Trippy Apple G5 - PC Mod

I dont know if this mod is still going on, but Godspeed, if you wouldnt mind PMing me, i have a couple questions regarding my own G5 mod that im starting up. Im from Toronto as well, so maybe we could meet up so i can take a look at what youve done. :)
 
please continue GodSpeed! your idea with the laserpod has inspired me to do something similar with my thermaltake v3000bwa (tsunami case). I need to know how you wired the device into your PSU! (i currently have the antec neopower 480w modular PSU and it is fantastic btw :p )
You have come so far with it, look at all the interest from the public!
 
Alright, after looking at future options, I'm going to continue, however the insides will be 100% different than what was planned differently. I'm going to have to buy a new "crap case" to get a new back-end area.

Ps. It's my 21 birthday and I just blew away $2k various things since no one else celebrates it. Cheers!

PSS. COUGH COUGH http://www.puttyworld.com/gifcer.html COUGH COUGH :D
 
Anyone know of good strong cases with removable trays that are CHEAP? I don't care about the looks as I actually just want the back tray area. I'll be looking on the College Street "strip" tommorow for cases.

I actually have a due date for this case because I'm going to the Penny Arcade Expo as an undercover semi-sponser. I can't really talk about it until you see the case ;)
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811164039
$31.50 shipped, Cheapest case on newegg. Has a removable tray too.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6783325396&category=3669
$30 shipped, full ATX case

http://www.dealsonic.com/skmssialatxm.html
$39 shipped, Skyhawk MSR is all aluminum and has a full size removable motherboard tray with a 80MM fan attachment.


I'm using a full size EATX tray from an AOpen full atx case for my G5 mod, size is perfect, leaves less than 2MM between the tray and the side panel latch.
 
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Looks like that top link just has a mobo plate, not a full tray. Difference is that it doesn't include the pci bracket/i/o panel, just the bottom part the mobo screws to.

 
Dew said:
....
I'm using a full size EATX tray from an AOpen full atx case for my G5 mod, size is perfect, leaves less than 2MM between the tray and the side panel latch.
Click to expand...

You mean while keeping the latch? I really need to be able to keep the side panel locked :)
I'm still looking for local options, hard to find these at canadian retailers, ugh.
 
GodSpeed said:
You mean while keeping the latch? I really need to be able to keep the side panel locked :)
I'm still looking for local options, hard to find these at canadian retailers, ugh.
Click to expand...

Yep, I kept the side panel latch. I'll be posting my work log this weekend when I'm done with all the hard stuff. (Drilling fan holes, JB Welding the tray to the case, etc.)

This will give you a general idea of my design: http://woods.us/hardocp/g5-airflow.gif


Edit:

Worklog here: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?p=1027960606#post1027960606
 
Just bought the following from mountainmods.com :
1 x ATX Brushed Aluminum Removable Motherboard Tray
2 x 22 Inch Motherboard Lead (for extending front wiring)
1x Dual 12 Inch Blue Cold Cathode Kit (because I am a consumerwhore)
1 xDual 12 Inch White Cold Cathode Kit (because I was dumb and broke mine)
1 x 3.5 Inch Brushed Hard Drive Rack (maybe it will fit? otherwise I'll make an external HDD toaster mod (more on that at some other time)

Now to wait a week, I'm offically broke, if anyone wants to buy me some of that putty that would be awesome to keep me motivated. I also applied for a dream job at Gas Powered Games, the soon-to-be-makers-of-the-awesome-game Supreme Commander! Penny Arcade Expo is coming up real soon and I gotta get this all ready on time *rush rush rush*

More suprises coming soon!

Image of the tray:
120MOTRAY.jpg
 
uzor said:
Looks like that top link just has a mobo plate, not a full tray. Difference is that it doesn't include the pci bracket/i/o panel, just the bottom part the mobo screws to.

Click to expand...

Here's a quote from one of the reviews of this case:

"Best feature is the removable MB tray. The whole back slides out; what a pleasure."

Looks like it DOES!! I'm gonna have to check this case out too!!
 
I've been thinking about getting one of those trays but for $50 I could get this Skyhawk case as well as pick up a twelve pack or just pocket the extra cash.

When it comes could you give your thoughts on it? I'm still debating with myself over getting it from that case or buying one of those trays (I like how the metal under the mobo is all smooth not like the tray that comes with the Skyhawk case).
 
CrimandEvil said:
Blah blah
Click to expand...
It's all up to you, I'm simply limited to places that ship to Canada and making it easier on myself without needing to cut up a whole other case again.
 
Assuming that the MM tray isn't too wide entirely, it is the best bet. Because of the orientation, you can cut into the MM tray a spot for the side panel latch and not lose the 120MM fan next to the CPU.
 
Since I'm waiting for my main mod items to come, how about a mini-review of:
keyboard04.jpg
keyboard00.jpg

The professionally packaged box was opened and I was greeted with a thank you note:
keyboard02.jpg


Pictures are worth a thosand words so here are the visuals on this pretty thing:
keyboard01.jpg
keyboard10.jpg


Inside shots because half the keys didn't work (probably got dropped by my small brother), so I opened it up and pushed the wiring all the way in to make sure there was proper connectivity, worked like a charm. I also noticed that this thing is black through and through as far as plastics are concerned as this isn't your cheap spray paint job.
keyboard06.jpg
keyboard05.jpg


After closing up the keyboard, I connected the board up and we were up and running! The keyboard provides that lovely old IBM keyboard tactile feel and sound and not too hard on the fingers either, it's responsive and feels GREAT! Infact I'm typing on it right now to write the review. It has a solid adjustable hinge for those who preffer the greater inclination with rubber ends so it will stay in place.

Overall, if you want to feel L33T and impress your friends with your speed, accuracy and their inability to use your keyboard (great for people who have noob brothers!) you can pick up this bad boy from http://www.daskeyboard.com or if you are low on cash and have lots of time, you can grab your own keyboard and spray paint it yourself, however the quality of this makes it well worth the price. *Gives Thumbs Up!*
 
i would LOVE one of those keyboards.... but it is $80 :(

i'll just have to make do with holding my wireless keyboard under the desk on my lap :p

they can't use the computer if i hide the keyboard!

i think i actually have one of those keyboards (that style - don't know if it works or not or is the true clicky kind) in my basement. and it isn't USB, either. hmm...
i'm invincible!
 
FINISHING PROJECT THIS WEEK, TOTALLY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT I STARTED TO PLAN! Also I got access to a really sweet digital camera, so now all future pictures will be in sexy high resolution!

I got the backplane in the mail:
orig-backplane.jpg


Chop chop chop!
cut-backplane.jpg


My fluffy metal assistant was glad to help making the rough surface nice and smooth:
fluffy.jpg


Next step, destroying the G5 case:
destruction.jpg


Alright I'm kidding, simply making a hole in the back:
choppychop.jpg


More to come tommorow!
more_to_come.jpg


Bonus workplace image:
workarea.jpg
 
We ran out of dremel cutting disks, and since we really didn't have much metal work left we did it the old fashioned way!
handcut.jpg


After using magical metal studding to keep it in place we ented up with this ugly unsanded beast:
ughly.jpg


I went out yesterday and purchased some stuff:
cd-drive.jpg


Had some spare change and picked up some black PCI/RAM covers (Vantec, RAM ones needed to be sanded down to not pop out :\).
covers.jpg


More tommorow!
 
rogue_jedi said:
just curious - how are you planning to sand the back while it is riveted?
Click to expand...

everything will get sanded smooth *evil laugh*, don't worry about it.
 
This mod is looking really nice, I'm looking forward to seeing its completion.
 
Yeah, I didn't like it at first. Then I realized how nice it is. You have the two sticks in dual channel in the same pair of slots. It's great for using coolers like the 7700.
 
Minor update: BFG 7800 GTX arrives in mail, no sign of my new PSU X_x;

A new PSU? Yes. Stay tuned (it's not an Ultra :p)
 
Ok, big news. I got my new part. It's a PSU. It's not "just" a PSU, it's the most sexy thing I have ever laid my eyes on. It's the Coolmax CU-500T. I don't have a camera at the moment so you can see a review/picture of the thing here:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article257-page1.html

Now before someone tells me, "hey why aren't you using the one you got from Ultra?" or "Wow good ridance, ultra sucks". The truth is it's NOT because of performance or because Kyle's Psu kicked the bucket. It's because their cabling system doesn't fit with my system. The main 24-pin cord doesn't have enough bend to it to be able to mount the CD drive and other extra wiring for lights etc.

So, what will I be doing with that PSU? I'm going to give it out at Penny-arcade Expo OR save it for my companies big launch as another prize (with something on the side because it's open box).

Pictures coming soon of the final thing, trust me... it will be worth it. If you happen to be in the Bellevue, Washington area between the 26th to 28th... PM me and I will hook you up with a pass to PAX (Penny Arcade Expo) to see it up close and personal :D
 
Final update to this thread by me will be coming as soon as I get some high-res shots of the final case. It's a beauty... plus a big big big suprise!

If anyone on here is in the Toronto area and has a 3 megapixel+ digital camera, please contact me!
 
Oh crap, it's been a while. Uhm, yeah. It's done. Just needs a small plate modification for the back PSU area. That's it finished... It's over. You can go home now! ... Ok fine, here's the high res pics everyone wanted to see! Thanks ImageShack :D
I have high res (300dpi+ for print) on request. Scroll right to the end for some i-waited-too-damn-long-too-upload-this gifts :)

Just a boring G5 case
g5outside001lx.jpg


Debug/White Lights!
g5outside018ue.jpg


*flicks off lights*
Red Laser Attack Beams!
g5outside020vd.jpg


Oh god the colours....
g5outside030kw.jpg

g5outside042xw.jpg

g5outside052ns.jpg

g5outside061bz.jpg


Now for the disgusting internals which no one should see :)
As you can see, the debug lights are perfect for those dark lan parties, to see what's going on with the hardware or simply creating a good non-distracting night light. *loves practical mods*
g5insides018my.jpg

g5insides021un.jpg

g5insides033by.jpg


Oh hey, one last one for the go:
ilovemycomputer1bo.jpg


But wait, there's more! (1920x1200, resize as needed) - HORRIBLE WALLPAPER!


If there's any response to this I'll probably post another set showing the back, more different lighting effects (got a nice LED comet chaser in there) and a possible apple logo modification. Again, thanks a ton to LaserpodUSA for having such a wonderful product, I have another one sitting in my room beaming lights off the ceiling :)
 
Nice work. Good to see you gave up on the sideways motherboard mount, that looked like more effort than it was worth. Show us the back! I actually did a G5 mod myself and would be interested to see what you made of the back. I did this:

G5D3.jpg


I'm expecting your's is something similar? Eventually my G5 case drove me insane because of the hours required to complete it properly so ended up selling the case for $150 AUD which is about ~$110 USD fully modified to take PC components and with all the wiring done etc... maybe I regret that a little.. (sorry to hijack your thread for that moment)
 
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