XeniumMods v3.xx SneakPeak!

[Bowlsnapper]

Just now, Bowlsnapper said:

The chip supports UDMA speeds?

Wouldn't the bios still have to be configured to use it though? I'm confused now. Lol

[Bowlsnapper]

8 hours ago, NeMesiS said:

 

I was playing around with the idea for merchandise yesterday, LoL..

Even if it was just for myself and a handful of friends...

Not sure I really like the design on the back though,

will try a few more things when I get bored.

I'm planning to do one for CRTs!

[Dempsey_86]

Some weeks ago I received the package from @Nemesis with the dual fan-mod. After I ordered the correct fans I started to build it into one of my spare xbox consoles. The console is a v1.0 with cerbios flashed to the tsop. The only extra mod I did was replacing the stock GPU heatsink with the 12v mini fan with a fanless heatsink with one of a later model. 

Parts I used for this mod:

• Noctua NF-A6x25 FLX, 60mm
• 2x Noctua NF-A8 FLX, 80mm
• 3pin fan splitter (I used another model)

Step 1 Replacing the stock fan:

I decided to replace the stock fan with a 60mm noktua fan. First remove the old fan from the case.

You need to place the noktua fan in the bracket (mind the direction of the fan, the fan must blow air out of the case)

If you install the fan in the bracket you can add the mounting tabs to the bracket like this:

Then put it in place where the original fan was:

To power the fan I choose to use the 3pin header where the old 12v gpu fan was powered. In later revisions there is no fan header there but the holes are there. With the later models you can solder the fan header there (included in the kit). Keep in mind if you use this fan header the fan spins at 100%.

There are 2 tabs in the kit to close the holes from the stock fan on the underside of the xbox:

 

Step 2 Install the fan shroud:

To install the fan shroud remove these 3 screws from the motherboard:

Then put the shroud in place and put the screws back in place:

 

Step 3 Installing the dvd remove kit pcb:

NOTE: If you use a modern bios like CerBIOS you can skip this step because CerBIOS has an option to completely remove the dvd software by setting "DriveSetup = 2" in the cerbios.ini on your c drive.

If you use an older scene bios like ind-bios, x2, x3, evox m8 or project stellar you need to trick the xbox that there is a dvd present. Otherwise you will get stuttering in the dashboard when you go to the file explorer.

I just did stick the pcb on the back of the console with double sided tape.

 

Step 4 Install the dvd remove front bezel holder:

Remove the front bezel of your dvd drive and put it on this part of the kit:

And screw it in place with the 2 screws where the dvd drive originally was screwed in.

I also routed my molex power for the hdd drive like this.

 

Step 5 Install the 80mm fans:

Place your fans like this so they blow to the motherboard. Here I used a 3pin splitter cable (with this version I can attach 4 fans to one fan header). Also install the 2 cylinder spacers to support he bracket.

Screw the fans tight with 2x4 screws and use one of the 2 top peaces to do this (1 black and 1 blue)

 

Step 6 Install the hdd drive in the caddy:

Remove the dvd drive from it's caddy and install the 3d printed hdd holder:

Then install the hdd drive in it and screw the hdd from the bottom:

 

Step 7 Start to assemble back the xbox:

First you need to install the HDD back in the xbox, but before you do this connect the 2 80mm fans to the 3pin header on the motherboard.

 

 

 

 

Edited August 15, 2023 by Dempsey_86

[Bowlsnapper]

38 minutes ago, Dempsey_86 said:

Some weeks ago I received the package from @Nemesis with the dual fan-mod. After I ordered the correct fans I started to build it into one of my spare xbox consoles. The console is a v1.0 with cerbios flashed to the tsop. The only extra mod I did was replacing the stock GPU heatsink with the 12v mini fan with a fanless heatsink with one of a later model. 

Parts I used for this mod:

• Noctua NF-A6x25 FLX, 60mm
• 2x Noctua NF-A8 FLX, 80mm
• 3pin fan splitter (I used another model)

Step 1 Replacing the stock fan:

I decided to replace the stock fan with a 60mm noktua fan. First remove the old fan from the case.

You need to place the noktua fan in the bracket (mind the direction of the fan, the fan must blow air out of the case)

If you install the fan in the bracket you can add the mounting tabs to the bracket like this:

Then put it in place where the original fan was:

To power the fan I choose to use the 3pin header where the old 12v gpu fan was powered. In later revisions there is no fan header there but the holes are there. With the later models you can solder the fan header there (included in the kit). Keep in mind if you use this fan header the fan spins at 100%.

There are 2 tabs in the kit to close the holes from the stock fan on the underside of the xbox:

 

Step 2 Install the fan shroud:

To install the fan shroud remove these 3 screws from the motherboard:

Then put the shroud in place and put the screws back in place:

 

Step 3 Installing the dvd remove kit pcb:

NOTE: If you use a modern bios like CerBIOS you can skip this step because CerBIOS has an option to completely remove the dvd software by setting "DriveSetup = 2" in the cerbios.ini on your c drive.

If you use an older scene bios like ind-bios, x2, x3, evox m8 or project stellar you need to trick the xbox that there is a dvd present. Otherwise you will get stuttering in the dashboard when you go to the file explorer.

I just did stick the pcb on the back of the console with double sided tape.

 

Step 4 Install the dvd remove front bezel holder:

Remove the front bezel of your dvd drive and put it on this part of the kit:

And screw it in place with the 2 screws where the dvd drive originally was screwed in.

I also routed my molex power for the hdd drive like this.

 

Step 5 Install the 80mm fans:

Place your fans like this so they blow to the motherboard. Here I used a 3pin splitter cable (with this version I can attach 4 fans to one fan header). Also install the 2 cylinder spacers to support he bracket.

Screw the fans tight with 2x4 screws and use one of the 2 top peaces to do this (1 black and 1 blue)

 

Step 6 Install the hdd drive in the caddy:

Remove the dvd drive from it's caddy and install the 3d printed hdd holder:

Then install the hdd drive in it and screw the hdd from the bottom:

 

Step 7 Start to assemble back the xbox:

First you need to install the HDD back in the xbox, but before you do this connect the 2 80mm fans to the 3pin header on the motherboard.

 

 

 

 

Jesus. THANK YOU!

[NeMesiS]

7 hours ago, Bowlsnapper said:

The chip supports UDMA speeds?

 

 

Parallel ATA - Wikipedia

 

From memory I think the MARVELL can support the following speeds:

ATA-66 = UDMA 4

ATA-100 = UDMA 5

ATA-133 - UDMA 6

 

But don't quote me on that I could be wrong, I did that SATA adaptor some 6 to 9 months ago.

And I haven't had a good look at the reference schematic since then...

 

7 hours ago, Bowlsnapper said:

Wouldn't the bios still have to be configured to use it though? I'm confused now. Lol

 

I would say so... I faintly remember attempting to patch bios with different UDMA speeds...

I really can't think of what I used to do it... Any idea what that was?

Edited August 15, 2023 by NeMesiS

[Bowlsnapper]

3 hours ago, NeMesiS said:

 

 

Parallel ATA - Wikipedia

 

From memory I think the MARVELL can support the following speeds:

ATA-66 = UDMA 4

ATA-100 = UDMA 5

ATA-133 - UDMA 6

 

But don't quote me on that I could be wrong, I did that SATA adaptor some 6 to 9 months ago.

And I haven't had a good look at the reference schematic since then...

 

 

I would say so... I faintly remember attempting to patch bios with different UDMA speeds...

I really can't think of what I used to do it... Any idea what that was?

Use the correct bios that supports it. There are different UDMA version of Cerbios. Attached is an overclocked UDMA 6 Cerbios file... Hopefully Those UDMA versions of the bios aren't crippled by my adapter settings and capabilities. I think you're saying that startech doesn't use the Marvell?

Cerbios UDMA 6 Overclocked: 285 GPU, 777MHZ CPU attachment.

 

 

cerbios6oc.bin

[RMM]

11 minutes ago, Bowlsnapper said:

Use the correct bios that supports it. There are different UDMA version of Cerbios. Attached is an overclocked UDMA 6 Cerbios file... Hopefully Those UDMA versions of the bios aren't crippled by my adapter settings and capabilities. I think you're saying that startech doesn't use the Marvell?

 

 

cerbios6oc.bin 256 kB · 0 downloads

Startech uses the Marvell 88SA8052.  A few other adapters use it as well

[RMM]

1 hour ago, NeMesiS said:

I would say so... I faintly remember attempting to patch bios with different UDMA speeds...

I really can't think of what I used to do it... Any idea what that was?

I dont know what tool you are thinking of patching a bios but I know if you are using Cerbios you can use the Cerbios Tool to load a Cerbios bios and edit the UDMA speeds along with other settings: https://github.com/Team-Resurgent/CerbiosTool

Edited August 16, 2023 by RMM

[NeMesiS]

1 hour ago, RMM said:

Startech uses the Marvell 88SA8052.  A few other adapters use it as well

 

Yea and it's available in another package too "Marvell 88SA8040"

 

 

1 hour ago, RMM said:

I dont know what tool you are thinking of patching a bios but I know if you are using Cerbios you can use the Cerbios Tool to load a Cerbios bios and edit the UDMA speeds along with other settings: https://github.com/Team-Resurgent/CerbiosTool

 

Cheers... I won't be playing around with this for some time yet...

[NeMesiS]

17 hours ago, NeMesiS said:

 

Another project I'd like to start working on once I've finished the HDMI mod, is to try and upgrade the MCU for the OGX360 as the current Atmega32u4 is it's limiting factor for any further firmware improvements. I've already discussed this with Ryzee119 on he's GitHub but we couldn't decide which MCU to go with. So to show some initiative I want to retro fit the STM32 development board to Ryzee's 4 channel OGX360 board. I may just do an adaptor board and instead of routing traces I'll just have a bunch of pads and I'll route everything with kynar wire for testing. Along with STM32duino bootloader the firmware shouldn't require too many changes for it to work.

STM32duino (github.com)

 

 

Threw together a quick breakout board to attach to the Master header on the OGX360 by Ryzee119.

Only GND and 5v have been routed via copper pours with breakout pads for manually routing GPIO.

Supporting Master and Slave STM32 dev boards...  "STM32F030C8T6" are very cost effective:

STM32F030C8T6 ARM STM32 Minimum System Development Board Module For Arduino DIY KIT - AliExpress

 

EDIT: Let me know if anyone would like the gerber for this...

 

 

Edited August 16, 2023 by NeMesiS

[sixspeed]

19 hours ago, NeMesiS said:

 

I was playing around with the idea for merchandise yesterday, LoL..

Even if it was just for myself and a handful of friends...

Not sure I really like the design on the back though,

will try a few more things when I get bored.

Would totally rock something like this! Especially if it helps contribute to the project in any way. 

[big F]

Theres so much going on in this tread, it truly is the renaissance of the OG.

Top work everyone.  

[coldasijs]

@Dempsey_86 did you do any temperature and noise tests?

mine is pretty quiet with an 80mm noctua replacing the original fan an temperatures are quite ok. I would go for this solution if it doesn’t impact noise but improves cooling 

[Dempsey_86]

I only did a test with the fans at 100%. But I will do some extra testing when I have some extra spare time. 

[Dempsey_86]

I did some gaming 

The fanspeed setting I used: 

• in bios 100%
• in dash 20%
• xbox output fan is always at 100% (60mm)

The noctua 60mm fan is even at 100% reasonable quiet, not really loader than the stock fan at default speed.

In dash at 20% for the 80mm fans they do not come over the sound of the output fan

when in game at 100% you hear them if you turn the sound down but its not an distracting sound. 

These are all noctua fans, these are known to be silent, other fans can give different results, maybe yours cool better but have more sound, ect

The temps I had where:

• after playing colin mcrae rally 2005 cpu:39 mb:36
• after playing pro race driver cpu:35 mb:37

 

Edited August 16, 2023 by Dempsey_86

[Dempsey_86]

I did also posted the install manual for the fan mod here: https://www.xbox-scene.info/articles.html/sneakpeak-dual-80mm-fan-caddy-conversion-by-nemesis-from-xeniummods-r15/

There is some extra info added about powering the fans on a 1.6 rev motherboard. I wanted to add it in this post aswell but I can't edit it anymore. So I will post it here:

Quote

For v1.6 boards there is no way to solder in an extra header, for this console you need to use another way to power the fan)

You can power all the noctua fans from the one 3pin header if you want. The stock fan is rated at 3.2w. The 60mm noctua fan is rated at 1.44w and the 80mm at 0.84 each, so this would be a total of 3.12w for the 3 fans. 

 

[Bowlsnapper]

On 8/18/2023 at 4:29 AM, Dempsey_86 said:

I did also posted the install manual for the fan mod here: https://www.xbox-scene.info/articles.html/sneakpeak-dual-80mm-fan-caddy-conversion-by-nemesis-from-xeniummods-r15/

There is some extra info added about powering the fans on a 1.6 rev motherboard. I wanted to add it in this post aswell but I can't edit it anymore. So I will post it here:

 

Thank you. This last page has set me straight. Just waiting to buy a few noctua fans and It's going in. Sorry for the delay Nem.

[Dempsey_86]

It doesn’t need to be noctua. Im sure there are other good brands out there. The only reason I took noctua was because thats the brand that Im used to and know. And yes the brown is not so nice but tbh after watching for years on the brown noctuas I start to like the color scheme now haha

 

[big F]

Noctua have a good rep and last well.

Its always a compromise between CFU and Db.  Which is mostly governed by RPM.

Theres quite a lot out there on different designs of fans, especially 3D printed ones.

People have experimented quite a lot recently.

Sunon fans also have a good rep for longevity and theres alway several flavours of each so a compromise with the CFUxDBxRPM holy trinity can be made for each set up. 
 

Edited August 23, 2023 by big F

[big F]

Forgot to add that at that scale there is some influence with thermal dynamics and also with micro aerodynamics.   But that’s a bit too science for most of us.  3D printed fans will have more issues with balancing before the micro science gets in the way.

[Bowlsnapper]

1 hour ago, big F said:

Forgot to add that at that scale there is some influence with thermal dynamics and also with micro aerodynamics.   But that’s a bit too science for most of us.  3D printed fans will have more issues with balancing before the micro science gets in the way.

I honestly didn't know what part of the fans you were talking about. The housings, the blades.

But yes, that does make sense.

[big F]

32 minutes ago, Bowlsnapper said:

I honestly didn't know what part of the fans you were talking about. The housings, the blades.

But yes, that does make sense.

Theres quite a lot about blade design on YouTube, various things are being experimented with like dimples or odd shaped blades.  Waves and other seemingly wacky ideas that some seem to actually have some merit.

Even M.I.T got involved a while back.

[Bowlsnapper]

27 minutes ago, big F said:

Theres quite a lot about blade design on YouTube, various things are being experimented with like dimples or odd shaped blades.  Waves and other seemingly wacky ideas that some seem to actually have some merit.

Even M.I.T got involved a while back.

Like the winglets on planes. Theoretical aerodynamics. Cool.

[big F]

1 hour ago, Bowlsnapper said:

Like the winglets on planes. Theoretical aerodynamics. Cool.

Yes such a simple thing and yet makes a noticeable improvement on fuel economy.

Kind of makes you wonder why nobody thought of it years prior to when Boing and AirBus started to use them.

Edited August 23, 2023 by big F

[coldasijs]

On 8/16/2023 at 9:39 PM, Dempsey_86 said:

I did some gaming 

The fanspeed setting I used: 

• in bios 100%
• in dash 20%
• xbox output fan is always at 100% (60mm)

The noctua 60mm fan is even at 100% reasonable quiet, not really loader than the stock fan at default speed.

In dash at 20% for the 80mm fans they do not come over the sound of the output fan

when in game at 100% you hear them if you turn the sound down but its not an distracting sound. 

These are all noctua fans, these are known to be silent, other fans can give different results, maybe yours cool better but have more sound, ect

The temps I had where:

• after playing colin mcrae rally 2005 cpu:39 mb:36
• after playing pro race driver cpu:35 mb:37

 

These are very nice temperatures. Looks like a nice upgrade