GoKawiilDIY enthusiast builds custom Raspberry Pi CM5 motherboard to revive HP ProLiant N40L server
YouTuber EastMakes repurposed a 15-year-old HP ProLiant N40L micro-server by designing a custom motherboard around a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5. Starting from the open-source Raspberry Pi I/O board schematics, he reshaped the PCB to fit the server's original chassis, added an NVMe slot, USB 3.0 ports, and Ethernet, while trimming down to a single HDMI output.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The project shows how open hardware documentation lets hobbyists extend the life of obsolete enterprise gear rather than discarding it, turning a power-hungry, underpowered relic into a capable modern machine. It's a practical demonstration of the Raspberry Pi Compute Module ecosystem's flexibility for custom embedded and server designs.
- EastMakes designed a custom PCB using Raspberry Pi CM5 to replace the N40L's obsolete SoC.
- The new board adds NVMe storage and USB 3.0, features the original hardware lacked.
- The project relied on Raspberry Pi's open-source schematics and 3D-printed prototyping for precise fit.
Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 — This is the exact board at the heart of the ProLiant N40L revival project, packing modern performance and efficiency into a tiny module perfect for custom carrier board builds. If you're inspired to breathe new life into old hardware like EastMakes did, the CM5 is the ideal starting point for your own DIY server or NAS project.
See Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: tomshardware.com — Bruno Ferreira, 2026-09-21
Published there as: “Techie makes his own motherboard to refurbish 15-year-old HP ProLiant N40L tower server — Raspberry Pi CM5 adds NVMe and USB 3.0”
Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.