Mister FPGA Metal Case + 128MB SDRAM + IO VGA + HUB + Fan for Terasic DE10-Nano

Figured I would give this a review since I saw someone else post a negative review. This kit works well for me (including the USB bridge). I use the VGA out to connect to a CRT TV using RCA cables (using the mister addons rca/composite adapter).Pros:- fast shipping- half the cost of the equivalent name brand parts- it's in stock at the time of writing this review (mister addons has been out of stock on the VGA boards for a while)Cons:- fan is a little noisy- instructions are not super helpful

I'll start off by saying, with this kit, you just need to add a DE10 nano, and you'll have everything you need for a working MiSTer FPGA stack with Analog IO option.The Analog IO board, RAM module, RT clock, and USB hub boards are included and are all compatible. However, the USB hub is a bit different than what I've seen in some build videos. Two things to note, which don't affect its performance, but will affect case compatibility: In some build videos I've seen where the DE10 nano is connected to the hub by a Micro USB connector that also mates to pins on the USB hub - this hub does not have those pins but instead has a Micro USB connector that is lined up with the one on the DE10 nano. Included is a bridge with two Micro USB plugs that you use to connect the two boards. Additionally, instead of the barrel jack on the back of the USB hub board for power, one of the "power only" USB jacks is used. The proper power swtcih/power cable combo is provided that splits the power into one barrel and one USB plug. Again, everything that's included all works together, but I consider the USB hub bits "non standard"; they work with the provided case, but wouldn't work with some of the other cases I've seen available from 3rd parties.I first built the MiSTer stack using the parts included in the packages the boards were in, but didn't put it into the case; I wanted to test it first, and it worked fine. Then when it was time to put it into the case, I realized the standoffs were of different sizes and I had to completely take everything apart and rebuild it with the standoffs from the case package and follow the instructions included with the case. This worked, and the end product is a nice metal case. However, assembly of the case with very "fiddly" and took me about 4x as long to assemble as just building the MiSTer stack itself for the first time. Getting things to line up was a bit tricky and I had two issues I could not resolve, although they don't affect performance of the MiSTer itself: First, I could not get the 3 "light guide" pieces into the case -- these are very small clear plastic pieces that go into the 3 holes at the top of the case over the 3 LED's on the analog board. They are very very small and I just couldn't get them to snap into the metal case. I decided to leave them out since they are non-critical. Second, I couldn't get one of the 4 bottom screws to go in straight; One of the internal standoffs is probably a bit out of alignment and I'll have to disassemble the case to fix it.One other thing about the case that I'm not sure about -- once I got the Micro SD card into the DE10, I'm not sure I'll be able to get it out without disassembling the case to remove the side panel. Maybe I can put something into the slot to pop out the Micro SD, but I'm not sure; I surely can't use my finger to pop it out.I'm giving this product 3 stars. For the cost, you get everything you need, and it all works - so that's a good deal. However, because of the "non-standard" USB hub board and case punch-outs, and the effort it took to assemble the case itself, I'm removing the 2 stars.Would I recommend this? Yes, if this build is your end-product goal. As long as you're not looking to change your configuration once built, you'll be fine. It was less expensive than many of the other kit options. (Don't forget, you still need to supply your own DE10 nano).PROS:* Good price for a complete kit (minus DE10 nano board)* Everything that is included works together* Metal case is nice compared to some plastic onesCONS:* Case is very "fiddly" to put together* Instructions are pictorial in nature, so be prepared* USB board doesn't have barrel jack power input, uses USB A connector* USB board doesn't have pins to connect from DE10 nano, uses a Micro USB on front

This kit will nicely protect your Mister FPGA stack. You have to bend the frame to get your setup into it but its not too bad. Solid quality

The USB hub/bridge is not functional. I don't know if this is a problem with the hub, or the fact that the usb bridge will not plug fully in to the de-10 nano. I tried on two different PCB's and it refused to plug in all the way. Also the fan was broken out of the box. All in all, this kit cost me an additional 300 dollars in replacement costs.