GoKawiilYouTuber builds custom Raspberry Pi CM5 motherboard to revive HP ProLiant N40L server
YouTuber EastMakes repurposed his outdated HP ProLiant N40L micro-server by designing a custom motherboard built around a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5. Starting from the CM5's official I/O board and Raspberry Pi's open-source schematics, he reshaped the PCB to fit the server's original chassis, added an NVMe slot, trimmed ports down to one HDMI, and included Ethernet and USB 3.0 connectivity while carefully matching trace lengths.
The project highlights how open-source hardware documentation lets hobbyists breathe new life into aging enterprise equipment instead of discarding it. It also shows how far embedded computing has advanced, with a modern compute module easily outperforming a decade-old server chip while using far less power, offering a template for sustainable hardware reuse.
- A Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 was used to replace the outdated AMD Turion II-based motherboard in an HP ProLiant N40L.
- The creator designed a custom PCB using Raspberry Pi's open-source CM5 I/O board schematics, adding NVMe and USB 3.0 support.
- The project demonstrates a practical, sustainable approach to reviving old server hardware with modern, power-efficient components.
Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 — This is the exact board at the heart of the DIY ProLiant revival, offering modern performance and efficiency in a tiny module perfect for custom server or embedded projects. If you're inspired to repurpose old hardware like EastMakes did, the CM5 is the ideal starting point for building your own compact, powerful home server.
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”
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.