Mod of the Month - January 2008

2600

by Trindee
Worklog

Ah, the number 2600. It brings back so many great memories, doesn't it? Some of us older salts equate that number with a baud rate of modem that existed before quite a few of you were old enough to type. Another group of us might bring to mind a certain quarterly publication. And still others of us remember that number as the days of our youth – the Atari.

It is homage to this great machine, the Atari 2600, that consumed many of our younger days, that has inspired new modder Trindee to create his project. It is dubbed (quite unsurprisingly) simply 2600. And it began its life much like the Atari ended—with a pile of smoldering crap—for a case, instead of for games.

Trindee has decided to gut this case for its few useful bits and bobs, transplanting them into the new black walnut and plexi shell that he is fabricating. It may be larger than the original, but then again it's also got a lot going on under the hood. So, let's take a look, shall we?


How do you turn this ugly monstrosity into a larger-than-life replica of one of the greatest (and simultaneously worst) achievements in the history of computer gaming? With a little love, tenderness, and a drill, of course!



The old Apevia case is quickly gutted down to its most bare pieces. From this, Trindee will borrow an occasionally useful item – but little more. The rest of the case will be built on this lovely chunk of black walnut, which forms the base for his design.



Some careful cutting and joinery techniques create a nearly seamless frame – right down to the grain matching. As dry-fit gets tested, it's easy to see the shape taking form.



The new 2600 is going to have quite a bit more muscle than its predecessor, including SLI graphics. The backplate is being cut carefully through fitting, measuring, cutting, fitting again... rinse and repeat. The exhaust fan has been given a grille cut right into the acrylic, and the case will sport some additional cooling with help from a Corsair Nautilus liquid cooling system.

It's really great to see this project take shape, and it could be a worthy tribute to a true highlight in gaming history. We'll just have to keep an eye on Trindee's worklog to see, though!

In the meantime, if this retro love brings a warm fuzzy feeling to your heart, why don't you vote for 2600 as January's Mod of the Month?