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Minihack Mac Pro mod

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Joined
May 27, 2010
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2,364
Motherboard
Dell Optiplex 9030 All in One
CPU
i5-4690K
Graphics
HD 4600
Mac
  1. Mac mini
Classic Mac
  1. iMac
Mobile Phone
  1. iOS
This case conversion has a few different things in it.

It has a full ATX format and a full ATX power supply integrated into the backplate.

nwcq.jpg

The front IO is replaced with a new IO kit based on a Lian Li front panel kit and has USB3, eSATA, headphones and mic.

f5bl.jpg


ee81.jpg

It has an all in one cooling solution with 280mm radiator mounted behind the front mesh.

2fvo.jpg


cmv9.jpg

Concealed wiring and pipework.

fvd2.jpg

Hotswap disk stand.

5z3t.jpg

Here is a you tube link to a video of the finished case.

[video=youtube_share;gZJlKswtWw0]http://youtu.be/gZJlKswtWw0[/video]​

I'll gather up the "in progress" pictures and put up a detailed build log when I have a little time, so you can see how all the bits went together!

Hope you like the mod.
 
Your hard drive mounting is very different. Would love some more details of how this was constructed. I cannot see much holding those drive in though, any issues when moving the case around?
 
I like it. It is a bold change from the usual effort of retaining the Mac Pro drive sleds and characteristic right side facing sheet metal. I need to go take a look at my one remaining Mac Pro case and see if there is enough left to do something like this.

Good modding,
neil
 
Your hard drive mounting is very different. Would love some more details of how this was constructed. I cannot see much holding those drive in though, any issues when moving the case around?

Hi Kiwi,

The hot swap basically is a simple construction: a Lian Li 3 disk back plane, a 10mm acrylic block cut with three pockets to secure the end of the HDs and a 3mm acrylic finishing plate. It'll mount horizontally onto any surface where there is a void behind (to run the wires).

And yes, you do need to take the disks out if you transport to different locations, but it is perfectly stable for those times when you just want to spin the case around to change bits and pieces. You cannot see in these pictures, but I have also made different sized removable sections so that you can give extra support to SSDs etc when you change disk size.I.e. a full Size 3.5" HD fits the compartments naturally, but if you want to permanently use an SSD in one of the compartments you would insert an extra piece of acrylic at the same time as the SSD to keep it there in a more stable condition.

The total disks this case can take is considerably more than three. For instance the cover that I made to hide the PSU also has mounting holes in it for taking a pair of SSDs out of sight and I have a couple more HDs in the original drive sled. So the stand at the bottom is mainly for those times when you want to play with different OS upgrades etc.
 
I like it. It is a bold change from the usual effort of retaining the Mac Pro drive sleds and characteristic right side facing sheet metal. I need to go take a look at my one remaining Mac Pro case and see if there is enough left to do something like this.

Good modding,
neil

Thanks Neil,

I had sold the sleds of my case, but I did take a long hard look at the plastic wind tunnel affair that came with the case before deciding not to use it. In the end, the deciding factor for me was that I felt that retaining that piece seemed to limit the options for using the interior to the full.

Having said that I do love the mod.s where the interior keeps the stock look and I particularly like what you did on your Mac Pro mod.

This mod mainly served as a test bed for the different bits and pieces. I particularly like the little hot swapper as that is quick and relatively cheap to make compared to the rack design. It also takes up almost no room, so I think could come in handy for lots of different case mod.s. I am also very pleased with how the Lian Li front panel fits in without there being any real obvious fixation points to disturb the front of the case.

I'll do some special posts on some of these aspects.
 
I really like that front IO mod! Would it be possible to make that work on a G5 case?

Yes, available from The Laser Hive and with a Black Friday promotion….
 
Love the front I/O. Just purchased one for my case :)

Nice modding.
 
Love the front I/O. Just purchased one for my case :)

Nice modding.

Thanks Max. Hope it all works out for you and look forward to seeing a modding thread on here!
 
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