[Jeffinslaw]

Introduction

Update - 1/26/14

Hey guys, my name is Jeffinslaw, I might accidentally reply to posts with Jayster because that's what I usually go by on all of the forums I belong to but anyways... so yah, back to the introduction. I bought an old PowerMac G5 case about 2 months back and it has been sitting under my bed while I work to get the required funds to build an actual computer in it. I love the PowerMac G5 cases, and the Mac Pro cases, they are very strong and robust. Plus, the sleek silver color looks amazing. This will be my first case mod.

For those of you who aren't familiar with G5 mods, what it is taking an Apple PowerMac G5, gutting the inside, and modding the case to fit ATX standard computer parts. Here are a list of things I'm going to do to my case: (this list will serve as the project goals list and when each item is completed, it will be crossed off)

1: Fill in holes on the inside from the old motherboard stand offs. Completed 6/27/12
2: Mod back panel with a Mountain Mods Removable Motherboard Tray Completed 7/13/12
3: Mount motherboard tray Completed 10/26/12
4: Cut top shelf Top shelf is getting nixed
5: Fit my PSU into the original PowerMac G5 PSU enclosure Completed 5/27/13
6: Create front panel cable for case
7: Put computer parts in Completed 5/27/13
8: Create completely custom cables for precision wire management Completed 5/27/13
9: Install Mac OS X Lion and Windows 7 Ultimate Completed long time ago
10: Install water cooling gear Completed 5/27/13
11: Celebrate!

So, as you can tell, it is going to be a long list. I'll update this thread frequently because it's almost summer break so I can get started working on this, I did do some minor work on it today.

Parts

Components:

CPU:Intel Core i7 3770k
Motherboard: Gigabyte G1 Sniper M3
RAM: 8GB of Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz (2x4GB)
SSD: 1x SanDisk Extreme 120GB
HDD: 1x Western Digital Caviar Black
PSU: Corsair TX850
GPU: 1x AMD Radeon 7970
Sleeving: Green/Black sleeving, undecided, might be Telios or MDPC

Water cooling stuff!

Pump: Swiftech MCP35X Pump
CPU Block: EK Supreme LTX
GPU Block: 1x EK-FC7970 Nickel/Plexi CSQ
Radiators: 1x Black Ice 360MM
Coolant: Mayhems Mint Green Pastel
Reservoir: Bitspower Water Tank Z POM
Tubing: Primochill Advanced LRT Tubing 3/8" x 1/2"
Fittings: Swiftech 3/8" x 1/2" Compression Fittings

Table of Contents

This is where I will post links to the updates.

Update 1 - 6/6/12
Update 2 - 6/8/12
Update 3 - 6/21/12
Update 4 - 6/27/12
Update 5 - 6/28/12
Update 6 - 7/13/12
Update 7 - 7/16/12
Update 8 - 8/28/12
Update 9 - 8/28/12
Update 10 - 9/30/12
Update 11 - 10/21/12
Update 12 - 10/26/12
Update 13 - 11/17/12
Update 14 - 11/18/12
Update 15 - 12/30/12
Update 16 - 1/5/13
Update 17 - 2/8/13
Update 18 - 3/5/13
Update 19 - 6/4/13
Update 20 - 6/14/13
Update 21 - 8/5/13
Update 22 - 5/14/14
Update 23 - 8/8/14

Well I think that's it! If you have any questions/comments/concerns/helpful advice you'd like to give, go ahead!

Jeffinslaw

Final Pictures

I will probably retake this picture tomorrow morning when the sun isn't shining behind the case

Same with this picture... stupid sun.

That's it guys! Thanks for a fun two years! Hope to see you all for the next project

 

[Jeffinslaw]

Okay guys, here is update #1!

Update 1 - Pictures of Case/Removing Standoffs

Small update, I have done a little bit of work to the case already. I have removed the upper panel and have taken EVERYTHING out of the case that was in there.

The case:

Inside of case:

Close up:

Now for some work. Notice all of the Torx screws? Yah, there is like at least 100 holding the case together and I have to remove all of them. Not fun...

Had some stubborn nuts as well... my solution:

Go get a pair of pliers!

Some removed motherboard stand offs:

And that's it! Like I said, I didn't get much done today. I did get all of the standoffs removed though. That was easy though. Sorry about some of the pictures, I thought my iPhone 4S would have preformed better, Looks like I will have to borrow the girlfriends camera!

Until next time...

Jeffinslaw

 

[shadowhero18]

HOW MUCH WAS THAT CASE!?!? i would love to do a build in there! so much potential with the front being all mesh!

 

[CramComplex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowhero18

HOW MUCH WAS THAT CASE!?!? i would love to do a build in there! so much potential with the front being all mesh!

these ones go for about $50 to $100. found one on my local craigslist here in TO.

 

[shadowhero18]

... no way...

that is tempting my bank account

 

[CramComplex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowhero18

... no way...

that is tempting my bank account

Srsly...I just checked fleabay and right now i'm seeing 1 at $40 O_Oa

 

[Jeffinslaw]

I got mine for $58 shipped. Keep in mind, you might have to buy a motherboard tray and back panel. You could try to keep the back stock but if you don't do it correctly, it looks bad. The motherboard tray I got was $60.

Jeffinslaw

 

[shadowhero18]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffinslaw

I got mine for $58 shipped. Keep in mind, you might have to buy a motherboard tray and back panel. You could try to keep the back stock but if you don't do it correctly, it looks bad. The motherboard tray I got was $60.
Jeffinslaw

just like haters gonna hate, modders gonna mod

 

[Jeffinslaw]

Thanks for the comments so far guys, I'm going to get another update out this weekend!

Jeffinslaw

 

[Jamster325]

Looks good so far

Going to keep a close eye on this, I'm currently working on a mac pro mod and its great to see how other people go about the conversion

 

[chasent]

I'll be keeping an eye on this. I love Mac Pro mods.

 

[downlinx]

nice, will be getting my worklog up hopefully next week on my g5, cant wait to see what you have planned. by the way picked mine up for $30 local computer store, hehe

 

[Jeffinslaw]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chasent

I'll be keeping an eye on this. I love Mac Pro mods.

It's actually a PowerMac G5 case. The way you can distinguish between the two is that the G5 has only 1 DVD slot while the Mac Pros have 2 DVD slots.

Thanks for checking it out!
Quote:

Originally Posted by downlinx

nice, will be getting my worklog up hopefully next week on my g5, cant wait to see what you have planned. by the way picked mine up for $30 local computer store, hehe

Nice find! That is a great steal! I hope it is in great shape!

Jeffinslaw

 

[Jeffinslaw]

It's update time! A very small one but still an update non-the-less.

I only did two small things but they managed to take me an hour and a half. First of all, I got the front panel I/O off.

And, last but not least, I got the case apart. Wow that was really hard....

Now I can fill the holes from the old standoffs, sand it down, and then paint it! Hopefully it'll be decent enough weather to paint this weekend.

As always, please leave any comments or concerns!

Jeffinslaw

 

[Jeffinslaw]

Just updated the parts list. I don't think an i7 3930k is within my budget right now. I'll save and get an Ivy Bridge-E one if they ever release.

Jeffinslaw

 

[ndoggfromhell]

Following this closely, just started my 3rd Hackintosh G5 case mod. I'm taking pictures and plan to post them eventually on here. Are you changing the color of the G5 case at all?

 

[Jeffinslaw]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndoggfromhell

Are you changing the color of the G5 case at all?

Nope! I'm keep the original color of the case. It's going to have a black and white theme inside but it's going to stay the silver color. That's why I picked the case in the first place!

Thanks for following!

Jeffinslaw

 

[BiscuitHead]

Subbed! I think the black and white on the inside should look pretty sick. Nice job so far

 

[Jeffinslaw]

Thanks! I can't wait until I get all of my parts. Anyways, I got a package in the mail today....

Fans! I got two 120mm, two 80mm, two 60mm, and one 200mm. I also just bought two Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB HDDs for $99 each! They're about 60% off right now on Amazon!

Jeffinslaw

 

[downlinx]

jeff, are you planning on painting or powder-coating the case at all?