Powermac G5 Case Mod

[mustangboast]

Hey Guys!

Been a follower of the community for sometime now and always wanted to try this mod out for myself. I recently acquired a working Powermac G5 off my local classifieds for only $60! AND I promise I will either use or give these working parts to someone else so that they can live on! BUT for now I am currently planning on moving my current "Hackintosh" Setup into its new home and wanted to take you guys on the journey with me and also help anyone else who might be planning on doing this themselves!

Here are some photos I took before the teardown today:

Such a beautiful machine for its time! It has some dings and scratches I know lol, but should still look great once I am done the build.

Still waiting on parts unfortunately, so I cannot show anymore yet, but once parts start arriving I will update here.

Current Mods/Part List:

G5 Full ATX conversion kit with integrated PSU mount Deluxe Tray (The Laser Hive) - https://www.thelaserhive.com/product/g5-atx-kit-psu-holder/
G5 ATX Adapter Cable (BlackCH mods) - http://g5atxcables.weebly.com/store/p3/G5_ATX_Adapter_Cable_.html

Plans:

So far I want to keep it fairly stock looking on the outside for this "first version" of the build. I am converting it to hold my current ATX setup, so the back will getting cut out to hold the new custom backplate from The Laser Hive. I think later down the road, if I plan on updating this rig I will then epoxy it in to make it flush, but for now I will most likely just use rivets for convenience and time.

I always love the front IO on this computer, so I ordered a custom ATX Adapter Cable from BlackCH mods to retain that "stock" look and functionality. I might swap out the USB 2.0 port for a 3.0 or higher....Let me know what you guys think!? I am up for ideas.

Once I get the ATX panel in and motherboard I am then going to use 2 AIO Water Coolers for the CPU & GPU, to try and make it silent as possible, but also the ability to do a stable overclock with my current setup. I do plan on doing a custom Water Loop later down the road, but I want to upgrade the components first, before I attempt this step!

Gonna keep the current hard drive bay holder and also possibly use the G5 CPU Covers as custom SSD covers? Still deciding on this one

I promise I will not make these posts going further too lengthy with words, but show you guys more images since we all love photos more.

I will post my current ATX Setup Specs tomorrow that will be going into the case, for you guys to reference!

Would love to hear your guys suggestions and ideas throughout the build!

 

[Phunk80]

Awesome. Another one. That´s such a beautiful case. I am curious how it turns out, just emptied my cases yesterday and ordering the BLACKCH cables.

But why using the LaserHive Conversion when you can almost leave it stock? Looking so much better. Wise-Rice did a great build.

PowerMac G5 Case Modding Project - mATX & ATX Conversion - Barebones - Mac Pro Alternative

So, I am officially crazy... I bought 26 Powermacs (G5) And I modded them ALL They are now ready for ATX and mATX Mainboards… But why 26? Did I mention I was crazy?! (And they were only sold together…) I modded G5 Cases before – They kind of became my passion. This time I wanted everything...

www.tonymacx86.com

 

[mustangboast]

Awesome. Another one. That´s such a beautiful case. I am curious how it turns out, just emptied my cases yesterday and ordering the BLACKCH cables.

But why using the LaserHive Conversion when you can almost leave it stock? Looking so much better. Wise-Rice did a great build.

PowerMac G5 Case Modding Project - mATX & ATX Conversion - Barebones - Mac Pro Alternative

So, I am officially crazy... I bought 26 Powermacs (G5) And I modded them ALL They are now ready for ATX and mATX Mainboards… But why 26? Did I mention I was crazy?! (And they were only sold together…) I modded G5 Cases before – They kind of became my passion. This time I wanted everything...

www.tonymacx86.com

Thanks so much for the reply! And Awesome! I will definitely check out your build as well!

I saw Wise-Rice build and it looks very clean! As for using the LaserHive I want to use the custom ATX Motherboard Tray with the hidden SSD Drives behind it, but still debating if I am going to use the custom back panel for this current setup or for my future setup where I am planning to build and absolute monster inside with a custom water cooling. Sort of what Linus Tech Tips is doing currently.

But really appreciate your advice! I think I am going to play around with the gear inside the case and see which setup I like the best using my current hackintosh hardware and try doing sorta the same cut in the back like Wise-Rice! Should be receiving the rest of my shipments this week and will start posting more photos of the planning.

 

[craighazan]

Hey Guys!

Been a follower of the community for sometime now and always wanted to try this mod out for myself. I recently acquired a working Powermac G5 off my local classifieds for only $60! AND I promise I will either use or give these working parts to someone else so that they can live on! BUT for now I am currently planning on moving my current "Hackintosh" Setup into its new home and wanted to take you guys on the journey with me and also help anyone else who might be planning on doing this themselves!

Here are some photos I took before the teardown today:

View attachment 436557
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View attachment 436555

Such a beautiful machine for its time! It has some dings and scratches I know lol, but should still look great once I am done the build.

Still waiting on parts unfortunately, so I cannot show anymore yet, but once parts start arriving I will update here.

Current Mods/Part List:

G5 Full ATX conversion kit with integrated PSU mount Deluxe Tray (The Laser Hive) - https://www.thelaserhive.com/product/g5-atx-kit-psu-holder/
G5 ATX Adapter Cable (BlackCH mods) - http://g5atxcables.weebly.com/store/p3/G5_ATX_Adapter_Cable_.html

Plans:

So far I want to keep it fairly stock looking on the outside for this "first version" of the build. I am converting it to hold my current ATX setup, so the back will getting cut out to hold the new custom backplate from The Laser Hive. I think later down the road, if I plan on updating this rig I will then epoxy it in to make it flush, but for now I will most likely just use rivets for convenience and time.

I always love the front IO on this computer, so I ordered a custom ATX Adapter Cable from BlackCH mods to retain that "stock" look and functionality. I might swap out the USB 2.0 port for a 3.0 or higher....Let me know what you guys think!? I am up for ideas.

Once I get the ATX panel in and motherboard I am then going to use 2 AIO Water Coolers for the CPU & GPU, to try and make it silent as possible, but also the ability to do a stable overclock with my current setup. I do plan on doing a custom Water Loop later down the road, but I want to upgrade the components first, before I attempt this step!

Gonna keep the current hard drive bay holder and also possibly use the G5 CPU Covers as custom SSD covers? Still deciding on this one

I promise I will not make these posts going further too lengthy with words, but show you guys more images since we all love photos more.

I will post my current ATX Setup Specs tomorrow that will be going into the case, for you guys to reference!

Would love to hear your guys suggestions and ideas throughout the build!

Looking forward to seeing your build!. Thanks for the links, I’ve been looking for the cable to the front io.

 

[mustangboast]

Looking forward to seeing your build!. Thanks for the links, I’ve been looking for the cable to the front io.

Thanks for the message! And no problem! I am going to try my best to link everything I use in the build going forward, this way if anyone wants to use the same parts, etc they can easily find it all in this thread.

 

[mustangboast]

Alright so most of my parts finally came in today and I made some good progress!

Here is the NEW AIO I ordered:

EVGA CLC 280mm AIO RGB LED CPU Liquid Cooler (400-HY-CL28-V1) - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01N16CAKN/?tag=tonymacx86c0c-20

This will be going near the front of the case, still figuring out how I am going to be mounting this. Will post photos during the next progress update of where exactly and how I will be doing this.

Also, the G5 Full ATX conversion kit with integrated PSU mount Deluxe Tray - From theThe Laser Hive

If anyone is debating on getting this kit, DO NOT EVEN HESITATE. David from The Laser Hive absolutely KILLED IT with this kit. From the packaging, quality and step by step instructions its hands down worth every dollar.

And for those who are wondering YES I could've made this all myself, but will my current schedule I do not have the time to do all this on my free time and I wanted the build to go as smoothly as possible!

BUT First I emptied out the case including the top and bottom tray...

Here are the parts left over that I am going to wither reuse or try and use in the build...

Also if anyone is wondering how I dissembled the original components from the case, just shoot me a DM and I can try and help you out. It is all pretty simple, but I've seen some tutorials online where people were snipping cables, which you DO NOT need to do at all with this computer! So just do your homework and take your time if attempting this yourself.

Next was to insert the new Laser Hive Tray. I love how clean the tray fits in the case...

Super easy to install and required no drilling! The standoffs were removed with some light taps of a hammer. And the best part it hides all my SSD's behind the mother board...

I am currently holding off on using the new rear panel from The Laser Hive, because I want to keep it stock as possible for now until I do my crazy Custom Water Cooled setup down the road.

RIP FIREWIRE 400/800

The dremel made quick work of that!

And with that, that is far as I will be getting today. This weekend I will be finally transferring my current motherboard and components to figure out exactly where I will be installing everything and also the PSU placement.

 

[craighazan]

Also if anyone is wondering how I dissembled the original components from the case, just shoot me a DM and I can try and help you out. It is all pretty simple, but I've seen some tutorials online where people were snipping cables, which you DO NOT need to do at all with this computer! So just do your homework and take your time if attempting this yourself.

I agree, having taken apart two of them, a dual 1.8 GHz and a dual 2GHz G5. I can attest to how easy it is to take everything out of the case.
@mustangboast, I kept the two 1.8GHz dual processor covers also, how do you plan on using them?. For my G5 build I was able to use the 2GHz processor heat shield to make it look stock. They could fit between the middle and top shelf, but I haven't figured out how to fix.
The Laser Hive ATX conversion kit looks really neat!. how does it attach to the G5 case?. I'm also interested to know how the motherboard sits on it. In the Original G5 the motherboard mounts were 15mm tall, so you have space to run cables behind and the PCI slots lined up. If you're using a conversion kit, does the motherboard still sit 15mm above the side panel?. If it doesn't sit 15mm does that mean the back has to be cut in order to fit the PCI cards?.
I also see that you removed the top shelf, how does that effect closing the side panel?. From experience the sliding lock mechanism that holds the side panel had three springs that went through the top shelf. Your liquid cooler could attach to the front dual fan mounting bracket but you would need the middle shelf to hold it in place. This has been a good thread to follow and lots of good photographs to help explain things.

 

[Phunk80]

Thanks for the links, I’ve been looking for the cable to the front io.

I just finished mine. Its pretty straight forward with all the information linked here in the forum. I only needed the Power On Switch, the Power On LED and the USB. On my z390 Designare there is no FW and I do not need the front audio.

Find the wiring here:
https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/g5-front-panel-quick-guide.77208/ and here:
https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/boomrs-twist-on-the-g5-front-panel-quick-guide.84412/

I bought this dupont set here, since I am more on the impatient side and wanted to do it myself.
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07S1SDKSC/?tag=tonymacx8603-21

 

[mustangboast]

I agree, having taken apart two of them, a dual 1.8 GHz and a dual 2GHz G5. I can attest to how easy it is to take everything out of the case.
@mustangboast, I kept the two 1.8GHz dual processor covers also, how do you plan on using them?. For my G5 build I was able to use the 2GHz processor heat shield to make it look stock. They could fit between the middle and top shelf, but I haven't figured out how to fix.
The Laser Hive ATX conversion kit looks really neat!. how does it attach to the G5 case?. I'm also interested to know how the motherboard sits on it. In the Original G5 the motherboard mounts were 15mm tall, so you have space to run cables behind and the PCI slots lined up. If you're using a conversion kit, does the motherboard still sit 15mm above the side panel?. If it doesn't sit 15mm does that mean the back has to be cut in order to fit the PCI cards?.
I also see that you removed the top shelf, how does that effect closing the side panel?. From experience the sliding lock mechanism that holds the side panel had three springs that went through the top shelf. Your liquid cooler could attach to the front dual fan mounting bracket but you would need the middle shelf to hold it in place. This has been a good thread to follow and lots of good photographs to help explain things.

Hey!

Still figuring out my case layout, since I still have a few potential parts on the way!

As for the G5 covers not too sure yet! I think they are really cool to keep inside, but with my water cooling setup I am not sure where I should put them yet. But once I have most of the main components installed I will post photos here and we can make a vote! Lol

So the ATX Conversion kit from The Laser Hive attaches with all the screws and accessories given with the kit! The only thing though if you planning on using the custom back panel then there is some cutting necessary.

For the motherboard standoffs, I am going to check the size of the ones that come with the kit and I will post a photo here for you to see the clearance.

I am planning to put the top shelf back in, I only removed it for now to make my planning/layout easier to figure out. As for the front cooler because it is a 280mm and not a 240mm I have to make a custom hanger for it, which I have an idea that I am designing sometime this week that will also hide my cables.

But thanks for the message! I will be following up with some of your questions this week with detailed photos and info!

 

[craighazan]

I just finished mine. Its pretty straight forward with all the information linked here in the forum. I only needed the Power On Switch, the Power On LED and the USB. On my z390 Designare there is no FW and I do not need the front audio.

Find the wiring here:
https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/g5-front-panel-quick-guide.77208/ and here:
https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/boomrs-twist-on-the-g5-front-panel-quick-guide.84412/

I bought this dupont set here, since I am more on the impatient side and wanted to do it myself.
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07S1SDKSC/?tag=tonymacx8603-21

Thanks for the links!, I have read through these before. It's something I definitely want to do for my G5, but I've already blown up a number of components including an RX 580, RX 560, 16 GB Gskill Ram, 4 GB Crucial ram, 256GB HPEX920 NVMe drive and a Noctua PWM 80mm case fan. So I'm wondering if I'm the best candidate for taking on this task!. I am interested in the link to provided for the toolkit, that is something I will get!.