New Case

[clocker]

I just acquired an Apple G5 (http://www.apple.com/powermac/) case.
Naturally, it is completely unsuitable for any PC build as is, but could be adapted without going to ridiculous extremes.

Open to suggestions....

What should I do with it?

Craft replies carefully...this may morph to a poll.
We almost never have polls in Hardware World.

[Gripper]

Thats very stylish,turn it into a frosty machine

[Santa]

arent they made of titanium?
you could redesign it into ipod cases, credit card cases, knives, bullet proof vest etc etc and make profit...

[clocker]

arent they made of titanium?
you could redesign it into ...
Erm, no.
I believe they are aluminum.

Let's try for some ideas that don't begin with scrapping the case out for it's sheetmetal.

[Darth Sushi]

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=916517
http://www.speakeasy.org/~gbeier/worst.casemod.ever/

[clocker]

Thanks for the links (and the fish)...seen 'em both.

I know exactly how to convert it to a PC.
The question is, "What else might it be good for?"

[S!X]

Can I have it?

[clocker]

Can I have it?
That will make a suitable poll option.

No.

[zapjb]

Um, just curious clocker how did you acquire just the case?

[GepperRankins]

maybe he got drunk and bought a G5, then gutted it when he realised the giblets were useless.


does clocker work in a PC shop, maybe he got given a broken one and because apple aftersales are apparently shite and apparently it's impossible to get hardware, so it was useless to the original owner :unsure:


out of interest zap. have you ever needed that backup?

[clocker]

Um, just curious clocker how did you acquire just the case?
From the OC forum Classifieds.
This is apparently a new-in-box case purchased as a replacement in an insurance claim.I have no idea why it is now for sale (and never ask, anyway), but the low price ($115 including shipping) and weirdness factor made it irresistable.

I really don't know what I'll do with it, Sprocket Stacker is coming along nicely and the Mac case would have difficulty swallowing all of the parts anyway.

From the viewpoint of pure industrial design the G5 is almost iconic now.
Certainly the Lian-li V-series cases were heavily influenced by it (round edges/corners and extensive meshwork) and I've seen several cheap cases that have "handles" obviously copied from the Mac.
If it becomes a PC I will prolly just put in a barebones 939 rig i and give it to my mother...she's due for a new PC and would love the G5 styling.

But I'm open to suggestions.


does clocker work in a PC shop, maybe he got given a broken one and because apple aftersales are apparently shite and apparently it's impossible to get hardware, so it was useless to the original owner
I do work in a PC shop, but we don't deal with Macs.
I have dismantled a few Apples (nothing as new as the G5 model though) that came in for recycling and have been impressed by the clever packaging/assembly stratagies, but never considered owning one.
I get phone calls daily about repair/parts for Macs.
I can only assume that other cities have better support options, but in Denver you're really up a creek if you need help with an Apple.
Not only are they expensive initially (this case is reputedly $300+ from Apple), but software repair/advice is nonexistent (at least according to my callers).
A Mac specialist could probably do very well out here.

[lynx]

It's got 2 handles already.

Add a third at in line with the case and turn it into...















A lunch box. :)

[clocker]

Case just arrived at work.
I will get some pics when I get home tonight, but initial impressions are very positive.

Took me 5 minutes to figure out how to remove the sidepanel.
It's very clever, just pops off really, which is why it took so long to figure out.
There is no internal structure at all, everything will have to be custom mounted.
It is a beautifully built case-possibly the nicest I have ever seen in person.

This should be interesting.

My new waterblocks- a Swiftech Storm G5 and a MCW55 have also arrived.
Still waiting on another baby Raptor (yes, another one- got 4 now!) and the new radiator/shroud.
By next week all of Sprocket's new parts to transform the Stacker will be here and I can get going.

The G5 will sit on the backburner while I contemplate the best approach.

Pics later.

[accat13]

The ongoing biography of Sprocket continues. We all wait on the edge of our seats with growing anticipation for the pics and description. Like a teenage boy going for third base we become very excited. But then again Sprocket is not really a virgin, more like a very experienced senior high girl ready to teach all LOL...

[ApacNTS]

actually i've never even seen the infamous Sprocket. would like to see it tonight.

[clocker]

actually i've never even seen the infamous Sprocket. would like to see it tonight.
Various incarnations....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/clocker/gpufirst.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/clocker/TJ06.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/clocker/water.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/clocker/side3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/clocker/PSUIn.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/clocker/G6full.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/clocker/blkbezel.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/clocker/sprocketback.jpg

She was soooo cute when she was little....

[ApacNTS]

WOW! that's some hella work man, im surprised you were having heat problems with all that cooling power, including the water system. or is that a new improvement? will you try to run both your video cards now? thanks for showing me. that's pretty fucking awesome, dream of a system like that.

[clocker]

Sprocket has never had heat issues.
From her early "hovercraft" days to the later waterloop configs, she has always been coool.

I have more fun building than operating.

[ApacNTS]

oh sorry thought you said something about running 2 vid cards at once, but only ran one do to heat issues. with all those fans i can see how you'd have no prob with heat.

[clocker]

I can only mount one vid card ATM due to cooling (i.e. heatsink) shortages...I only had one waterblock and one heatsink for the cards.
The heatsink I'm using right now is too big- it won't allow the second card to fit.
Might swap the twin 6800GTs for a single 7800 GTX anyway.

Edit: Pics, as promised...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/clocker/sidebyside.jpg
Here is the G5 sitting next to Sprocket in her Stacker. The size difference is obvious.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/clocker/highlow1.jpg
Laurel and Hardy.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/clocker/blocks2.jpg
The waterblocks.

As usual, my photography skills suck...too bad, this stuff looks great in person.

[ApacNTS]

doubt its your skills, mostly the camera im sure. looks great tho. sprocket sure is well equipped. i see what your saying about the hs(watersink). if you get the 7800 i dont think you'll need much for awhile. but then again, you'll probably need 2 just for comparison of what you can do and what it will do :) *dreams*

[clocker]

doubt its your skills, mostly the camera im sure.
Thank you but no, it's me.
Too old, too shakey.

[j2k4]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/clocker/gpufirst.jpg

Maybe you should finally get that urine sample (on the left) analyzed and see why you're so shaky.

[Samurai]

Are those CD's on the front of sprocket? Whatever it is they look nice when the light hits them :)

[clocker]

Those are 120mm fans.

These guys (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.asp?image=35-129-242-01.jpg,35-129-242-02.jpg,35-129-242-03.jpg,35-129-242-04.jpg&CurImage=35-129-242-01.jpg&Description=AeroCool%20TURBINE%202000%20120mm%20Sleeve%20%20Case%20Cooling%20Fan%20-%20Retail) , specifically...

[Duffman]

woo fancy.

[Virtualbody1234]

Those are 120mm fans.

These guys (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.asp?image=35-129-242-01.jpg,35-129-242-02.jpg,35-129-242-03.jpg,35-129-242-04.jpg&CurImage=35-129-242-01.jpg&Description=AeroCool%20TURBINE%202000%20120mm%20Sleeve%20%20Case%20Cooling%20Fan%20-%20Retail) , specifically...
I think Samurai was referring to the spindle:

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/200/gpufirstspindle4yu.gif

[Samurai]

oh no they're definately disks lol :lol:

it was the fans :) looks good when they're on

[clocker]

More goodies arrived yesterday.
A new Weapon rad/shroud assy. and a Silverprop Fusion HL GPU block.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/clocker/2rad.jpg
This heatercore is based on the Fedco 342 singlepass design so there is less restriction through the rad and the barb arrangement might make the tubing run simpler.
The Silverprop I got just cause the price was good and it's all brass/copper unlike the Swiftech block which is anodized aluminum/copper.

My vacation begins on Saturday and I'm off galavanting across the country for nine days (actually gonna drop in on j2 again), so it will be a while before all this new stuff gets mounted. Still waiting on the last Raptor to arrive (from Canada no less!), but it should be here by the time I return.

The timing actually works quite well as I am definitely going to upgrade to the DFI LP Expert motherboard ( supposedly available in the next few weeks) and probably a 4000+ San Diego, so I can install everything at once.
Still trying to decide on the vid cards...one 7800GTX or two 6800GTs in SLI- decisions, decisions, decisions.

Of course, all of this is going into the Stacker...still haven't found a use for the G5 case....

Edit:
Here are my current temps so we have a baseline to compare to...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/clocker/currenttemp1.jpg
This is on air (TT Big Typhoon and Aerocool DP 102)...note that the northbridge and vid card are the two hottest components.
The new motherboard should allow for much better northbridge cooling and we'll see about the video-that's what I'd really like to lower.

[ApacNTS]

wow that's really nice, i'd probably go for the 7800. but you said youd like to tinker with the dual sli, so 2 6800's is probably your view on things. i envy either way, when are you gonna take some pics of your gaming action?

[clocker]

wow that's really nice, i'd probably go for the 7800. but you said youd like to tinker with the dual sli, so 2 6800's is probably your view on things. i envy either way, when are you gonna take some pics of your gaming action?
Gaming action?
Moi?

Non, non.

I want the card so I can maximize my forum viewing response time.
I'm tired of Lynx's posts being all blurry...he must type very quickly.

[ApacNTS]

well then go for the 7800. god forbid one of your 6800's doesnt render or worse, completly artifact over one of said post. :D

[j2k4]

And stash that pipe!

The law could be viewing this thread! :D

[Smith]

Clocker, that "Sprocket" computer you have is hawt...Especially those fans on the front of it..

[clocker]

Clocker, that "Sprocket" computer you have is hawt...Especially those fans on the front of it..
Sprocket is blushing.

Wait till you see what is going to happen to that case.....


@j2:
I have no idea what you are talking about...

[j2k4]

@j2:
I have no idea what you are talking about...

...and neither do I. :naughty:

[lynx]

I'm tired of Lynx's posts being all blurry...he must type very quickly.I think it's probably my glasses, I keep meaning to get some new ones. :P

[clocker]

I'm tired of Lynx's posts being all blurry...he must type very quickly.I think it's probably my glasses, I keep meaning to get some new ones. :P
Try nVidia lenses...very good AA, high framerates and their driver support is excellent.
If you go SLI both your eyes will work!

[silent h3ro]

Why do u need a 7800 if u don't game? I don't understand. :blink:

[GepperRankins]

Why do u need a 7800 if u don't game? I don't understand. :blink:
to know that he can, better than any of us

[clocker]

Why do u need a 7800 if u don't game? I don't understand. :blink:
I don't need a computer at all, much less a nice video card.

At heart I am just a hardware junkie.
At various times this has been indulged with guitars, motorcycles and cars.
Now that I am old and decrepit my focus has centered on PCs.

I might take up PONG soon anyway and want to be prepared.
http://www.sirgalahad.org/paul/sw/winlock/img/pong.png

[silent h3ro]

Oh really? I heard Pong requires at least 128mb of video ram. :P

[clocker]

That's why I have 256.

Gotta have some headroom or the framerates go to hell.