*COMPLETE* (for now) - GAEMS G170 Pro 1080p case build

[ClassicGMR]

I’ve wanted to do this for a long time. 😁
 

I managed to get my hands on a cheap GAEMS Sentinel Pro Xp 1080P Portable Gaming Monitor because it was untested. They stated that the input did not work. I figured I would take a chance. For some reason, they didn’t try a different HDMI cable than the one supplied and that’s all it turned out to be. I connected my steam deck to it, and it immediately popped on. Complete. Includes the remote. The 17” 1080p screen is gorgeous. All the latches work. $97
 

I bought a used AMR5 mini “gaming” PC that I’ve stripped the side panels off of so the cover will close and there’s no contact with the screen. It is running an AMD Ryzen 7 5700 U, 16GB RAM and 2 M.2 slots loaded with 1.5 TB of space. $205 eBay

 

I have on order a Pac-Man Xbox One controller because I need a gaming controller! Damn it! 🤣🤣 $48 eBay

 

This will run PS2/Gamecube/Dreamcast with ease. And it’s a full on pc.

 

This will take some time but when finished this is going to be amazing (to me). Especially for trips to family functions and vacations.

 

[ClassicGMR]

Progress has been made. 😁

[Draco1962]

Awesome project! How are the PowerA controllers compared to the official XBox controllers?

[ClassicGMR]

I have used PowerA controllers in the past and right now I have a blue wired one connected to my PC. I see no difference between these and the actual XBox controllers. I've had this one for a few years now with no drift. Still responds like Day 1. BUT... I saw Pac-Man and just HAD to have it. Should be in today or Monday. 😁

 

As an aside - Some have mentioned the PowerA line of mini controllers are great especially for smaller hands. I never owned one of those but have heard nothing but good things about them.

[ClassicGMR]

On 8/30/2025 at 7:54 AM, ClassicGMR said:

BUT... I saw Pac-Man and just HAD to have it. Should be in today or Monday. 😁

Came in and it is so, so nice. Moving right along!

[ClassicGMR]

I didn't get a chance to play with this over the last week but I hope to get some more setup done today. I also want to figure out a better way to mount the pc since the straps just aren't a great option. They are there.... they exist... they kinda hold it. Not good enough.  

[Draco1962]

1 hour ago, ClassicGMR said:

I also want to figure out a better way to mount the pc since the straps just aren't a great option. They are there.... they exist... they kinda hold it. Not good enough.  

How about Velcro adhesive strips on the bottom of the PC and case for the assist?

[ClassicGMR]

Actually already thought of that.  

The problem with that is I had to take both sides off the computer since they had added too much height inside the GAEMS case. The panels were beveled out creating a triangle effect which was hitting the monitor when closed. This means the velcro has no viable surface to attach to anymore. I was also tossing around the idea of moving the PC to the corner of the case and using short screws and some strong elastic fabric straps my wife has to hold it down.

 

I'm also giving some thought to swapping the PC out if I have to. I have a GMKtec micro pc I was saving up for an Atari fightstick / X-Arcade Tankstick build but that would require me to sacrifice some power to make it work. It has an N5105 and 8GB RAM but it's not a real processor so to speak. If I have to go that route it might be a good candidate for Batocera rather than the bloated Win11.

[ClassicGMR]

I put more time into this yesterday while watching New England scrape out a nice win in a good game against Miami yesterday.

• I am sticking with my first choice for the pc which is the AMR5 mini. 
• I have GameEx completely set up (with my beloved Space Invaders theme thankyouverymuch). The game selections go up to Dreamcast. I did not bother trying PS2 on this but I may at some point.
• I now have 2 configured XBox One controllers - P1 is the PowerA Pac-Man and P2 is an EasySMX X15 Mecha. Both are very responsive and feel good to use.
• I bought a  3' L and R HDMI cable so I can move the pc to wherever I want in the case.
• I have a small, flat power strip that includes USB ports for charging the controllers. I can mount it cleanly in the case - though I may re-order this one in black so it matches.

I cannot believe how much room there is in this GAEMS case when you don't use a console. I should be able to make everything fit without having to do modifications to cables or damage the case. Mind you this is the first time I have done a project like this. Usually I buy something already made - like the PiCade - so I hope I don't screw up too badly when I go to finalize it. 👍

[ClassicGMR]

Well it’s functional, fits in the case and nothing rubs the screen. It needs some lipstick but this pig - she plays! It’ll get me through vacation then I can spend time on it at my leisure.

 

I need to find a way to reduce some of the wiring. I need the extension cord to be that length but the power cord for the computer is being replaced with a 1’ cord. I wish I could do something about the other side and the power brick but it’s secured and out of the way. The adapter for the GAEMS case is a wall wart but I think I may find something that can put out 12v at 1.5A to reduce that monster cord. It’s almost 6’ long!

 

The controller dongles have a tiny strip of Velcro on them so I can attach them to the straps already in the case. No breakage and no losing them.

 

The power strip is mounted with 3/8” self tap screws. I added a washer to them and they do not poke out the bottom as I feared.

 

The HDMI cable routes just enough that there’s no extra length AND I don’t have to unplug it. 😁

 

 

[ClassicGMR]

On 9/16/2025 at 4:26 PM, ClassicGMR said:

It’ll get me through vacation then I can spend time on it at my leisure.

And guess who forgot the case on the bed... ah well. Now I have something to do when I get back from New Hampshire! 🤣

[ClassicGMR]

Couple of changes to make things smaller and fit better: 

 - I changed out my portable keyboard for one of these tiny handheld ones. WORTH it. 
 - I bought the shortest USB A to B cable I could find for my Vision-daptor. I refuse to emulate an Intellivision controller 😁

 - I also bought a small 90 degree adapter so I can keep the monitor plugged into the power strip at all times  now I only plug in one thing when I open the case - the extension cord  

it’s still pretty cluttered but everything fits even more comfortably now and it all works the way I want. 

Edited October 8, 2025 by ClassicGMR
Added info

[Draco1962]

Pictures or it didn't happen!

[ClassicGMR]

8 hours ago, Draco1962 said:

Pictures or it didn't happen!

 

[ClassicGMR]

Well it’s still a little ugly but everything fits and fits nicely. I’d like to say I’ll make it prettier as time goes by but I know myself. I probably won’t do anything else to it now that I have it all working the way I want and it’s portable. 😁😁

 

[Draco1962]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing your build progress with us!

[ClassicGMR]

Yeah… I got tired of looking at it. Having a computer in there with the sides off, just made it look so… junky. It worked, but after a while, I just could not look at it anymore. The computer took up too much space and squished all the controllers together. It just looked horrible to me. 
 

So I took advantage of the fact that I was going to change the computer anyway and upgraded it. I’m running a Geekom A8 Mini PC. It’s a Ryzen 7 8745HS with 4GB Radeon 780M graphics, 32GB DDR5 RAM and a 1TB M.2 drive. Active cooling. All USB 3 and USB C lightning ports. The best part is it’s a lot smaller. Everything fits so much better. NOW I’m happy. 😊 

[Draco1962]

And that theme... Just awesome!