Poor Mans Powermac G5 mod (Work in progress)

[ethopianprince`1]

BIG EDIT 1: Moving all images to imgur, will have links below. Damn that 10 image limit...You can check out all the images here or click as you follow along the post. http://imgur.com/a/AYVAs#0

 

Hey everyone! Im pretty new to actually posting on this forum (lots of lurking though), so i thought I'd get input from you guys as this build progresses.

As someone who is economical (poor AFstudent), most of the parts in the build will be 2nd hand from kijiji/ebay etc. 

 

I found a relatively cheap powermac g5, mostly for its sexy case. Only useful part other than the case itself was its 160 gb hdd. I got a really good deal on a shifty computer with a P6T deluxe mobo and a i7 920 processor, plus a 600w PSU, all pictured below.

 

The g5:

http://imgur.com/a/AYVAs#9

 

P6T Deluxe +i7 920

http://imgur.com/a/AYVAs#1

http://imgur.com/a/AYVAs#2

http://imgur.com/a/AYVAs#3

 

Shifty PSU and Case:

 

Nobody wants to see haha

 

The general plan for this build for now atleast is this.

http://imgur.com/a/AYVAs#0

http://imgur.com/a/AYVAs#8

 

So;

 

1.a Remove that damn CPU heatsink thats bolted on to the chassis with stripped screws. Cut the massive standoffs with dremel tool? 

1.b. Make space through the thin wall to allow the P6T mobo to pass through and actually fit in the case.

 

2. Move the HDD cage to where the optical drive used to be, also to fit that ATX mobo.

 

3.Fit a AIO 240mm cpu rad in that area, Ill somehow stick that badboy on the front side.

 

4. Rewire front IO so it can be compatible with regular motherboards (Damn Apple!), Too much work to do it myself so thinking of getting one online (have the site in mind)

 

5. So the Rear IO can actually fit inside this case, thinking of dremeling the rear shaded portion (possibly cutting through the (?) portion in case of PSU fitting problems.) Replacing the rear IO with some perforated metal with a cutout for the rear IO and possibly a rear 120mm exhaust fan. Might use a used aluminum baking sheet (cheaper!), depending on its thickness.

 

6. Possible cutout for a 360 or 240/280 rad at the bottom, a possible future update, not really thinking about it now.

 

As i do want to go SLI, in the upper area (where the HDD cage sat) Ill most likely install some supports for the graphics card. Not cutting extra IO slots because planning on going mATX anyways when the time comes (skylake? cannonlake?). The first portion of this possibly long term project is just making the system work and most likely upgrading the PSU (600W  shifty unrated psu probably isnt a great plan to use). The second portion will most likely consist of upgrading the core components (- the 780s). And finally the third phase will consist of decking this bad boy out, possibly stripping and reanodizing the sexy g5 case, installing a fullly WC system, Upgrading the monitor to UHD (or even QHD :C)

 

Phase 1:

 

I still have to get the ram (3x channel ddr3), Might have found a monitor for free, Getting the GPUs this weekend, and on the hunt for HDD/SSDs+ a PSU.

 

 

Let me know what you think! Since im pretty new to heavily modding cases, let me know if there are things i could do better, or just general tips on how to not f-up as badly as i possibly could. If you have computer parts that you dont use and live in Calgary, or are willing to ship (if youre in canada) please PM me, I am always down to buy parts that i may need, especially for this build.

 

Will keep this updated as the build goes on, lets see what happens

 

UPDATE: Got a 800w gold psu, 8 gb of compatible ddr3 (4x2gb), a 780ti, 120gb sandisk ultra II, a 1080p ips monitor for ridiculously low prices (300,40,65 CAD).

 

PSU:http://imgur.com/a/AYVAs#10

Monitor:http://imgur.com/a/AYVAs#11

780ti Classified: http://imgur.com/a/AYVAs#13

SSD: http://imgur.com/a/AYVAs#14

Mobo with RAM: http://imgur.com/a/AYVAs#15

 

 

For the case I dremeled the Motherboard off, went ape and ripped off most of the bottom standoffs for the old motherboard (Too high and not in correct positions). Seeing if i can get a different bit to get the screws for the top section off. If not back to the trusty old dremel  . 

RIP: 

http://imgur.com/a/AYVAs#16

http://imgur.com/a/AYVAs#17

http://imgur.com/a/AYVAs#18

 

Plans for the case:

image 1: http://imgur.com/a/AYVAs#19

Image 2: http://imgur.com/a/AYVAs#20

 

Essentially ill get a u shaped piece of metal (Picking up scrap tomorrow) and making that the I/O port. I can stick it using metal-metal epoxy or screws from the pcie port area, either works and the metal can be further customized for a 120/140mm fan (No measurements yet though.

 

Using the same scrap aluminum i plan on making a Motherboard tray which ill somehow securely attach (Need help with this!!!) it to the chassis. No screws though meaning ill have to find a weird solution to  this. I do plan on adding a cutout, from which I can make this easily movable. And possibly mounting for the 2.5 and 3.5' drives.

 

Cutting a hole in the Top part so I can mount my psu in there (When i get my mATX mobo later) or possibly a 360mm rad in the future if i decide to get more than just an AIO.

 

[Not_Sean]

I've seen some people do this so it is possible, but its not cheap. its some serious custom fabrication. 

 

I did think about doing this with my old G5 

[REX.exe]

Interesting.

 

Following.

[ethopianprince`1]

I've seen some people do this so it is possible, but its not cheap. its some serious custom fabrication. 

 

I did think about doing this with my old G5 

 

All the stuff ive seen used some lian li or caselabs mobo tray/rear panel, Im hoping that with a little bit of elbow grease i can turn that $20 dollar perforated aluminum pan into a workable rear panel. 

[Not_Sean]

The guy I saw doing it had to cut out the back panel and basically reshapped it to fit the ATX i/O board.  

 

In short, Yes very possible. 

[DigitalHermit]

Summoning someone with experience: @LukaP

[LukaP]

Summoning someone with experience: @LukaP

What!?

[DigitalHermit]

What!?

 

I meant someone with experience modding a G5 to fit a PC...

[LukaP]

I meant someone with experience modding a G5 to fit a PC...

I meant what do you need help with

[DigitalHermit]

I meant what do you need help with

 

Just thought OP could use some help/advice... (sorry for taking up your time)

[LukaP]

Just thought OP could use some help/advice... (sorry for taking up your time)

nono dont worry id love to help, but if its not something specific, i hardly can

[JAKEBAB]

How the hell did you get a G5 in such good condition?! It even has protective stickers on it still wtf!

[Norman_the_Owl]

Mmmm powermacs...This reminds me, i've been neglecting my build log

[ethopianprince`1]

How the hell did you get a G5 in such good condition?! It even has protective stickers on it still wtf!

 

Haha, i found one at the local E.R.A warehouse, they usually have stuff there for cheap, not to mention you can barter

 

Edit: Also, the outside has a decent amount of scratches, thus i might have to strip and reanodize or something at a future date

[ethopianprince`1]

nono dont worry id love to help, but if its not something specific, i hardly can

Haha, If you dont mind me asking, how did you attach your backpanel to the powermac's backpanel. I was thinking of bolting or using epoxy but im pretty lost on that.

[LukaP]

Haha, If you dont mind me asking, how did you attach your backpanel to the powermac's backpanel. I was thinking of bolting or using epoxy but im pretty lost on that.

cut out most of the back section (you can see my design and what i had to cut off in my thread, signature link) then made 3.2mm holes in each corner of the plate, and the same holes in the back (you will notice it already has holes, so i also used some washers to be sure) and i plan on using 3.1mm rivets when i have it all painted, to keep it together

[ethopianprince`1]

cut out most of the back section (you can see my design and what i had to cut off in my thread, signature link) then made 3.2mm holes in each corner of the plate, and the same holes in the back (you will notice it already has holes, so i also used some washers to be sure) and i plan on using 3.1mm rivets when i have it all painted, to keep it together

Cool Cool, excited to see how your build turns out. Im not getting the back to ima have to do some sketchy metalwork to make it work haha. How are you planning to fit your standoffs on your mobo?

[LukaP]

Cool Cool, excited to see how your build turns out. Im not getting the back to ima have to do some sketchy metalwork to make it work haha. How are you planning to fit your standoffs on your mobo?

ill take a mobo plate from an old case i own