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How to Condense an SNES Motherboard Down Smaller

The Super Nintendo Entertainment console (SNES) was Nintendo̵7;s attempt to unseat the popularity of Sega̵7;s next-generation Genesis console. The top-loading cartridge slot of the SNES necessitated a larger case than was needed. You can take advantage of this by condensing the internal motherboard so that it occupies less space and using that extra space to install modifications. Tools from a video-game store are needed, as are supplies and tools found around the house.

Things You'll Need

Towel
Tri-wing screwdriver
Paper cup
Grease pencil
Straightedge
Phillips jeweler's screwdriver
Silicone paste
Utility knife
Antistatic strap

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the power plug and controller plugs from the SNES console. Remove the audio/video cable from the SNES. Pull out the game cartridge from the slot at the top. Place a bath towel on a table. Place the SNES facedown on the bath towel. Rotate the SNES so that the warranty sticker on the bottom is right-side up.
- 2
  Peel off the bumper feet at the bottom of the SNES with your fingers. Insert the tri-wing screwdriver into the screws that are beneath each of the bumper feet. Remove the screws, as well as any other screws on the bottom. Place the screws in a paper cup so they don̵7;t get lost.
- 3
  Pull the bottom section off the SNES. Turn the bottom section over so that the electronics are facing up. Place the bottom section on the towel. Remove the metal plate to reveal the motherboard. Draw a line on the bottom section with a grease pencil against the side of the motherboard that has the empty space of the section next to it.
- 4
  Remove the screws from the edges of the motherboard with a Phillips jeweler̵7;s screwdriver. Lift the motherboard up and reposition it against the wall of the back section. Apply dabs of silicone paste against each corner of the motherboard. Let the paste set for 10 minutes and apply another layer to coat the edges again.
- 5
  Score along the drawn line on the inside of the bottom section with a utility knife. Continue scoring the line until you cut through the plastic. Break the plastic off the bottom section.
- 6
  Measure the width of the broken piece of plastic. Place the top section facedown on the towel. Measure from the end of the top section in toward the center. Draw a horizontal line across the section with the grease pencil. Score through the line with the utility knife until you can break the plastic off.
- 7
  Place the top section back on the bottom section. Turn the two sections over and reattach the screws to the bottom. Tape the seams of the two sections together with strips of duct tape. Place the console right-side up and reattach the cables.

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