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The “upgraded Atari 1024STf” is a 2009 case-conversion project: its builder replaced the Atari’s internal hardware with PC components inside the Atari case. The report describes a 1.6 GHz Pentium Mobile system with 1 GB of RAM, not an Atari ST with a faster processor or expanded memory.
What the upgraded Atari 1024STf actually is
In a project report published on October 28, 2009, Hackaday’s Mike Szczys describes Gerritt repurposing a “crippled” Atari 1024 STf case as an enclosure for a modern PC. Szczys writes: “The internal hardware was replaced with a microATX board, a picoPSU, Bluetooth and WiFi transceivers, a hard drive, and a slot-fed DVD drive.” Read the Hackaday project report.
That distinction matters: this was a computer built inside an Atari case, rather than a documented upgrade that kept the Atari ST’s original computer hardware. The report does not establish whether any Atari electronics remained functional after the conversion.
Reported PC components and specifications
| Detail | What the 2009 report says |
|---|---|
| Motherboard and power | MicroATX board and picoPSU; neither model is identified. |
| Processor and memory | 1.6 GHz Pentium Mobile and 1 GB of RAM. These are the report’s specifications, not independently tested results. |
| Storage and optical drive | Hard drive and slot-fed DVD drive; capacities and models are not stated. |
| Wireless | Bluetooth and Wi-Fi transceivers; models are not stated. |
| Input devices | A 101-key replacement keyboard and a mouse rebuilt around optical-mouse circuitry. |
The report does not provide a complete parts list, board or power-supply model numbers, installation instructions, dimensions, or benchmark results. It therefore documents the idea and several components, but not enough detail to reproduce the build exactly or assess its performance beyond the stated specifications.
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How it differs from upgrading an original Atari ST
The Atari ST overview describes the 1040STF as a 1 MB ST with a built-in double-sided floppy drive. That is useful context for the original machine, but it does not show that those Atari components were retained in Gerritt’s converted case. Atari ST overview.
Likewise, Atari ST-family memory expansion information applies to Atari hardware—not automatically to the PC built for this case. An Atari ST hardware FAQ describes a 4 MB hardware limit associated with the ST/STF/STE MMU and discusses expansion approaches for models with soldered DRAM. Those details do not establish compatibility with the conversion’s PC motherboard or memory. Atari ST hardware FAQ.
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Hardware catalogs also list memory boards, storage interfaces, and network adapters for Atari ST users. They are options for Atari systems, not documented parts of this PC case conversion. Atari hardware catalog.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the project report can—and cannot—tell a builder
The project demonstrates that an Atari 1024 STf case was used to house PC components, including a microATX board and picoPSU. It does not supply enough technical detail to treat the article as a build guide. In particular, it leaves the exact component models, installation procedure, wiring, and clearances unspecified.
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Anyone planning a similar conversion would need to verify board fit, power requirements, connector compatibility, and enclosure clearance independently. The source does not give values for those checks, nor does it explain how to preserve original Atari functionality. A picoPSU is named only as a component category; the report provides no model or electrical requirements from which to recommend a specific unit.
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