! In this post, I’m sharing the progress on mounting a VIA Epia M motherboard inside a vintage Videosphere. This DIY mini PC build combines modern computing with retro aesthetics for a unique project that tech enthusiasts will appreciate.

Choosing the Right Motherboard for a DIY Mini PC Build

For this DIY mini PC build, I selected the VIA Epia M motherboard from a previous project. It’s perfect for this compact setup due to its small form factor, though it was slightly larger than ideal. The motherboard still fits nicely in the Videosphere case, making it suitable for my mini PC project.

I’ve equipped the motherboard with a single 512MB RAM stick and am currently shopping for a small capacity solid state disk. The power supply is a compact module that connects directly to the ATX plug. Everything being integrated on the motherboard is ideal for this DIY mini PC build project.

Creating a Custom Mounting Solution for the DIY Mini PC

To properly secure the motherboard inside the Videosphere, I repurposed a motherboard tray from an old PC case. After some modifications, I was left with a square plate featuring four mounting points for the motherboard spacers.

Below is the LCD TV’s PCB before I covered it with the motherboard mounting plate. I connected the LCD cable and a power cable to the board. I decided against using the LCD TV’s built-in tuner since analog broadcasts are no longer available. Instead, I plan to use a digital USB TV tuner dongle for this DIY mini PC build.

Assembling the DIY Mini PC in the Videosphere Case

Here’s the setup with the mounting plate and VIA Epia M motherboard installed. The compact arrangement allows all components to fit within the Videosphere while maintaining proper airflow for cooling.

Next Steps in the DIY Mini PC Build

Now that I’ve decided against using the analog TV tuner, I need to rethink the purpose of the two large knobs on the Videosphere. One can still function as a volume control using a potentiometer, but I’m not sure about the other one yet. Perhaps a brightness control or power button?

My next update will show a test run of Windows on this DIY mini PC build. There’s still much work to do before the project is complete, including setting up all the external connections at the back of the case.

Building a DIY mini PC in a vintage case combines the best of retro aesthetics with modern computing capabilities. The challenge lies in finding creative solutions for mounting and cooling.

DIY Mini PC Build Parts List

For more information about mini-ITX builds, check out Mini-ITX.com or learn about modern alternatives to the VIA Epia at Small Form Factor Network.

/* Future control knob functions */
// Knob 1: Volume control via potentiometer
// Knob 2: Options include brightness, power, or input selection