This configuration is powerful and capable of running everything we throw at it thanks to the Pi4; for instance, Minecraft Pi Edition Modded is running on this setup.

Installing Pi-apps will allow you to add a ton of programs to this setup, such as games like DOOM and emulators like PPSSPP. We even personalized our Pi to look like a Mac by using a custom Mac OS theme.

In order to expand the Pi4's IO ports, we have also added a USB hub to this device.

Additionally, the display we're using is a touch screen.

3D Design

In order to model the 7.9-inch display, we first had to build the body of the model. To do this, we measured the display manually and created the model.

Then, as the display has PCB standoffs placed on it especially for mounting the Raspberry Pi, the Raspberry Pi 4 Model was imported into the design and placed on the back of the display.

whole model was then designed around the screen.

The design was divided into two main parts: the Main Body and the Back lid.

The main body holds the screen and Pi arrangement from the inside; The exterior features a curved screen front cover part that we made after the front appearances of vintage CRT monitors;

We modeled the front face by taking influence from CRT monitors, which shared similar designs. To enable us to print the main body and the front face using various colors of filament, we separated the two pieces. This will provide contrast to the model and improve its aesthetic appeal.

To enhance the visual appeal, we modeled a second part for the main body and created an opening that is filled with an orange-printed part. We named the following component the slot part.

I have combined two distinct pieces with two color tones across the model to create a single assembly, to enhance the visual appeal and design of the project.

The Base Lid part is modeled with a large opening in the middle. In this opening, we will add a grill for air ventilation, This grill part is printed from transparent PLA, and the lid itself is printed with orange PLA.

We have modeled two screen holders inside the main body that, when installed, will hold the screen and Pi assembly in place.

We also added a USB hub, which is installed on the left side of the model, since we could not access the USB ports on the Raspberry Pi because it was mounted in the middle.

On the right side, we have added a DC Barrel Jack connector for powering the Pi and the display.

There's also a switch added on the left side for turning power ON or OFF.

Once the model was finished, we took the entire design, rotated it by 13 degrees, and created a stand to support the entire model at a 13-degree tilt. We took this step since all of the old monitors had a slight tilt.

3D-printed parts

Following the design's completion, we exported each component into a mesh file and used two filaments—transparent PLA and orange PLA—to 3D print every part.

We use the above settings to print each part with our Ender 3 printer.

7.9-inch HDMI LCD DISPLAY

The Ultra Wide 7.9-inch HDMI Display, made by Waveshare, is the main component of this project.

This screen is fantastic; it has a 400x1280 pixel resolution and is incredibly bright. By holding down the ON/OFF button for an extended period of time, you can adjust the screen's brightness.

This is a 5-point capacitive torch screen that has a 6H hardness tempered glass panel.

This screen requires a stable 5V/2A power source to run smoothly.

Setting up the display with Raspbian OS

With our Raspberry Pi, we are running Raspbian OS, and the simplest method for installing the OS is by far utilizing the raspberry pi imager software.

After making the Boot drive into SD card, we open the config.txt file of the Raspbian OS and add the below lines in it.

hdmi_group=2hdmi_mode=87hdmi_timings=400 0 100 10 140 1280 10 20 20 2 0 0 0 60 0 43000000 3

You should also include an extra line in order to set the proper display orientation, which in our instance is 270°.

display_rotate=3

Here, 3 means 270°, 2 will make the display rotate 180° and 1 will make the display rotate 90°.

Additionally, we need to comment out dtoverlay=vc4-fkms-V3D in the config file

Waeshare has made a brief wiki about this process about how this display can be use with a PC, and more, which you can checkout.

Wiki- https://www.waveshare.com/wiki/7.9inch_HDMI_LCD

PCBWAY GIFTSHOP

As for sourcing this display, we got it from PCBWAY's Giftshop

PCBWAY Gift Shop is an online marketplace where you can get a variety of electronics modules and boards for their genuine price, or you could use the PCBWAY currency, which is called beans.

You get beans after ordering something from PCBWAY as reward points, or you can also get them by posting any project in the PCBWAY community.

Over the past ten years, PCBWay has distinguished itself by providing outstanding PCB manufacturing and assembly services, becoming a trusted partner for countless engineers and designers worldwide.

Their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has been unwavering, leading to significant growth and expansion.

You guys can check out PCBWAY If you want great PCB service at an affordable rate.

Pi4 with 7.9-inch Display: Test Setup

We must test the display first, and we do this by first incorporating the Pi with the display before beginning the body assembly process.

With the help of a multimeter, we were able to identify the Micro USB's positive terminal, which was directly connected to the input terminal of the onboard AMS1117 voltage regulator.

The plan was to supply stable 5V/3A to the Pi and the display using two different DC-DC Buck modules.

Raspbian OS

After installing Raspbian OS onto the SD card using the Raspberry P imager, we made the required modifications to the configuration file to enable display.

Everything was working smoothly after the desktop environment booted, and the computer did not lag.

Additionally, we used the Ethernet port to connect the device to the internet and browsed Chromium.

To use the OS, we added a wireless keyboard and mouse to the Raspberry Pi.

We used a 12V/4A adaptor as our power source, which powered the Pi and display simultaneously through the input of two DC-DC Buck modules.

After making sure that everything was running, we started the assembly process.

Adding heatsink to counter Heating Problem

One final thing before we begin the body assembly process: when browsing, we noticed that the Raspberry Pi was getting hot. This was caused by the heavy CPU usage, which raises the temperature of the processor significantly.

Two solid copper heatsinks were installed on the processor and Wi-Fi chip shield in order to deal with this issue.

Adding heatsinks will reduce the temperature and keep the processor cool.