Commander X16

I know this probably a ridiculous request, but it would be really cool if the x16 had rgb/fan headers... even if only for the flair of it Or at the very least, a kit that allowed one to be easily added.

For me, they just don't fit on a computer designed to mimic the look of retro computers of the 1980s. In my opinion, RGB headers are out of place. And fans in general. I mean, the CX16 doesn't get that hot (unlike modern computers) to require a fan.

Sarasaworks wrote: ↑Mon Oct 07, 2024 4:26 am I know this probably a ridiculous request, but it would be really cool if the x16 had rgb/fan headers... even if only for the flair of it Or at the very least, a kit that allowed one to be easily added.

If you want to do it the Pico PSU has a little extension with a Molex Header. I'm actually using that for a Fan and an RGB light strip in my mini tower X16..

ahenry3068 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 07, 2024 8:03 am If you want to do it the Pico PSU has a little extension with a Molex Header. I'm actually using that for a Fan and an RGB light strip in my mini tower X16..

Thanks! That would definitely help!

The tower build is for my daughter. The X16 is going to be the platform she grows up with, so I want to make it a fun and special experience for her. That said, I found this cute Mini ITX/Micro ATX compatible case by Thermaltake on Amazon that would be absolutely perfect!

The light blue accent would definitely complement the deep blue of the X16. I also found a Hatsune Miku themed monitor on eBay.

I'm only bummed that it's not the correct aspect ratio.

Well - there are 5V pins and ground pins available on the board (near the I2C header that most won't be using). I confirmed I can use those to connect a USB header to at least use the X16 to charge up my phone (or power things like an IEC SD-FDD emulator, or a lower-power LED array, or some lower power speakers; some fans might work on 5V, though I think many still use 12V? which you can borrow from the system PSU - done it ).

That said - I think an expansion card that was simply one of these LED/RGB strips would be a great product. And being able to programmatically access that (via POKEs to a port) would be instructive (and match one of the intents of the X16 as a teaching platform). Like imagine a build of Melodius, with a physical animation of RGB lights on the expansion slot. Or in BASIC, you've got the RTC - program in your own alarms, and let the RGB alert you. The electronic experts would say "that's like $1.99 in parts" but for me, I'd still pay $39.95 for it (because fitting it to a matching X16 edge connector, figuring out some suitable port to map it to etc. all takes some development time to figure out). It could have lights on both sides of the card too. Blinken Lights is always retro fun