Supporter Q&A #322

Here's the Supporter-only Q&A from August 8th, 2024. All comments and questions are fielded through the supporter service Q&A page.

TIMESTAMPS (please assume all links are affiliate / paid links that pay RetroRGB a commission on each sale. Even if links are currently not affiliate, I may update them with one, should a partner list that item for sale in the future):

00:00 Welcome

00:08 Don’t buy from clone companies

02:21 Xbox SSD vs HDD

08:44 Video converters

12:09 N64 stick replacement?

14:21 Make a SCART extension cable

[dannygonzalez]

For N64 sticks, I have purchased replacement parts from Kitsch-Bent. Keep all your original electronics and just replace the joystick and lower gears. He even sells the bowls if yours is extremely worn.

[georgeewing]

I have refurbed 4 N64 thumb sticks using Kitsch-Bent components. Parts were affordable and available. Overall very satisfied with the components and performance-accuracy of the rebuild.

[hadesmcc]

To Chris, I'd just suggest waiting on RockerGameMod's N64 sticks.

[TooBokoo]

I'd say the biggest reason to go to an SSD on your OG XBox is reliability. With no moving parts, it likely won't just randomly die on you.

[sasquatchintime]

Bob with the early upload for our morning cup of cranium coffee!

[TheRestartPoint]

I put a large SSD in my PS2 but ended up using an HDD again as it give no performance boosts at all. Like Mike said you will always be stuck with the limits and bandwidth of the original hardware architecture.

[lpuzzello]

My 2 cents on N64 Stick, There's a brazillian company called Pinheiro Analogic that's working on producing only the worn parts ( plastic stick ) of the Analogic stick. Didn't try for my self

[sneakingelephant]

N64 stick replacement is a deep rabbit hole and can be a video on its own. New Stock N64 controllers go for big money these days because speed runners want new sticks so badly and the metal ones basically got stopped being made resulting in them all becoming stupid expensive whenever one comes up on the resale market. I’ve just come to accept that I won’t have amazing quality original N64 sticks going forward

[lessimcdowell]

Can someone fill me in on what power brick companies to stay away from? I’ve been buying a lot at vintage gaming stores.

[Kaos]

A change in hdd will only decrease loading times. For better performance cpu and gpu upgrades are needed just like on a pc to make a game run better when it is cpu or gpu limited. There is a cpu upgrade for the original xbox but if you are looking for better performance in games and starting to mod consoles at that point might as well build a gaming pc that can be upgraded or even build a time correct pc when (X) game came out with the best hardware at that time which can be done cheap since the hardware is old and outdated. Just my 2 cents. I am building a retro pc that runs windows 7, 8, and 10 with the last cpu and gpu to officially support windows 7 to get the best compatibility and performance for games that came out during the 5th, 6th, and 7th gen consoles.

[robbyjvc]

Minecraft released in 2011, is minecraft retro yet?

[winterhell]

The SSD will help your Xbox be quieter.