- Joined
- May 9, 2020
- Messages
- 2
- Motherboard
- I didn't read
- CPU
- the RULES
- Graphics
- so ignore me
Hi, my first post here!
So, I was inspired to do my own Mac Pro mod after seeing all the mods here, and around the interwebs. I challenged myself to make it as close to the stock case as possible. Here are the main highlights:
-USB 3.0 front panel WITHOUT cutting anything
-Re-use original fans/metal covers on the inside (dk what they're called)
-Rear panel with minimal cutting
I'll try to explain as much as possible what/how I did these in the next post!
But first, pics!
Back:
View attachment IMGP7200.jpg
View attachment IMGP7208.jpg
Cut out as little as possible with a dremel, laser cut & engraved a backplate and 3d-printed a white plastic spacer to mount it to. The idea was to put an LED strip on the other side of the spacer which would light up when you approached the Rear IO, like the 2012 Mac Pro...but I got lazy. (Maybe I'll do it in future?) The hole below that is for some custom functions I set up (an Ambilight-like dynamic backlight for my screen, and an external power button that is embedded in my table) Still haven't gotten round to making that part neater...not planning to haha
Front:
View attachment IMGP7212.jpg
View attachment IMGP7220.jpg
2x USB 3.0 Ports from Aliexpress, drilled an extra hole for a 3.5mm mic (the hole came a bit wonky, as you can see) Am planning on 3d printing a plastic insert for the audio jacks to tidy up the appearance. Audio jack detection works Firewire ports unused, not sure what to do with those.
Inside:
View attachment IMGP7193.jpg
These are the metal covers I was talking about. Managed to use almost all I made the PSU cover slide in and out to hide the PSU too. Used the 2 front and 1 bacl original fans. They're really silent but can spin up to incredible speeds if needed (I've actually never needed to hit 100%). Figured out the control with standard 3 / 4 pin headers too, I'll explain that later on (kinda forgot what I did, so I'll have to look through my (almost non-existent, unfortunately) documentation again)
I had actually started this project around mid May. It took me about a week to get the core of the PC up and running. From then, it had become my daily driver (sold my old case, so no turning back!!) But the front IO and a few things to touch up took a while because I had ordered parts from China...and procrastination too. Only got down to putting the finishing touches and taking some nice shots this week HAHA
So, I was inspired to do my own Mac Pro mod after seeing all the mods here, and around the interwebs. I challenged myself to make it as close to the stock case as possible. Here are the main highlights:
-USB 3.0 front panel WITHOUT cutting anything
-Re-use original fans/metal covers on the inside (dk what they're called)
-Rear panel with minimal cutting
I'll try to explain as much as possible what/how I did these in the next post!
But first, pics!
Back:
View attachment IMGP7200.jpg
View attachment IMGP7208.jpg
Cut out as little as possible with a dremel, laser cut & engraved a backplate and 3d-printed a white plastic spacer to mount it to. The idea was to put an LED strip on the other side of the spacer which would light up when you approached the Rear IO, like the 2012 Mac Pro...but I got lazy. (Maybe I'll do it in future?) The hole below that is for some custom functions I set up (an Ambilight-like dynamic backlight for my screen, and an external power button that is embedded in my table) Still haven't gotten round to making that part neater...not planning to haha
Front:
View attachment IMGP7212.jpg
View attachment IMGP7220.jpg
2x USB 3.0 Ports from Aliexpress, drilled an extra hole for a 3.5mm mic (the hole came a bit wonky, as you can see) Am planning on 3d printing a plastic insert for the audio jacks to tidy up the appearance. Audio jack detection works Firewire ports unused, not sure what to do with those.
Inside:
View attachment IMGP7193.jpg
These are the metal covers I was talking about. Managed to use almost all I made the PSU cover slide in and out to hide the PSU too. Used the 2 front and 1 bacl original fans. They're really silent but can spin up to incredible speeds if needed (I've actually never needed to hit 100%). Figured out the control with standard 3 / 4 pin headers too, I'll explain that later on (kinda forgot what I did, so I'll have to look through my (almost non-existent, unfortunately) documentation again)
I had actually started this project around mid May. It took me about a week to get the core of the PC up and running. From then, it had become my daily driver (sold my old case, so no turning back!!) But the front IO and a few things to touch up took a while because I had ordered parts from China...and procrastination too. Only got down to putting the finishing touches and taking some nice shots this week HAHA