[Build Log] Jetstream - Powermac G5 Case Mod [WIP]

[MEC-777]

~JETSTREAM~

A custom Powermac G5 case mod project.

 

 

Back with another custom build case mod project (help, I can't stop! ). Shortly after finishing Project Stalker v2.0 I picked up a cheap Powermac G5 PC for $80. This is potentially going to replace the S340 of my main gaming rig - depending on how well this turns out. Have tons of ideas for this and still haven't finalized the internal layout yet (that will be revealed later on). All I can say at this point is that it will be quite different than what most people do with these G5's when they do a standard PC hardware conversions in them. The emphasis will be on air flow, low temps and low noise - all air-cooled. One thing is for sure; this is the most ambitious case mod/build I've taken on yet and it's going to take a long time to complete. There may be weeks/months between updates (though I hope not...). 

 

Jetstream (air currents in the atmosphere) is a working title for this project. Feeling pretty good about it, but other suggestions are welcome.

 

 

Specs will be: 

 

*i7-4790 (can get one brand new for $300 CAD - which right now is basically = to 40% off) - Yet to be purchased. (Currently running an i5-4570)

Cryorig H7 CPU cooler - Yet to be purchased.

Asus Z97-E

Kingston Hyper-X Black 2x4GB 1600

*Kingston Fury-X White 2x4GB 1600 - Yet to be puchased.

Samsung 840 120GB SSD

*2x 500GB SSD's or 1x 1TB SSD - Yet to be purchased (going all SSD's for this build as HDD's are a pain to deal with, take up too much space and are slow  ).

Asus Strix GTX 980 OC 4GB

EVGA 850GS fully modular PSU

 

Basically most of the parts listed are from my current main gaming rig, except for those parts not yet purchased (duh) lol. This will  serve as a bit of an upgrade for this system, more or less.

 

Thing is huge and weighs just shy of 40lbs as-is.  

 

 

 

Can't wait to grab the Dremel cutter, roll up my sleeves and get dirty again!  

 

First things first, have to gut this thing and get it all cleaned up - see what exactly I'll be working with.  

 

A few tags from those who followed the Stalker project:

Spoiler

@arnavvr @bear-in-the-air @Benjamin Fenech @Cvdasfg @dark_xzyph3r @Darkman @gazabi @hearthofsin @Heesleemer @HellaflushMcSwaggins @kerfurfulsnitz @Kgs75 @Madfang @mr.squishy @paddy-stone @pcnoob99 @Rumikarimu @ShaolinBear @TheKDub @TomvanWijnen 

 

Next update coming soon. Thanks for looking.  

[Aytex]

i saw your stalker build on pcp, i didn't know you we're on the forums

[iamdarkyoshi]

You picked it up for 80 bucks? I can get them for free lol

[pagani123]

subbed also just to let you know the mac pro case a a bitch to work on (speaking from experience)

[MEC-777]

10 minutes ago, iamdarkyoshi said:

You picked it up for 80 bucks? I can get them for free lol

$80 is cheap for these around here. Most people still think they're worth $250+. Because mac? lol

[hearthofsin]

my body is ready.
followed

[HelplmChoking]

 

Subbed, I freaking love the G5 case.

[Heesleemer]

I may have to restart my 2nd g5 mod to compete... which means I need a cpu and a motherboard

 

Cant wait!

[iamdarkyoshi]

2 hours ago, MEC-777 said:

$80 is cheap for these around here. Most people still think they're worth $250+. Because mac? lol

Then my 2008 imac must be worth 1k

[WaterproofBeanie]

I love the old mac cases

[paddy-stone]

Nice, looking for ward to seeing this in progress

[HellaflushMcSwaggins]

Can't wait to see how awesome this is going to be

[MEC-777]

UPDATE: Gutted the case and have begun the first stages of chassis preparation. 

 

Such odd non-standard hardware. The motherboard is massive - basically 80% of the size of the whole interior. Taking this thing apart was an interesting learning experience, to say the least. 

 

 

 

 

The dual 2.0GHz processors are fixed on their own separate daughterboards which plug in to the main motherboard. I've never seen anything like this before. Getting the little torx screws out on the inside of the giant heatsinks was a challenge.

 

Behold! The powerful ATi Radeon 9600 Pro 64MB!!!

 

First look at the interior of the case. Very clean cable management - I'll give them that. Dis-assembly at this point was quite easy. 

 

Very interesting design here. At the top, in the center, they have an axial and a blower fan that would move air through the back section to cool the hard drives. With all the shrouds and an placements, you can tell they really gave a lot of thought and design into air flow dynamics this case.

 

The PSU - responsible for a good chunk of the weight of this thing. Took up the whole bottom section of the case.

 

First look at the bare interior. Lots of room to work with - a nice blank canvas.  

 

 

 

Really digging the openness. This thing is gonna flow air like a Rolls Royce Trent 970.

 

Grabbed my spare HX850 PSU to start looking at component placement. It works but the transformer/coil buzzes, thus I don't use it for anything other than what you see here. It's bigger than the EVGA PSU that will be going in, but only by about 10mm in length. So I know if this fits, the EVGA will fit for sure.  This is not necessarily where the PSU will go (most likely not). 

 

Might reuse this dual 92mm fan mount bracket, trim it and replace the fans with better ones. Not sure yet. 

 

Spent A LONG time trying to figure out where and how to mount the two HDD's from my current system and make it work with the internal layout I have in mind. Thought about using a few hot-swap bays which would be convenient, but also would take up too much space and obstruct air flow. Ended up deciding to just do away with mechanical HDD's. It's 2016. 480GB SSD's can be had for as low as $150 now. They don't need to be "the fastest" either as even the lower-end SSD's are still WAAAAY faster than your typical 7200rpm HDD's. I realize that by going with two 480GB SSD's I will be cutting my total storage capacity by half, but I've come to realize that most of the games I have installed I don't play. lol. There are a handful of games I play on a regular basis and I figure nearly 1TB of storage is still plenty. Will be keeping the two HDD's for external storage regardless for game capture footage etc. where the speed to access that data is not as important. 

 

Not sure if I'm going to use that upper mid-plate shelf or not. Still playing mental gymnastics to try and finalize the internal layout.

 

Another post with more pics in-bound in a few minutes...

[iamdarkyoshi]

You are all going to kill me for this, but I am using my powermac for the aluminum

[hearthofsin]

noctua redux fans would go well with this case! 

[MEC-777]

13 hours ago, iamdarkyoshi said:

Then my 2008 imac must be worth 1k

This one is from 2003 so it's pretty old by today's standards.

[MEC-777]

23 minutes ago, iamdarkyoshi said:

You are all going to kill me for this, but I am using my powermac for the aluminum

Damn, that is one huge heatsink! lol 

17 minutes ago, hearthofsin said:

noctua redux fans would go well with this case! 

As nice as they look and perform, I refuse to use/buy Noctua fans. Not when you can get the same performance in terms of airflow and silence with the Deepcool GF120's for a fraction of the cost. 

 

 

Planning to use a combination of those GF120's along with these TF120's (white's with white LEDs), exclusively.

 

I have two GF120's as intake fans in my S340 right now. Never used a better fan. They flow a ton of air and run very quiet, even at full speed. They also match the noisy Corsair SP120's for static pressure!  

 

Seriously, anyone looking for good high quality, high-performing, silent fans, you don't have to break the bank with Noctuas. Go with these Deepcool GF/TF's.  

[iamdarkyoshi]

1 minute ago, MEC-777 said:

Damn, that is one huge heatsink! lol 

As nice as they look and perform, I refuse to use/buy Noctua fans. Not when you can get the same performance in terms of airflow and silence with the Deepcool GF120's for a fraction of the cost. 

 

 

 

Planning to use a combination of those GF120's along with these TF120's (white's with white LEDs), exclusively.

 

I have two GF120's as intake fans in my S340 right now. Never used a better fan. They flow a ton of air and run very quiet, even at full speed. They also match the noisy Corsair SP120's for static pressure!  

 

Seriously, anyone looking for good high quality, high-performing, silent fans, you don't have to break the bank with Noctuas. Go with these Deepcool GF/TF's.  

Its actually 20 heatsinks and more will be added to the other side....

[MEC-777]

24 minutes ago, iamdarkyoshi said:

Its actually 20 heatsinks and more will be added to the other side....

Well, when you go passive, you gotta go big.

[iamdarkyoshi]

Just now, MEC-777 said:

Well, when you go passive, you gotta go big.

Well, when you go passive hawaii, you gotta go massive

[Heesleemer]

13 minutes ago, MEC-777 said:

Well, when you go passive, you gotta go big.

no way <3

[MEC-777]

1 hour ago, Heesleemer said:

no way <3

Don't be confused, my build is not going to be passive. I was referring to @iamdarkyoshi's build.

[iamdarkyoshi]

Just now, MEC-777 said:

Don't be confused, my build is not going to be passive. I was referring to @iamdarkyoshi's build.

Would be interesting to turn it sideways and see how it cools

[Heesleemer]

31 minutes ago, MEC-777 said:

Don't be confused, my build is not going to be passive. I was referring to @iamdarkyoshi's build.

aw

 

Although intake fans and a slow exaust with passive air cooling may work due to who well air coolingworks on the g5 case

[MEC-777]

Ok, here's the next update with pics that I promised earlier today. 

 

Grabbed the Dremel and went to work. All the original motherboard and various component standoffs had to go. Started cutting and after most of them were removed, the right-angle attachment on my Dremel tool broke!  There's a flexible shaft inside that fits into a square-shaped collar and the collar had stripped.  Had to run the cutting blade straight off the end which proved to be a little more difficult to work with. But it still got the job done in the end. 

 

When I started sanding where the standoffs had been removed, it became clear that I removed a little too much material in a few places. Not much, but enough that it bothers me. Will apply some filler than re-sand to make sure it's nice and flat.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next step is to do a good thorough cleaning of the whole case, inside and out. There still a lot of dust and crud on the inside - especially down near the front where the intake for the PSU was. Will grab some brake parts cleaner from a local auto parts store and go to town. That will remove all dust, dirt oil etc.