Installation - jago85/UltraPIF_Hardware GitHub Wiki
Motherboard Revision Differences
Most differences that matter to the UltraPIF are concerning the PLL chips. Newer revisions use a combined PLL (MX8350) with two crystals whereas older ones use two PLL chips (MX8330).
There are also different video encoder chips. These are only important if you need composite video (in case you don't have an RGB or HDMI mod).
Removing the PIF
Remove the original PIF-NUS chip (U6) using hot air. It's best to keep the chip in a safe place just in case you need it someday.
Hint: Be careful with the hot air gun to not melt the reset button.
Adapter Board
Solder the Adapter board on the footprint of the PIF. Pay attention that the R, G, and B pads are at the bottom.
Hint: Do not use too much solder as it can be hard to remove any solder bridges under the PCB.
LED Board
Remove the original power LED of the N64.
Mount the LED board where the original LED was.
Pay attention to the GND and +3V3 markings.
Connect the R-G-B pads to the Adapter board.
LED supply
For best results, the RGB-LED board needs proper supply voltage. +3.3V must be connected to the anode terminal of the original LED (the hole that is not connected to the GND plane). The current limiting resistor of the original LED is connected to +3.3V and the anode. There are two versions of this resistor. A single 0603 part (R31) or a resistor array RA1 (both on the bottom side of the mainboard). You can either drag +3.3V directly to the LED terminal or short-circuit the current limiting resistor. It is possible to replace the 0603 resistor with a 0603 0-ohms jumper or you can simply solder the jumper on top of the resistor (so that the original part is not lost). Also, you can just solder a wire on it or make a solder bridge. There are many ways...
Here is a simple supply wire:
Here you can see the resistor array RA1 and two possible positions of the bridges.
Hint: The RGB LED also works without the bridge on +3.3V. But it will not be as bright as intended.
Video Clock Mod
Hint: You can skip this step and test your UltraPIF installation first. So, you can check that everything is working. If you have issues later, you know that these are related to the clock mod.
Methods
There are two methods of how you can install the VCLK mod.
- Standard method
- UltraPIF clocks the original PLL chip (MX83xx)
- the PLL generates the actual clock signals
- has issues with newer console revisions using MX8350
- the MX8350 doesn't always want to lock on the applied clock from the UltraPIF (or fails when switching the frequency)
- Direct VCLK method
- UltraPIF generates the VCLK directly (fully bypassing the PLL chip)
- Easier to install
- Prefered method for consoles with MX8350
- no composite video on older NTSC consoles that use VDC-NUS/ENC-NUS (because the ENC-NUS requires a second clock)
- fully compatible with DENC-NUS or MAV-NUS
Here is a decision table for a better overview:
| Chip | Standard method | Direct VCLK method |
|---|---|---|
| VDC-NUS/ENC-NUS (MX8330) | works | no composite (RGB mod required) |
| DENC-NUS (MX8330) | works | works |
| MAV-NUS (MX8350) | unstable | works (recommended) |
Standard VCLK method
Check that JP1 on the UltraPIF Interface board is open to disable the Direct VLCK mode.
Remove the video crystal X1 and the two load capacitors C39 and C40 on the bottom side.
(This may look different on your motherboard depending on its revision.)
It seems that the crystal and load capacitors for the video clock are always labeled X1 and C39/C40 over the different revisions. If your console has two MX8330 PLLs, the PLL for the video clock (U7) sits more near the RCP. If you have a version with the combined PLL MX8350 the video crystal is below the PLL (U17).
Lift frequency selection pin of the PLL chip, so that it is not connected to the board anymore. Don't break the pin, you'll need it later.
This is pin 7 for both chips.
Connect the FSEL pad of the UltraPIF Adapter board to the frequency selection pin of the PLL.
Connect the XTAL pad of the UltraPIF Adapter board to the OSCIN pin of the PLL.
| Chip | OSCIN | FSEL |
|---|---|---|
| MX8330 | 6 | 7 |
| MX8350 | 13 | 7 |
Keep the XTAL wire as short as possible. You may use the hole of the removed crystal which is connected to the OSCIN pin.
Direct VLCK method
Close JP1 on the UltraPIF Interface board to enable the Direct VLCK mode.
Lift and isolate the VCLK pin of the PLL chip:
| Chip | Pin |
|---|---|
| MX8330 | 1 |
| MX8350 | 3 |
Connect the XTAL pad from the UltraPIF Adapter board to the VCLK pad on the mainboard. (The VCLK pin from the MX83xx stays unconnected.)
Hints:
Keep the XTAL wire as short as possible.
You can solder the XTAL signal directly to the VCLK pin of the video chip (VDC/DENC/MAV). But this could have negative effects such as reflections from the open unterminated pad that is left behind. Connecting directly to the pad under the PLL pin should be the cleanest way. (Anyway, I have never heard of any problems in this context.)
Here are some pictures of the PLL chips which show the important wires for both installation methods:
Composite/S-Video NTSC/PAL switch
If you want to use composite video, you can use the FSEL signal to switch the video standard on the encoder chip. The FSEL signal can be connected to both the MX83xx and the video encoder in parallel.
Again, keep in mind, that composite video is not working on the ENC-NUS with the Direct VCLK method.
S-Video may depend on your console and cable. I'm not very familiar with this. So please, check other sources or Google.
Lift the mode selection pin of the encoder chip.
| Chip | Pin |
|---|---|
| ENC-NUS | 9 |
| DENC-NUS | 16 |
| MAV-NUS | 23 |
Connect the FSEL signal from the UltraPIF Adapter board to the lifted pin.
Plugging in the Interface Board
Finally, the moment to connect the Interface board has come. But be patient and careful! The connector is very sensitive to improper plugging. You may destroy the connector(s) in this final step.
