D's G5 Mod

[Detale]

OK so I'm barely finished with my other water cooled project and I am going to dive right in to modifying an Apple powermac G5 case to fit my PC parts. I know this has been done may times before but I am going to try and add a few new twists to it.

I got the G5 computer from a guy on craigslist who was selling it as the Mobo was dead. I got it for a measly $40. Score!

I want to water cool maybe just the CPU but who knows what I'll wind up doing once i get that far. For now I had to remove all the Garbage(by garbage I mean all the apple parts)Here are some pics on how that went.


Here we are with the cover open and DVD drive and HDD removed.
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/3214/dsc038198802838.jpg (http://img42.imageshack.us/i/dsc038198802838.jpg/)

I cannot say enough what a PITA it is removing the motherboard from the case.I had to remove what I believe are the CPU heatsinks using a T8 torx screwdriver. Some of which were nearly impossible to reach
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/4830/dsc038228830258.jpg

And there were 2 of them inside here
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/391/dsc038238842117.jpg
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/7149/dsc038248851783.jpg

Again what a PAIN!!

Here I compare Intel and Apple CPU's, small difference eh

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/1985/dsc038268870811.jpg

No really look at these monsters
http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/1066/dsc038258861055.jpg

Finally i get them both off and now the giant ass motherboard
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/3/dsc038278879639.jpg

Next to remove the Power supply and it's innards
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/5112/dsc038338940460.jpg

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/5817/dsc038308907971.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/6679/dsc038298897751.jpg

I am thinking about using the PSU "container as a home for a new PSU. I have seen this done successfully before and it looked good. Prelim measurements tell me I may be able just to mount a regular PSU in there as well so I'm not sure yet.

So here she is Naked

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/8359/dsc038328929823.jpg


Believe it or not this took me about 2 hours to do. With all the damn screws they put in there. Also I'm a bit out of my element as I don't usually do any Mac repairs so i haven't ever even opened a G5 case before this one.

I'm working on some diagrams on some ideas to present to you guys but please any suggestions or ideas do not hesitate. I feel like I'm going to have LOAD of fun with this one :)


So on to my first question about the PSU. Do you guys think I should remove the insides of a new PSU and fit them inside the G5 PSU container or simply install an ATX psu in there. Honestly the more I think about it I think it will save me room and look better if I install a new PSU on the bottom.

Here is a VERY early idea on part placement.
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/4391/layout1yj.jpg

[Cabalo]

Nice deal!
Could you post a pic of the case front panel ?

[Detale]

Sure bud

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1328/dsc038218820828.jpg


Also I am thinking of maybe using the corsair H50 it could save me alot of headache/fun. Hmmmm
http://www.legitreviews.com/images/reviews/1025/corsair_h50_system.jpg

the only bad thing Ive read is that the tubes can sometimes crack. That would be baad.


or something like this

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/3992/dc150res017998213.jpg (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=59_367&products_id=26242)


Damn thi is alot to think about. I have a headache and im going to bed.

[Snee]

Are these the same parts that just went into the 800D you're talking about moving to the G5-case? :eyebrows:

And people say there's something wrong with me for switching cases after five months :no:

I've heard good things about the h50, btw. I guess there's too little water in it or something, so it's not supposed to do much for your idle temps compared to air cooling it with a good cooler, but it's meant to do well under load.

I'd get one if I weren't so happy with what I have.

[clocker]

Ah yes, welcome to my world.

I would deal with the components you need before trying to fit the ones you want.
In other words, get the mobo and optical in place (since their positions are relatively fixed), then see what space is left.

Given the heavily perforated nature of the case, air cooling would seem to be a viable option.

How you integrate the backplane will be the "make/break" step of this project, IMO.

Good luck.

[Detale]

@Snee. No I plan on leaving the 800D alone. I happen to have 2 other rad's a 120.3 and a 120.2. I will buy a new pump res (or fix my faulty XSPC res if I can get it to fit) Honestly I never thought about air cooling it. I think I just like water cooling too much ATM. You got me hooked Clocker ;) I don't think I will buy a new Mobo or CPU either I have a second Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R in my HTPC or if I am even lazier I have a GIGABYTE GA-X38-DQ6 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128066) I could use both are standard ATX boards and I still have a Q6600 laying around I could use. Memory I'll borrow from the HTPC no problem.

Once I get the Mobo tray I honestly think this will be nearly a piece of cake (famous last words) The dvd drive I have an idea of keeping half of that shelf that was there.

Here is the tray I'm looking at now Lian Li Replacement Removable Motherboard Tray - PC-6X (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=3387:6590cf4083fae59506e04668e4b26c9d) It's 13" tall which is the max i can use if i am to install an ATX PSU and have 1/4" space in between.

My current concen is the PSU. I am going to get a new one. Nothing too expensive (about$60) and either I will transplant the workings into the Mac PSU case (which will also be cut in half) or install the new PSU all together. Looking at this one now
OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022) it's modular and has decent ratings. Do you guys think I should transplant or leave well enough alone??

[clocker]

Probably depend on what the case looks like with the board in place.

[Detale]

Yeah I'm going to order it this week sometime. It's a bit hectic here with X-mas and the kids and now the foot of snow we just got :)

Oh crap. I just thought of something. I need a video card, well either that or a board with on-board graphics. What do you guys think I should do? New board or new card?

EDIT: Just realized i could cop the Radeon HD 4850 I have in the HTPC. Not my favorite card but it will do for now. Uncharacteristically I am trying to spend little or no money on this build. I will have to spend money on the Mobo tray and PSU but I want to try and save money so I can get the thing powder coated. Anyone know how pricey that is?

[clocker]

Powdercoating prices seem to vary widely and I think it depends mostly on the what the company is set up to do.
Most of my dealings have been with automotive people and they have large ovens and heavy duty blast areas to accommodate the big parts they coat.
A place that normally dealt with smaller parts might have less overhead and thus, lower prices.

There's also the question of "why" the part is being coated.
A more industrial focused company will not be as picky about the aesthetics as one that caters to customizers like yourself.
Find yourself a car shop that focuses on ricer customization and see who they use.
At least, that's a start.

[Detale]

I sent a few e-mails out today for some price quotes. Not many places in Brooklyn do powder coating, I was surprised.

[clocker]

What parts of the case do you want to coat?

[Detale]

What parts DON'T I want to coat:naughty:. I want to do the inside cherry red and the outside piano black. Gonna name it the Devil's Apple or something cool like that.
*D feels Clockers blood pressure rise from 1631 miles away.

[clocker]

Oh, pshaw.

I assumed you were just being ironically hipsterish, subtly mocking the kind of person who would consider really doing it and simultaneously wishing you were that person.
I think I saw something like that on Dr. Phil.

I assure you, my heart rate was no more erratic than normal.
If anything, maybe even more stable than usual...but, I've been having battery issues, so it's hard to say.

[Detale]

I just know you hate too much bling on a PC. Also I'm going to cut a window in it. I got a water jet guy priced at about $60 already. Do you know if It should be cut first or painted?

[clocker]

Seems logical to cut first, then paint.

[Detale]

Yeah I realized that right after I posted but was outside. I'm over thinking again.

Honestly I may even air cool this thing as you suggested. I could save a few bucks as I think I want to save up and get one of those i7 systems soon.

[clocker]

I really think air should remain on the table at least until you get the main components in place.
What initially looks like a relatively spacious case gets crowded quickly due to the weird placement of the PSU and drives.

My inside sources (OK, my pal who works in a computer store) tell me that i7 doesn't provide much-if any- performance jump from a higher end 775 platform.
He recommends waiting till something more compelling comes out.

[Detale]

O'rly. You know I figured as much. Like I said according to sisoft sandra I'm still in the 70-something percent of computers so I have no complaints at all. think ill save the dough for now

[TrollinThunder]

This is an amazing project. I look forward to seeing the final result.

[7th]

This is an amazing project. I look forward to seeing the final result.

me too... I love case modding and messing with an apple case must be cool :lol:

but... do you really need to cut a window on it? :unsure:

[Detale]

Yeah I'm a bit of a whore that way. I'm actually meeting with the water jet guy today to get a price ;)

[clocker]

Yeah I'm a bit of a whore moron that way. I'm actually meeting with the water jet guy today to get a price ;)
Fixed.

[Detale]

LOL, you know me well my man ;)

[clocker]

And vice-versa.

The earliest G5 mods really concentrated on keeping the case exterior as stock looking as possible. The idea being to create a sleeper style conversion that didn't scream "PC Inside!".
One guy was even attempting to unsolder the motherboard I/O ports and extending them so they'd interface properly with the case backplane layout.
Can't remember how that turned out...I suspect badly.

Those were the olden days though, you kids have no respect and feel OK hacking away on the G5 as though it were some garden variety Thermaltake case.

Speaking of Thermaltake...I was stunned to see that Microcenter actually stocks the Thermaltake Level10 case...I got to see it in person.
Not bad really, but I was afraid to check the price- I'm guessing north of $900.

Anyway, given the plethora of nice cases available today, I'm not sure I'd mod the G5 beyond whatever it took to get PC components into it...meaning, NO FUCKING WINDOWS!

[Detale]

Yeah but this will be a special window. you may even like it, well prob not. You know how I am man. I got a price on the cut BTW about $60 not bad at all. i though it would cost much much more.

[clocker]

Oh, a "special" window...well, OK then.
Bring it on.

Now I'm starting to eye my G5.
Damn.

[Detale]

C'mon old man, show me what the G5 mod is supposed to look like. I double dog dare you :P

[clocker]

Is that a gauntlet I see being thrown down?

Hmm.
I may just take you up on that...dueling G5 mods.

Gonna have to wait a bit though...I just bought some leather seats for my car and need to get the Corbeau's out so I can sell 'em.
Which means I have to install these and naturally, it's cold as hell and snowing...my favorite weather to spend some real quality garage time in.
What I won't do for a few bucks...

[Detale]

LOL, I'm the same way man. My real build isn't going to start until next week any way. I still haven't ordered any parts yet. I wanted to wait until after Xmas to order, then I have to wait for the stuff to get here.

You gonna pick up that glove or what?

[clocker]

We'll see.

At any rate, I can tell you're not up on your challenge etiquette...
T'would be unseemly for me to touch the thrown gauntlet, it's properly dealt with by my second.
Since my second is also my butler and he's more than occupied preparing the Christmas repast, it'll just have to wait till he's discharged his domestic duties.

Sheesh...noobs.

[Detale]

Fair enough, I didn't know you had it like that.

[clocker]

Indeed.
Have your people get in touch with my people.

[Detale]

We'll do lunch

[clocker]

I'm booked through March.

[Detale]

I'll be here, punk

[clocker]

Make a reservation someplace good...preferably Italian.
My posse loves 'em some lasagne.

[Detale]

I married a nice Italian Brooklyn girl we don't eat Italian out EVER. So I'll have her cook something up nice.

[clocker]

*drool*



*/drool*

[Detale]

next time she makes stuffed shells I'll freeze some and mail it to you. ;)

[clocker]

I assume the G5 case is now in tatters (but has a very cool window) and the homemade stuffed shells have been replaced with Chef Boyardee.

Lack of updates allows for thinking the worst...

[Detale]

LOL, Na It's just been sitting there. I had to clean out my work room. I had to throw away 15 computers (Non working saved for parts) and 4 lawn and leaf bags full of crap. This week i will bring it to be cut. And My mobo arrives Monday so there will be updates then :)

[Detale]

Checked out the Mobo tray and did a rough cut on the back. I decided to use an ATX PSU as trying to fit it in to the stock Mac PSU case was proving more trouble than it was worth. Not to mention taking up too much prime real estate . No pics today I'll take some tomorrow.

[clocker]

Hee, hee, hee.

Not as simple as it first appears, is it, whippersnapper?

[Detale]

well, it' easy to just slap in in there with some wires hanging out sure, but it would look like shit that way so....

[Detale]

Just picked this up from newegg for $50 ;)

ETASIS ET750 True 750W, Max 850W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817608006)

Apparently it's the same insides as the Silverstone Zeus series. for $50 fuck it. The G5 has a new PSU.

[clocker]

Good find.
Now you just have to figure out how to hide the 80' of extra cabling.

[Detale]

For $50 I'll cut off what I don't need! I'm stoopid like that!

[Snee]

Maybe you could still put it inside the mac psu's shell, and bundle up the cables you don't need in the extra space inside of that?

[Detale]

I tried that with the PSU I had and it was no shit 3/16 too tall, maybe the innards of this one will be shorter and fit. I didn't like the way it looks, I would need to fix up and shorten the stock PSU case a bit. Besides I have a cool idea for the ATX PSU now ;)

[clocker]

Oh oh.

Tell me a Tesla coil is involved...

[Detale]

It is now!:w00t:

Na No biggie I am just going to make a cut in the bottom of the case and bend it straight so the PSU can fit tight to the back of the case so I can cut the proper hole for the PSU plug. I will do it in a way that you can't see its bent from either the inside or the back of the case.

[clocker]

OK, pictures required.

[Detale]

I know I know sorry. I've been working again so I'm too tired to go down there. I will make it a point to go down tomorrow and get some pics.

[clocker]

Jeez, you make it sound like Journey To the Center Of the Earth.

Beware dragons, traveler.

[Detale]

It honestly does feel like that sometimes.

[7th]

I'm here to say that I miss the pictures too =/

[Detale]

OK so finally I made some time and did some work on it. Damn feels like ages since I went down there.

OK so I cut the back for the Motherboard tray and the PSU. After getting the new PSU though I noticed it was slightly wider than the old one I was going to use. So I had to re-cut it.
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/6397/dsc039968660001.jpg
http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/4247/dsc039978672976.jpg
I had to make it square as the G5 has no corners on the top or bottom.
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/7533/dsc039988684129.jpg
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/8881/dsc039808481440.jpg
I do plan on cleaning up the edges a bit maybe using some "rubber edging"
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/2940/dsc039818502389.jpg
Now I moved on to the DVD drive mounting. For those who don't know there is a fixtue on the G5 that slides the bezel down as the tray opens.
http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/1232/dsc039848534212.jpg

I opened up this mechanism and removed the metal packplate from it.

I used 1/16" X 1/4" aluminum and bent a "90" on it like so
http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/1983/dsc039878568083.jpg

After I measured where the drive should sit and penciled some lines in. I drilled some 1/8" holes and used thumbscrews so I could adjust if I had to. screwed it to the metal cover of the DVD bezel assembly like this
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4584/dsc039888576377.jpg

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/3633/dsc039858543465.jpg

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4567/dsc039938630333.jpg

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/9269/dsc039908598326.jpg

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/7561/dsc039958651019.jpg
Be carefull where the screws will end up as it is pretty close to the workings of the sliding door. I had to use the dremmel to cut off the back of the screws so they wouldn't interfere.

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/785/dsc039898588406.jpg

Now this "assembly" pretty much snaps in to the front of the case. Initially I was going to use the existing standoffs and make another "90" out if 1/8" aluminum to support the weight but as it turns out it doesn't really need it. That thing snaps in there tight.
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/3779/dsc039948639042.jpg

It's so tight that in fact I had to use a long piece of the 1/16" to release the spring pins that hold it in place. I may add some "just in case" support under the DVD drive.

Back to the back ;)

I was planning on drilling some holes on the bottom of the Mobo Tray to screw thw PSU on but as fate would have it the holes are slightly below the bottom of the tray so I can easily pinch the PSU in place and it holds just great!
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/2232/dsc039998697289.jpg

The theme of this build will eventually be red/black and so I thought I'd lock myself into these colors by getting a snappy red Enermax fan for the Mobo tray replacing the stock one

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/2113/dsc040008706734.jpg

Now lets have a look at that DVD drive in action shall we ;)
[youtube]vTnSmh-SZdo[\youtube]

*EDIT couldn't get the Youtube tag to work so here is the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTnSmh-SZdo


Also as point of fact I would recommend to anyone doing a G5 mod DO NOT BREAK THE STOCK STANDOFFS OFF! wait until you decide what to do. I see a decent way to mount most anything using them. If you use the aluminum strips like I am you can drill holes in them and screw right to the standoffs. creating a solid mounting structure. Everywhere I have read recommend snapping them off pretty early I would say wait until you are done to remove them. I started to take mine off when I first got the case and then stopped realizing what I was doing. I hope you guys like it so far as I am very pleased with the initial results. Hopefully it wont be so long until I get more work done on it.

[Snee]

[youtube]vTnSmh-SZdo[\youtube]

*EDIT couldn't get the Youtube tag to work so here is the link
vTnSmh-SZdo

[clocker]

Also as point of fact I would recommend to anyone doing a G5 mod DO NOT BREAK THE STOCK STANDOFFS OFF! ...
Are you- or would you if you could- mounting the motherboard tray to the original standoffs?
Doesn't that eat up a lot of room?

[Detale]

No I'm not mounting the Mobo Tray to anything inside the case as of now. It is only held in place by the screws in the back ATM. As it turns out, between the backside of the mobo tray and the standoffs I am left with about 1/8" for a total space of about 3/8" from the case side and the underside of the mobo tray. It's not like I nudged the Mobo tray over either, it just ended up that way. Look at the spacing on the back- Ummm I just realized I didn't take a pic of the tray installed, I will in bit. I will say the tray is pretty much as tight as it can be to the side. There is a slight "lip" on the back of the case I am tight up against. You can kind of see it in this pic
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/9894/dsc039828512601.jpg

If one wanted to they surely could mount right to the standoffs but it IMHO would be waay more work than is required. Screwing the tray onto the back stiffens it up big time. I plan on using a spacer in between the tray and case in case of vibration but I dont think it needs it one bit.

[Detale]

How did you get the youtube tag to work snee??

[Detale]

Well I have made a tiny bit of progress on her and brought the side panel to be cut. About a week or so they said so I will have pics then. I'm also undecided whether to go air or H2o on it. What do you guys think?

[clocker]

What hardware?
Is heat going to be a big issue?

[Detale]

Honestly I don't know if i'm going to use my q9550 with my gigabyte mobo or get a new i3( they're dirt cheap as of now ($89 in Microcenter) setup. I don't think heat will exactly be the issue I just enjoy doing the WC thing so much I get sad when a project ends. I haven't even started up the last 800D with my ssd's yet as I haven't had time to set it up properly.

[Snee]

How did you get the youtube tag to work snee??
Missed you asked that.

Far as I can remember you'd flipped a slash in the closing tag.

That's what it looks like in the post as well.

[Detale]

Thanks Snee ;)

OK so I am starting to plan this thing out a bit more. I think I am going to air cool this one. I am going to get an i3 system in her to save a few bucks. Also I don't have to get a video card because I'm going to get an H55 Mobo here is what i have in mind as of now.

Intel Corporation Core i3 530 (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0325943)

Biostar TH55B HD (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0328118)

Corsair XMS3 (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0318703)

For the CPU cooler I want to go with the Cooler Master V8 (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0299478) mostly because I think it will look good with the red black theme I have planned;)

What do you guys think??

[clocker]

We now buy cooling stuff based on themes?

[Detale]

Well, some of us do when it's not that important. The way I look at it most of the air coolers are about the same give or take a few degrees so with that standard it comes to aesthetics no? Do you have a better suggestion bud?

[j2k4]

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/1232/dsc039848534212.jpg


You used to have a bigger thumb - WTF?

[Detale]

That's my stunt thumb, he's on vacation till Tue.

[Snee]

We now buy cooling stuff based on themes?

I did. Everything noctua for the fancy propellers and earthy colours*.

Then I had an enthusiasm strike and I swapped them out for scythes.

*And the owl-logo, forgot about that. Couldn't use the fancy badge that came with the cpu-cooler if all the fans weren't noctua, I thought.

EDit: And detale, dunno about the V8, mang. I'd rather go with a black true or a megahalems if I were building something now. But then again, maybe it doesn't matter with an i3.

[Detale]

Oh I love the megahalems but I think it's too bif for the apple case, not to mention it's prob heavy as fcuk.

Aw crap! I just read the v8 isn't 1156 compatible damnit! Well looks like back to return at MC and order a megashadow (yes because it's black ;) )

EDIT: I have to check my box some do come with the mounting brackets.

EDIT 2: OK well Mine comes with the correct brackets-panic averted :)

[Snee]

If it's purely for looks, I like the true black better than a megashadow, though.

It's sleeker, like. See? (http://www.crazypc.com/products/true-black-50984.html)

[clocker]

Where's this trick sidepanel we've heard so much about?

[Detale]

Great timing. I just sent him an Email asking the same exact thing. He said about 2 weeks and its 2 weeks on Thursday so soon I imagine. I did just order a mobo and will be taking a trip back to microcenter to get one of their i3 cpu's for $99 tomorrow :)

I decided on the EVGA 111-CD-E630-TR (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188063)
with some Gksill ripjaw (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277) ram.

I am going to air cool this one but I had to get some PrimoFlex 3/4" Tubing because they have it on clearance for .36 a foot!! so I'm taking all 17' of it.

[clocker]

I had to get some PrimoFlex 3/4" Tubing because they have it on clearance for .36 a foot!! so I'm taking all 17' of it.
That's great.
You'll have enough tubing to watercool your power button.

[Detale]

Damn you! I never thought of that! I figure it doesn't go bad at all so...

[clocker]

You'll have enough tubing to watercool your power button.


Damn you! I never thought of that! I figure it doesn't go bad at all so...
Says the man who watercooled his RAM...

[Detale]

Oh you know it looks cool as hell. I have it up to 2000 ya know ;)

[darlington87]

WOW nice,good work.

[Detale]

They finally contacted me yesterday. Seems they haven't even cut it yet :( He is going to do it by Wed or so he says. 3 weeks now and they said it would take 2 at the most. They better knock off some cash to compensate like :eyebrows:

[Detale]

Wow I know this is taking a while but my latest obstacle is I can't find my camera (Damn Kids) so I decided to take a few snaps with my phone.

This is the cut out window with no plexi in it yet ;)

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/8556/mailgooglecom7124016713.jpg

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/3479/mailgooglecom7104480711.jpg

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/7931/mailgooglecom7076567709.jpg


As far as I know no one has done this before so I hope you guys like the idea :)

[Detale]

OK so I need advice again guys. Should I watercool this baby or add a Fermi card? I can't afford both so which is the better idea??

[Detale]

Think I'm just going to do a cheapo water cooled loop here. Also i'm ordering MDPC sleeving tomorrow ;)

Looking at these parts for now

OCZ Hydro Pulse Water Pump 800 (http://www.frozencpu.com/products/9480/ex-pmp-83/OCZ_Hydro_Pulse_Water_Pump_800_-_800_Lhr.html?id=nKvoBNNJ&mv_pc=373) $40!!!

Danger Den MPC (http://www.frozencpu.com/products/9688/ex-blc-643/Danger_Den_MPC-CPU_Liquid_Cooling_Block_-_Socket_LGA_1156_i3_i5_i7.html?id=nKvoBNNJ&mv_pc=372)

[clocker]

Could we get a closeup of a cut edge?
Like to see the surface finish.

And...a Fermi card?
WTF dat?

[Detale]

Sure I found the camera so more pics later. Fermi is the new 400 series Nvidia cards, they use the "Fermi" architecture so...

uber close up, hope this is what you meant.
http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/6569/dsc046855296193.jpg (http://img691.imageshack.us/i/dsc046855296193.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[clocker]

So, whatever happened here, D.?

I've had my G5 case sitting on a shelf above the bed for the last few years.
Last night, for no apparent reason, the sidepanel fell off and brained me as I slept.

I'm thinking this is an omen (because completely random mechanical events inspire me towards mysticism).

If I'm to take up the gauntlet you threw down last year
Sad to note that my butler has been let go due to immigration status irregularities- seems that being declared dead in 1958 can lead to paperwork hassles. I tried to invoke "carbon offset" exemptions- the dead are notoriously "green" in that they emit no CO2- but my argument was for naught. According to our so-called "government", Bentley is better off in a slavering hoard than gainfully employed and paying taxes. And we wonder why we have a budget shortfall.
I need to know the state of the competition.

If you're still horribly embarrassed by the ultra-cool apple window, you need not mention it again, ever.

[Detale]

LOL, Honestly my finances aren't what they were when I started this project. I was unemployed for a while (Construction was hit hard this year) but as I mentioned I am back to work now and looks like I will be for quite a while as I'm working on the United Nations building here so I'd say a month or two more of standstill until I get caught up on bills and such. Then this bitch will glow like I planned it to.

As for Bentley, sucks for him especially around Christmas.

I would be really interested in you undertaking a G5 project. You always come up with cool things I learn from.

Merry Christmas BTW, to you and yours bud.

[clocker]

Thanks, and the same to you and yours.

I've been musing about the project and can't figure out how to begin installing the Lian-li motherboard tray/backplane.
If possible, I'd like to screw it onto the stock Apple standoffs but I'd have to cut the case back just to begin and I don't want to cut too much away just in case it doesn't work out.
I've turned into a pussy, in other words.

I had the most expensive case I've owned to date (the Silverstone TJ-07) in pieces and under the knife within minutes of unboxing it, this stupid Apple case has been sitting for years now and I can't bring myself to touch it.
That's weird.

[Detale]

Weird indeed. I pondered using the stock standoffs but I couldn't figure it out, and later I didn't think it would work. That may have been to make myself feel better about giving up on it though. I think the way I did it by cutting the back and "hanging" it using screws into the remainder of the back panel.

62766

Also recently I was in a mad dash for some old school ddr ram for a friend (yes I have tons of outdated hardware in my dungeon, for just such an occasion) and I dropped the dvd drive I had working and it looks like I may have bent the front so at very least I'll try to see if it still works/repair if needed this week.

[Detale]

Hey clock you lit the fire under my ass again, Thanks. I went downstairs to see where I actually was in terms of being able to complete the project. I realized I used the PSU I had designated for this rig for my brothers machine I built last year so I need a new one. I have a gift card so I 'm going to get a new PSU just for this mod. Looking at this one here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022&Tpk=550%20Watt%20Fatal1ty) from OCZ.
62857

Fatal1ty 550w. It's modular, it has an 8 pin mobo connector and it's only $65 on the egg and in micro center.

[clocker]

I'm thinking this might be my first "modern" PC build.
No optical drive (I haven't burned a disk or even inserted a disk to read in well over a year and with Win 7's ability to load from a flash drive- sooo much faster-an optical seems as dated as the floppy).
Very limited on-board storage- my external dock is much more flexible.
Not sure about cooling, leaning towards water (mainly because I have so much equipment to use) but we'll see.

After the motherboard, the second biggest hassle seems to be the PSU...Apple's solution being predictably proprietary and useless.
I'll think about this after the motherboard is set.

I'm moving forward, albeit slowly.

[Detale]

Hey at least it's a step on the right direction. Clock you really haven't burned a disk in that long?! TBH I haven't burned a disk for myself in prob about that time but I am constantly burning stuff for others. Have you no tech-tard friends or are people in Co just all into their computers and such?

Currently I'm fucking stuck between ideas. As I mentioned I got a gift card for xmas (one of those mastercard giftcards, so it's good anywhere) Now my issues are these:

1. Do I want to watercool this rig and give it to my sister in law as a hackentosh. I have a v8 cooler brand new I can use I just need a PSU as I mentioned so the more I think about it I'm prob not gonna WC this one.

2. Upgrade my rig with a new cpu block and rad ( currently I have a swiftech rad and an apogee GTZ block) OR a new vid card like a GTX 240 or something. Honestly though my GTX 260 still runs like a champ playing everything I throw at it.

3. Upgrade my server storage. Now I have 2.64 TB ( 3-1 TB drives in raid 0) but it keeps filling up and I find myself deleting things that I'd like to save. I want to get at least 2 more 1 TB drives or maybe 2-2TB drives depends on the prices at time of purchase.

So what would you do in this situation bud?


Oh and BTW Game on old man!!!

[clocker]

Hey at least it's a step on the right direction. Clock you really haven't burned a disk in that long?! TBH I haven't burned a disk for myself in prob about that time but I am constantly burning stuff for others. Have you no tech-tard friends or are people in Co just all into their computers and such?
I rarely work on other folks PCs these days but when I have, a flash drive is all I've needed.
Tip: You can greatly reduce stress (primarily, your own) by refusing to work on machines still running XP.
They are old, have shit hardware and the owners are obviously not interested, so why should you be?


Currently I'm fucking stuck between ideas. As I mentioned I got a gift card for xmas (one of those mastercard giftcards, so it's good anywhere) Now my issues are these:

1. Do I want to watercool this rig and give it to my sister in law as a hackentosh. I have a v8 cooler brand new I can use I just need a PSU as I mentioned so the more I think about it I'm prob not gonna WC this one.

2. Upgrade my rig with a new cpu block and rad ( currently I have a swiftech rad and an apogee GTZ block) OR a new vid card like a GTX 240 or something. Honestly though my GTX 260 still runs like a champ playing everything I throw at it.

3. Upgrade my server storage. Now I have 2.64 TB ( 3-1 TB drives in raid 0) but it keeps filling up and I find myself deleting things that I'd like to save. I want to get at least 2 more 1 TB drives or maybe 2-2TB drives depends on the prices at time of purchase.

So what would you do in this situation bud?


Oh and BTW Game on old man!!!
1. I would never build a watercooled machine for someone not capable of maintaining it themselves.
It's a disaster waiting to happen.

2. What's the point of new hardware that doesn't appreciably improve your machine?
Good benchmarks are one thing, real world performance, another.

3. You run RAID 0 in a server?
More storage seems to be your best choice here...it's the one upgrade that would materially increase your enjoyment, so that's what I'd do.

The game will be "ON" when I get off my ass and apply power tools to G5.
Till then it's game "PENDING" (which really lacks the drama/impact).

[Detale]

As usual bud, you have a great point. I've been taking your sound advice for years now, since my first Water rig. Thanks, yet again man.


Tip: You can greatly reduce stress (primarily, your own) by refusing to work on machines still running XP.
They are old, have shit hardware and the owners are obviously not interested, so why should you be?
This may be the most important tip in this entire section! As I'm sure you know from this statement, it does turn out to be a huge pain when something on an outdated machine goes out and you lack the replacement parts to test things properly.

Yes I run raid 0 on my server. I know I shouldn't but there were an odd set of circumstances. Originally I had an old dell server (P4- 512mb ram) running Freenas. My transfer rates were dead slow and I had no idea why. Knowing absolutely nothing about servers I tried a raid array and it worked somewhat. Then I tried a bunch of different thing including but not limited to upgrading the entire machine to my e6600 wolfdale ( it was just sitting there collecting dust anyway) This needless to say fixed all my issues but all my movies were still on the raid 0 array and I didn't feel like losing them all so I just left it like that. Also I remember I wanted to have one location called Movies when I pointed my WDTV Live box to it instead of seeing multiple drives I only wanted 1. Now I know I can use JBOD but as I mentioned I know fuck all about servers. Artemis helped me out a great deal with Freenas.

Game Status:Pending... get off your ass man. cut that bitch up!

[clocker]

[tiny violins]



Originally I had an old dell server (P4- 512mb ram) running Freenas. My transfer rates were dead slow and I had no idea why. Knowing absolutely nothing about servers I tried a raid array and it worked somewhat. Then I tried a bunch of different thing including but not limited to upgrading the entire machine to my e6600 wolfdale ( it was just sitting there collecting dust anyway) This needless to say fixed all my issues but all my movies were still on the raid 0 array and I didn't feel like losing them all so I just left it like that. Also I remember I wanted to have one location called Movies when I pointed my WDTV Live box to it instead of seeing multiple drives I only wanted 1. Now I know I can use JBOD but as I mentioned I know fuck all about servers. Artemis helped me out a great deal with Freenas.

[/tiny violins]
Buy two 2TB drives.
Transfer movies onto the new drives, new drives installed as standalone units (i.e., not part of the array).
Break now empty array and reinstall drives as individual drives.
You now have five separate drives- @6.5 GB.

Create a folder in your OS drive (SSD?) called MOVIES (pretty fuckin clever name, eh?) and point the WDTV Live box thingie to it.
Create shortcuts to each individual video file and place them in the MOVIE folder.

I have no idea if this would work, have never done anything remotely like for myself and pretty much just made it up right this minute.
That said, I'm totally convinced it's a great idea and if you can't make it work, it's probably all your fault.

Edit:
Might be even easier to just use the Win7 Library feature.
Just include all your files in the video library and point your box creature at the library...let Windows do the manual labor.

[Detale]

Well I am going to get 3 1 TB drives later today and start the upgrade process. As for the folder shortcut thing. I don't know if it would work but I am going to try it before I upgrade. I don't think it wil work but it's worth a shot. The reason I started using a server though was to completely free up my machine when someone wanted to watch a movie. The headless system just runs, it waits for someone to access it and I can restart my rig whenever I need to without fucking anyone's movie time. So yeah it's all my fault as usual :(

[clocker]

OK, I finally got as far as doing some layout.
I'm also going to use a Lian-li tray/backplane but want to try and tie it to the stock Apple standoffs (except for the few bizarre "ball-headed" ones that will either get decapitated or snapped off).
When you cut your case back, how did you deal with the stock section where the vid card/etc. was?
I can't really see how that's put together.

Oh, BTW...one of my OCZ SSDs went belly up yesterday.
Tried new cables and even attempted to get another PC to recognize it but alas, she's dead.
Started the OCZ RMA process this morning, should be interesting to see how that goes.

Also...
I'm building two more PCs for one of my brother's companies.
Last month I built six little Shuttles with Atom CPUs for the packaging production line but these two are for the main office in California and needed to be slightly more capable.
I'm using i3-550 CPUs on Intel boards, 8GB RAM, 64GB OCZ SSDs (also have 640 GB storage drives) and Win 7 Pro 64 bit.

They've had theft problems at this office so I found two ancient beige Enlight cases- still have Windows 2000 product stickers on 'em- in hopes that the PCs will look too old to bother with.
I have been out of the game for so long now that this actually seems interesting to me.
Apparently the graphics are integrated on the chip, so no vid card needed...I hope.

[Detale]

On the g5 case. It looked to me they were tack welded on to the back so I just hacked em off. I did my cut just along side of it so I knew it would be straight. As for those ball standoffs. What the hell were they thinking other than to fuck modders?? No pics???

As for the SSD. Dude that sucks. Hopefully the RMA goes well bud.

About the i3 it does have the on board graphics but you need to use an H55 Mobo. I believe it to be that the chip has half and the mobo has the other half of the GPU. I plan on using an i3/H55 combo that's been sitting in my hallway for over a year now. I got it at micro center for $99 on sale. Now that they have the "gen 2" processors you should wait a few weeks as I believe a huge price drop is coming soon. Actually a quick look on the egg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115068) just showed me that may already have happened :O. I can't comment on the performance as I haven't used it yet but I have read it's pretty decent overall. especially if your they're not gaming at the office. Also what a brilliant idea putting the good hardware in a crappy case! Can't say that I think the old win2k sticker could be considered a theft deterrent though. Would thieves really read the sticker in consideration of stealing it. At the UN office I was working in last year they simply bolted the bottom of the case to a 1/2" steel plate about 2' square. It added about 60lbs to the weight and made it too bulky to steal without someone noticing a large steel square hanging on the bottom of it. Honestly you could do the same thing with a piece of air craft cable and a few "crosby" clips (http://hardwareaisle.thisoldhouse.com/images/2008/08/15/3465tp1l.gif) and cable it to the desk. If they want the computer they have to take the desk too. A man of your substantial engineering skills can surely come up with an easy equivalent here.

Also sorry for the typos my keyboard is sticking a bit, time for a new one I guess.

[clocker]

This is what I'm getting...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/clocker/LVS1.png

It'll be here Monday.
I prepped the Enlights...mostly just cleaned them up, although I did have to make some standoffs.
The original motherboards (already gone by the time I got the cases) only needed six standoffs and I required nine.
Naturally, they were an oddball size that I couldn't match, so I had to make six more (three per case)...somewhat of a PITA but not too bad.

If Rick (brother) wants to go to extreme lengths, he can bolt/chain the cases down but my theft prevention efforts ended with picking generic beige boxes.
I certainly wouldn't give 'em a second look.
They're the ancient design where you have to pop the front bezel off to get the sidepanels free (they slide out the front (??!!) and feature two floppy spaces.
Maybe I can dig up four floppy drives and install them as dummies...no self respecting thief would bother with a dual-floppy machine...

No word on the RMA, all I've gotten is an acknowledgement and a trouble ticket # so far.
OCZ makes me pay for shipping back to them, fortunately these are tiny and will fit in the cheap USPS Priority Mail box, so it won't be onerous.

I assume the ball headed standoffs are simply locating pins to hold the Apple motherboard (which is apparently gigantic) while you screw it down.
I might make the first cuts to the case tomorrow.
If so, pics will begin.

Edit:
D., if I do start posting pics, should I start a new thread or shall we combine both projects into this one?
Your call.

[Detale]

Looks good man. Out of curiosity though why are you putting ssd's in a work computer? Where are you ordering from that's a DAMN good deal on the ssd's $120 for 2?? Also the price on 8GB ram is coming down to almost the same as 4 gigs so be on the lookout. When I removed my motherboard the ball pins were holding it in place kind of a locking slider mechanism if I recall. I still feel they are a useless outdated design that should be axed from future products. I wish you the best of luck using the standoffs but I think you will wind up snapping those fuckers off though. Ah, a point I forgot to mention is that once you snap them off ( use a pair of lineman pliers and they come off easily enough with a slight twist/pull ) they leave a small hold, not through to the other side of the case but they do need to be filled as it leaves a small divet. I haven't done this myself but I got some Bond-o and some JB weld and figured I'd try both to see which works better.

[clocker]

No dude, all those prices are for ONE, I didn't include the extended total price.
Each machine came to about $700, including OS.

Rick checked with Dell before giving me the go-ahead but they irritated him so badly he gave up.
All their "business" machines come with Win 7 Home as standard, Pro (necessary for better networking options) is a $130 upgrade...which makes absolutely no sense at all.
Basically you pay for two OS's but only get one.

Each of my machines will have 8GB of RAM and all the parts are from Newegg.

Why do you care about the divots anyway, aren't they hidden by the new motherboard tray?
I'd be very careful using Bondo, it'd be very hard to get in there to sand everything flat.
If it was that big an issue, I'd probably make a falseplate and cover that whole side over before I tried to "fix" the flaws.
Are you still thinking of powdercoating the interior?
I'm not sure Bondo would hold up to the heat treatment.

[Detale]

Dude you're awesome. That you would think of that sets you apart from the pack. I now remember why I went with the the JB weld. It holds up to 500°. What they would use to powdercoat is about 390 for 10 min. Sure I want to paint it but it was around $300 to do so. It doesn't really fit the budget just yet, soon though. Honestly I use bondo quite often in fixing metal door frames and have become VERY good with it. Sanding isn't an issue either, I have tools for that ;). I do remember someone in another g5 project covering the whole thing and honestly it wouldn't be a bad idea and I'll look into it. I could do one of those fancy colored panels you love so much :P.

Ah I get the pricing now I saw the 2 next to the ssd and got excited. The dell win 7 pricing is absurd they sell "for builder" options on newegg that allows multi licensing but I don't know to how many machines.

They have a ripjaw series for of 8gigs for about $80 nowadays. I paid $175 for mine a year ago damnit!

I just saw your edit and by all means post here man. I would be honored shirley.

Still the ssd in a work computer is a puzzle to me.

[clocker]

Rick is a world traveler, goes to China and South America monthly, which means lots of time in a plane.
He uses his laptop as a portable media center to while away the time.
He had three Seagate laptop drives fail on him, so he invested in some Intel SSDs (three 250 GB) and loved the speed and durability.
Since then he insists on SSD for all his computers.
The six Shuttles I built all had SSDs, so do the two I'm building now.
TBH, I encouraged this as I've said for a while that they are definitely the future...I tried to get him to try the PCI board mounted drives, mainly because I wanted to see them in action but the price is still too steep (sad panda).

[Detale]

Damn good point I was just surprised that someone would go for the ssd's good for him. What are the benefits of the PCI ssd's BTW?

[tesco]

Maybe they offer SATA3 (or more) speeds for SATA2 boards?

[clocker]

Maybe they offer SATA3 (or more) speeds for SATA2 boards?
Yeah, they're getting reads and writes in the 500MB/s range.
Imagine RAIDing a pair of those.

[Detale]

DAMN! could be the next upgrade for me. Could you raid them being that they are on the PCI and not the SATA? Would the intel raid matrix recognize them or???

[clocker]

I haven't any idea.
I believe the individual "drives" are actually already RAIDed in that there are two chips per card...but again, my info is sketchy at best.
They're Intel products so I'd imagine that Intel boards will be required to fully exploit them (at least at first).
Really though, given the astounding performance of a single drive, RAID would be almost obscenely over the top.

[tesco]

I haven't any idea.
I believe the individual "drives" are actually already RAIDed in that there are two chips per card...but again, my info is sketchy at best.
They're Intel products so I'd imagine that Intel boards will be required to fully exploit them (at least at first).
Really though, given the astounding performance of a single drive, RAID would be almost obscenely over the top.
I was just looking them up, the cards are already raided in themselves... Like it's multiple drives in one.

RAID was the word used by the author, it might not necessarily be raid but some other form of paralleling the flash memory for faster read/writes.

[Detale]

I bet you could still raid it though. Damn I wish this was last year when I had money to burn :frusty:

[tesco]

I bet you could still raid it though. Damn I wish this was last year when I had money to burn :frusty:
Well you would need a RAID controller, and I'm not sure how you would get a raid controller for devices that aren't connected to the sata ports.
Unless there's such a thing as software RAID for that purpose?

[Detale]

I did mean software raid. I don't know of anything els that would be possible with the pci- e connection.

[clocker]

No progress on my case yet, it's 4° and just a trifle too nippy to be in the garage.
Yeah, I'm a pussy.

On a side note...I just got my OCZ RMA authorization.
So far the process has been very painless and OCZ has responded promptly, so I'm hopeful this will work out well.
I have the packaging from the Corsair SSDs I just used in the two builds, so I can send it back in that (they make a big deal about "proper packaging" so it doesn't get damaged in shipping, hopefully they'll see the humor in this...).

The two new PCs for my brother are done.
Parts arrived yesterday morning at ten AM and I had them both finished by 3PM.
No problems at all, although it was strange that the ethernet wouldn't work till I loaded the Intel supplied drivers.
Win 7 has had that included for every build I've done in the past but not this time.
Not a big deal really.

The integrated CPU graphics seem fine, not that I did much with them (these are office machines after all) and the board had no issues with the RAM. Other than setting the drive controller to AHCI, I didn't do anything in BIOS (which looked pretty minimal at a casual glance).
Windows scored the i3 CPU at 6.8 on the Experience Index which is lower than my Q9550 gets (7.3) but overall the machine seems quite responsive and I'm sure they'll be an improvement over what they're using now.

[Detale]

Oh man up cowboy and get out ther. I'm actuAlly working outside at the united nations building. I'm 30 floors up and there are no windows so I do get how cold it is out there, you get a pass....for now.

You didn't happen to do a pc pitstop test on an i3 system did you? I may have some free time this weekend to get mine up and running and I'm "hella" curious about chip and how it holds up.

[clocker]

You didn't happen to do a pc pitstop test on an i3 system did you? I may have some free time this weekend to get mine up and running and I'm "hella" curious about chip and how it holds up.
No, I didn't but might have time tomorrow before delivery.
Today I'm working on cars and making pizza, so time is short.

While the cold snap was here I decided to throw the G5 case on Craigslist, just to see if it had any value before I hacked it up.
Not a single response, which didn't surprise me.
I think the heyday of PC case modding is pretty much over, what with laptops outselling desktops and all.
At any rate, I can now cut away with a clear conscience.

[Detale]

You know. a week or so ago I responded to a craigslist add here. The guy had a g5 case and was asking $60 for it. I was going to get it for the hell of it but then changed my mind. He E-mailed me yesterday and said he would take $40 so I might just go for it.

[clocker]

I was asking $125, but then again, I bought mine back when G5 cases were the "hot" cases to mod.
Plus, mine is brand new, never used, still in the factory plastic wrap...so it's perfect.
(I wish it had all the hardware though...I don't even have the mechanism to hold the sidepanel in place.
The latch on the back is there but nothing on the sidepanel, don't even know what that's supposed to look like.)

Now I'm gonna hack the fuck out of it.

[Detale]

Whew, finally. better charge the camera battery bud. I think the latch uses a plastic piece that holds the sidepanel on I have to look later. I'll post some pics of the un-tampered version I had in a few min

[clocker]

While the cold snap was here I decided to throw the G5 case on Craigslist, just to see if it had any value before I hacked it up.
Not a single response, which didn't surprise me.

Yesterday during the Packers game, I finally got a response to the ad.
He finally got it together (during the Steelers game, naturally) to come over and buy the G5 case.
Only after talking my ear off about Apple and how wonderful they are...yada,yada,yada.

So, I no longer have a case to work with and you're on your own, D.

[Detale]

You bastard!! How much did you get for it?

[clocker]

$125.
It was,after all, brand new.

[Detale]

Well I was going to bitch, but a buck twenty five aint bad. Are you still going to do a new build?

[clocker]

I was never going to do "a new build", just transfer Sprocket into the G5 case.
Now I'm thinking I'll just do some minor housekeeping and carry on.

Last Tuesday I sent in my dead OCZ SSD for RMA and today was notified that it's been approved and shipped already...from Taiwan.
Scheduled delivery is this Thursday.
"Globalization" has some benefits after all.

[Detale]

Well that's arguable, but I'm glad you are getting your due and proper from OCZ. No new build?! I guess I am confused with you building the "work computers" and such

[clocker]

Guess so.
The s775/Q9550 platform is still trundling along just fine, far exceeding my pitiable requirements.
Unless compelled to do so, I see no reason to upgrade besides subsidizing Newegg.

[clocker]

My new SSD, fresh from OCZ RMA, arrived this morning.

I'm very impressed with the return policy of this company.
And the incredible shipping...it took longer for my dead drive to reach California from Colorado than the new unit to arrive from Taiwan.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/clocker/OCZ-RMA.png

Included in the packaging was a small cartoon speech bubble decal that says: "My SSD is faster than your HDD!".
I find it confusing.
First, I wasn't aware that I needed help being a dick.
Second, there's no one around to see this borderline offensive bravado, so what's the point?

[Detale]

Sure the 9550 is still a great chip, I misread and thought you were going to upgrade "just because". That is some fast shipping. I had a similar experience when my reservoir leaked. Is the decal like a case badge or what. If you have time a pic would be great.