Power Mac G5 modders... Advice please :)

[d_brennen]

looking good keep it up

Thanks, with the time of year and all I think this one will drag somewhat. Thisis why I haven't made this a build log as such

I'd love to do a PC in the mac case, too much hard work for me though. Someone should pre-make them and put them on the bay

The hard work is what makes it worthwhile doing! I have a pefectly good case...

 

[d_brennen]

Im not planning on doing anything til next year. Money and everything

Let me know when you get started, by this thread or trust. It seems all uphill I have picked up a couple of pro tips along the way too

 

[Ptikobj]

Will do

 

[d_brennen]

Small (very) update

After being flat out busy over the last few weeks I've barely thought about this little project. Hopefully I can put some more time into it.

The outer shell of the Mac G5 has a load of stand-offs for the original board and CPUs etc that came installed. These aren't any good for an ATX form unfortunately, so had to go. After much head scratching on how to remove these without damaging the aluminium too much, I came to an unexpected conclusion.

The circled bits are the stand-offs. I had considered Dremeling these bad boys off, hitting them with an angle grinder, filing them down by hand...

A few little taps either side and they just pop out Apple over engineering being what it is I was expected these to be welded in!

In the picture above you can see a small screw mount thingy in the centre of the photo, I plan to use these to mount a piece of aluminium to cover the rough holes and tidy up the insides.

Next jobs include:

Getting some sheet aluminium
Cutting it to size for the inside cavity and rear of the PC
Cutting out the mesh at the rear of the and replacing it with a custom piece
And much more

 

[pingwing]

Ah thats reassuring you can just tap them off! (been wondering how to do it for a while but havnt had time yet)

Seems like you got lucky as the bits that hold the hard drive cage in at the top are more secure (and one gave my inner cage a slight dent)

 

[StoutMeister]

Keep posting pictures, and the best of luck to you...This should be very interesting

 

[DeadMan]

Subscribed!

 

[d_brennen]

Subscribed!

Good good! I've been scanning your thread too This will be a long, slow build due to work and family commitments Hoping for something like this in the end...

http://www.overclock.net/case-mod-work-logs/801811-powdercoated-apple-g5.html

I'd appreciate any input you have!

 

[DeadMan]

I see you had fun with the stand off's as well!

I am happy to answer any questions you have

 

[Ptikobj]

That's pretty interesting with the stand off's. I really need to get hold of a hex allen key kit. What size are the bolts that hold the lot together?

 

[d_brennen]

Well I am not sure of the exact size, I used a T6 (or 8, I forget), T10 and T15 bits for different parts. I needed to order an extra long magnetic torx to get the CPUs out! I will have a look at the bolts I have in the morning.

Getting the CPUs out was a real ball ache though. You'll need a long driver for that and quite a short one for the case parts. There are some bolts on the inside edges of the case, where the side panel comes off. I'm going to try and get some more prep work done tomorrow, I need some metal cutting tools too

 

[d_brennen]

Reett.... Been mega busy and not touched this for a while. Some progress is being made but nowt to show for it yet. I've ordered some aluminium sheet from a metal works company (I'll not plug them until I see if they do a good job ) all cut to size for me. TBH I've never cut sheet metal so probably would have done a half arsed job!

Going to fully water cool the machine when all the pretty bits are done, due to the upside down nature of Power Mac layout getting decent air cooling would not gel with my ideas. In the meantime I am looking for a cheap H50 or Domino...

 

[d_brennen]

Metal still hasn't arrived from the metal company Done a little cutting to the rear IO panel to keep me entertained

Done using just a Dremel (or rather a cheapo Dremel knockoff ) and a reinforced fibreglass cutting wheel. Next part will be cutting out the bottom of the inside case, making room for a 360 rad, 120mm fans and grills...

Next post will have some crude amateurish diagrams of my plans

 

[d_brennen]

Metal finally arrived! I have 3 sections - inside back cover, rear I/O plate and a thin slither for between the I/O and back

First up, measured all the bits. They're all spot on to the millimetre thankfully. I am a bit disappointed with the finish. The other side of the sheet is covered with a blue film to protect it but the other side of the metal on all bits are quite scratchy. Hoping the powder coating process covers everything

The aluminium sheet is of the 2mm variety and very easy to drill, even with my trusty Dremel knock off All the holes needed to bolt it together are done. Need to source some small bolts with wide heads, among other things

Oh and thumbs up to OcUK on next day delivery of my Phobia 240mm radiator grill next day to Northern Ireland with free delivery too!

Here's the inside cover piece laid in place, film side up

 

[Ptikobj]

Looking nice

 

[sHo0sH]

Any updates?

I am thinking about taking this project on myself and was wondering how much of a mammoth task it was...