Overclocking the N64...

sQuareh4t3r

formerly "sQuareh4t3r", then "MacGuffin", now "sQu
Joined
Nov 23, 2003
Posts
2,661
I was looking through a forum on GameFAQs (yes, yes, I know) and came across a topic on overclocking the N64. Here were the links the user posted for reference:

Rudimentary site, but good info

A photo album of the mod process

Sounds dandy; I'll have to pick up one of those colored units and give it a shot. However, there were some things I was thinking about that might possibly make the mod better. I'll list them and then maybe you guys can assess whether or not it would make a difference or whether or not it's actually possible.

First of all, I would prefer (if possible) to add a switch that would allow the user to select between standard operation and overclocked operation. That way, you could always go back to the old crappiness to give the unit a break from the heat.

I guess the only other thing I could think of is possibly installing a PC heatsink/fan to help with the overheating problem. That way, you wouldn't have to worry about taking breaks to let the unit cool down and to prevent damage to the system.

Anyway, I thought I would share this with you guys and get your input. I for one would be pretty excited to play Perfect Dark at a constant framerate. Oh my God, I am going into a catatonic state just thinking about it...
 

acem77

Angel's Love Slave
20 Year Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2003
Posts
914
cool news but now i need a color n64.............................
 

P00t

Fuck eBay & PayPal,
Joined
Jan 24, 2004
Posts
2,745
squareh4t3r said:
I was looking through a forum on GameFAQs (yes, yes, I know) and came across a topic on overclocking the N64. Here were the links the user posted for reference:

Rudimentary site, but good info

A photo album of the mod process

Sounds dandy; I'll have to pick up one of those colored units and give it a shot. However, there were some things I was thinking about that might possibly make the mod better. I'll list them and then maybe you guys can assess whether or not it would make a difference or whether or not it's actually possible.

First of all, I would prefer (if possible) to add a switch that would allow the user to select between standard operation and overclocked operation. That way, you could always go back to the old crappiness to give the unit a break from the heat.

I guess the only other thing I could think of is possibly installing a PC heatsink/fan to help with the overheating problem. That way, you wouldn't have to worry about taking breaks to let the unit cool down and to prevent damage to the system.

Anyway, I thought I would share this with you guys and get your input. I for one would be pretty excited to play Perfect Dark at a constant framerate. Oh my God, I am going into a catatonic state just thinking about it...

I posted the same thing about 7 months ago, they claimed that it shortens the life of your n64 so nobody bothered with it.

On the plus side it only made Perfect dark run as it should without the lag effect that occurs now and again during game play.
 

sQuareh4t3r

formerly "sQuareh4t3r", then "MacGuffin", now "sQu
Joined
Nov 23, 2003
Posts
2,661
Well, I went ahead and did the mod. Easy to do, not much trouble at all, and the results are great. Perfect Dark, Donkey Kong 64, and any games that have framerate problems pretty much run as smooth as silk now. There is no noticeable overheating, and I have played for a few hours without any adverse effects. This might not be the case in the long run, but N64s only cost about ten bucks, so who really cares? I also took the liberty of adding a green LED to the unit so I would know the difference between my modded and unmodded units. Here's an image for anyone who cares to look. Sorry about the crappy quality; I don' t have a flash on the el cheapo digital camcorder it was taken with.
 

C.A.R25

Genjuro's Frog
Joined
Aug 8, 2004
Posts
1,136
Looks cool =D

Thanks for the info... I will try getting another n64 to try this on, probably I can even make a portable out of it :D
 
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