Boring, unoriginal idea

[j-dawg]

I love G5 cases. I wants one.

There's one on eBay right now for a dollar, plus forty shipping. I'd be willing to pay that much to get it.

But then we come around to the question of whether I'll actually be able to do it at all. It doesn't seem that hard--just need to get the power source and motherboard to fit--but would it be hard, considering that I've never done any case mod work (or metalwork at all, for that matter)? The motherboard would only be drilling holes for the screws and standoffs, and the PSU would be a matter of shaving size down, getting a smaller PSU, or finding some ghetto way of making it fit...right? And then cutting the opening for the ports...RIGHT?

I know it can be done, and I've seen it done on these forums, but I want to know if I, with very little experience doing work like this, can accomplish the task. My skills are basically limited to being able to assemble the PC and being able to solder. na dI guess I could use some JB Weld or whatever if I had to. I was also thinking of getting a Dremel anyway.

Basically, my question is, would a case-modding nub like me be able to stuff a PC's innards into a G5 case, using a drill alone (and maybe a Dremel)?

With regards to the PSU, I have modest requirements. I currently run my system on a 300W PSU. My motherboard is an Abit VA-10, which is a bit smaller than a full-size ATX board. Dunno what the formfactor is called.


Respond quick please...the auction ends in eighteen hours.

Thanks

 

[Lord Argent]

That's a good question. It's been done before I believe and I agree, the G5 case is very nice looking. Don't know why I like it but I do. Can't really say if it's beyond your level of skill though, that's really gotta be a personal call. You'll need to do more than just drill holes for the mobo standoffs and jury rig the PSU to fit, you'll also have to most likely rig something up for the rear mobo connectors and so forth but anything's possible. I'd go for it.Before ya do though, here's something to check out...

http://www.thinkgeek.com/pcmods/cases/6bd0/

That's a Lian Li case, very similar to the G5, might be a better alternative.

 

[j-dawg]

With regards to the Lian-Li, I think they're fugly. Half the appeal of the Apple is the minimalist approach (I know, I know, Apple elitists, yeah yeah), and the Lian-Li's unperforated 3.5 and 5.25 bays look terrible...in my opinion. I also just want something to do, and this should provide an interesting project.


Yeah, I did look into it and it looks like a standard PSU isn't going to fit up top, and the hole for the embedded ports needs to be cut out as well. No big deal. The G5-PC at http://www.overclockers.com/tips1133/index.asp seems to be a good reference model, especially considering that I'm not going to be touching cathodes or anything like that, so I'll have a little more flexibility. The author has a nice solution for the power supply issue, and he also says that a micro-ATX like my Abit will fit, so I seem to be in good shape in terms of hardware. If I chicken out at the last minute, I can just sell the case (which I've already bid on) for a ridiculous markup. They sell those cases for $300, so if I end up getting it for <$20 it'll be an easy profit-winner should I choose to sell it.

Anyway, you've stepped up my confidence in my ability to get this done a good bit. Thanks much. I'll post here if I do it.

 

[Lord Argent]

Glad to hear it, I know you'll pull it off. It oughta look real nice, the minimalist approach is a valid and good looking way to go. I've been wanting to put together something in that mindset for a while (Not G5'ish but minimalist to the extreme). I'd like to get ahold of a large brushed aluminum cube and try to make something with almost no level of detail, stealth the optical drive, make it as clean as possible. Just a box.

 

[j-dawg]

Anyone know wher I can get a G5 case for under $100, including shipping, besides ebay? The ebay auctions get pretty expensive towards the end. I'm not really willing to spend more than about $100.