Gaming on an Xbox Toaster

Product reviewed

An “Xbox toaster”: an officially Xbox Series S-themed toaster shell that the creator converts into a mini PC (“Toaster PC”). The build uses compact PC hardware (GeekCom A9 Max mini PC parts) and a custom lever-to-power-on system so it can toast while running games. Custom 3D-printed/varnished interchangeable shells are part of the design.

---

Key features mentioned

Xbox Series S-branded toaster aesthetic

• Officially licensed Series S design
• Toast output is branded with the Xbox logo
• Smoke was noted during testing

Toaster functions (original or partial)

• Includes toaster controls:
  • Defrost
  • Bagel mode
  • Gaming dial
  • Countdown/timer meter
• The original toaster heating behavior is integrated with the PC power logic

Converted “Toaster PC”

• Uses a compact mini PC: GeekCom A9 Max
  • AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX470
  • 32 GB RAM
  • 2 TB storage
  • AMD Radeon 890M integrated GPU (iGPU)
• Size constraint: the toaster shell fits only the mini PC “guts,” not a full-size system

Custom power-on integration

• A relay-based circuit maps the toaster lever to the PC power button
• More advanced relay logic lets the lever:
  • boot the PC
  • toast without keeping the PC button “stuck”
  • keep toasting during gameplay via USB signaling
• Includes a manual “force override” switch to toast without booting the PC (edge case)

Removable / upgradeable shells

• Shells can be swapped for different colors/textures
• Mentions a clear/transparent green shell with a premium varnish finish

---

Pros (from the video)

• Very creative and visually striking
  • “Insane” look in person, especially with transparent/clear shell finishes
• Authentic toaster UX elements
  • Toaster modes plus a built-in countdown/timer UI concept
• Can toast while gaming (eventually)
  • The integrated relay/USB logic supports “toasting + gaming”
• Good thermal behavior in practice (for an iGPU mini system)
  • Reported temps around ~68°C GPU / ~71°C CPU in a test scenario
• Compact hardware works
  • The mini PC fits comfortably and is described as “small yet mighty”
• Mechanical integration concept works
  • Lever-to-PC-power achieved with relays; booting and toasting were demonstrated

---

Cons (from the video)

• Toaster experience can feel messy/dangerous
  • Early tests produced significant smoke (“Xbox smoke”), with a warning not to breathe it
  • High voltage exposure mentioned (~122 volts), making it unsafe for consumer use
• Initial lever-to-power approach was “janky”
  • Without improvements, the lever staying down could hold the PC power button and/or shut down the PC during gameplay
• Gaming performance is limited
  • Radeon 890M iGPU in a toaster form factor isn’t comparable to an actual Series S
  • Some games ran horribly until settings were lowered drastically (e.g., CS2 “very high” initially bad; later “low” performed far better)
• Input/driver/controls issues
  • Trackpad/controller emulation caused ADS/shoot timing problems
  • Required pedal/wheel mapping and system-image/OS reconfiguration due to limited driver options
• Shell downsides
  • The clear shell was praised but described as exposing a downside: aesthetics/cable visibility (“could’ve been better cabled”)

---

User experience / workflow (what it’s like to use)

Booting / toasting workflow (intended)

• Use the toaster lever to power on the PC (via relay logic)
• Once running, the lever can continue to trigger toaster heating without breaking the gaming session

Not plug-and-play for gaming

The creator had to:

• tweak graphics presets and resolution
• skip shader steps sometimes
• change controls (pedals mapped to actions)
• reinstall/adjust OS (Linux/SteamOS variants mentioned) to make drivers/settings workable

---

Comparisons made

Physical comparisons

• The opening size was joked to be comparable to how a Nintendo Wii would fit (the claim: “barely fits”)

Conceptual comparisons

• Framed visually as an “Xbox toaster console,” but performance is closer to a mini PC with an integrated GPU than a real Series S

Thermal explanation comparisons

• Mentions a bottom-vent heat-rise theory; ultimately inconclusive

---

Ratings / numerical results

No official scoring system

But multiple numbers and performance details were cited:

• CS2
  • On a “very high” preset (after initial settings): solid ~25 fps
  • With Low settings: “banged off” ~60 fps (implied target; exact consistency not always stated)
• Hitman / WoW / other attempts
  • Initially “running terrible,” then improved after switching to low settings
• FPS cap / option
  • A 30 fps cap existed and was considered not the main limiter
• Temperature test (Master Chief Collection scene)
  • ~68°C GPU / ~71°C CPU
• Timing challenges
  • CS2 match completed in ~136 seconds
  • Toast timing discussed with multiple countdown references; no single final standardized toast duration

---

Unique points mentioned (distinct product takeaways)

1. Officially licensed Xbox Series S toaster branding/aesthetic
2. Includes defrost + bagel mode and a timer/countdown meter
3. Toaster opening is very large for big slices (sourdough fit mentioned)
4. Removes toaster internals and swaps in mini PC components
5. Uses GeekCom A9 Max mini PC specs: Ryzen AI 9 HX470, 32GB RAM, 2TB storage, Radeon 890M iGPU
6. Fits only a mini PC, not a full PC
7. Created a flared base concept for mounting (CAD distortion issues; eventually works)
8. Reworked toaster lever control using relays to map lever action to PC power behavior
9. Solved the “lever held down” problem with complex relay logic and USB signaling
10. Added a manual bypass switch to toast without booting the PC
11. Demonstrated boot + gaming + toasting together
12. Shells are swappable and customizable (clear/transparent finishes praised)
13. Clear shell exposes cable management/aesthetic issues
14. Smoke during toasting occurred early; warned against
15. Measured temperatures (~68/71°C) and investigated throttling-power causes (not fully solved)
16. Performance required heavy tuning; 720p considered for near-60 FPS goals
17. Control issues required input remapping and driver/OS workarounds

---

Different speaker perspectives / contributors

• Main narrator/creator
  • Built the project, did the teardown, electrical relay logic, and gaming/performance experiments
• Sponsored segment (Anyes)
  • Not about toaster-PC hardware; promotes PC remoting software and mentions a “low latency gaming mode” concept
• Other distinct reviewers
  • No additional separate voices credited; most content is from the creator

---

Overall verdict / recommendation

A highly experimental, impressive “gadget build” that works as a novelty toaster-PC and can toast while gaming using clever relay/lever integration. However, it’s not a practical consumer product due to electrical risk, heavy tinkering, and iGPU mini-PC gaming limitations that require low settings and workaround controls.

Best for: DIY/novelty enthusiasts who want a unique mashup. Not ideal for: people seeking a smooth, turnkey “real Xbox Series S” experience with toasting built in.