- Joined
- Feb 11, 2018
- Messages
- 32
- Motherboard
- MSi Z270M Mortar
- CPU
- I5-7600K
- Graphics
- RX 580
- Mac
- Classic Mac
- Mobile Phone
Ever since I saw the G5 and Mac Pro tower design, I really wanted to have one. Unfortunately, A good Mac Pro is still very expensive so I decided to build my own using a PowerMac G5 case.
Parts that I plan on using:
My plan is to keep the internal layout mostly the same as the original. I also want to be able to use the plastic air cover again.
I made this layout sketch in Keynote.
Building the G5 Hackintosh:
My PowerMac G5 didn't come with a DVD/CD Drive, was missing some fans and had some weird ram installed. I wouldn't be using the fans anyways, but it would have been nice to use the original DVD/CD Drive.
Stripping the case was not easy and took several hours to do. The hardest part was to get the top shelf out. It turned out I missed a screw that held it in place. If you are going to do this yourself, be sure that all screws are loose.
While waiting for my economy to allow more parts, I talked to a friend who owns a 3D printer. I designed the plug for the power cord in Fusion 360 and sent the file to him. Some days later, I got the finished product which worked perfectly. Just tell me if you are interested in the file for this and I can send it to you.
When I got all the parts from TheLaserHive, I could finally start cutting the case. I didn't have or want to use a Dremel, so I used a jigsaw instead. I highly recommend it, it worked really well! Just be sure to use a blade that's made for metal.
As I wanted to use a front panel kit with USB-C, I had to cut the front as well. I didn't want to do this at first, but the functionality was more important to me.
Here is a pic of the special front panel with USB-C. I believe TheLaserHive might have some left if you ask. You can probably contact him easiest via email or facebook. This panel also has HDMI. I'm not sure how I will do about that since the cable behind is just a regular HDMI cable...
Installing the motherboard tray was easy, but getting it lined up correctly was a bit harder. I suggest you to leave the screws untightened, put the motherboard where it is supposed to be, and then lift it out to tighten the screws. Be sure that all expansion cards fit as expected.
I got my motherboard in place just to see how it looks from the back. I think it looks really cool! The expansion card with the red dots is the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi card without its antennas.
This is where I am right now! I will continue updating here when I get the money needed to buy the parts I want. I would love to hear your thought or questions and I will do my best to answer them all! Thanks!
Parts that I plan on using:
- PSU: Corsair SF450 450W (As it has a small form factor which might let me use it in the bottom of the case by just rising the bottom shelf a little bit)
- CPU: Intel Core i5 7600K 3.8GHz 6MB
- GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 SC Gaming
- RAM: Crucial 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 2400MHz CL16 Ballistix Sport
- Storage: Samsung 960 EVO 500GB (M.2 drive)
- Mobo: MSi Z270M Mortar (mATX board with USB-C)
- WiFi/Bluetooth: A genuine apple WiFi/Bluetooth card I found on Amazon. (For compatibility with airdrop, iMessage, Handoff and so on.
- Fans: Noctua Redux fans, most likely 2x120mm and 1x80mm
- CPU cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO (If it fits)
- TheLaserHive G5 mATX 120, Grill, and a Front Panel Conversion kit with USB-C
- Extension Cord for the power supply
- Maybe a DVD/CD Drive (My G5 didn't have one)
My plan is to keep the internal layout mostly the same as the original. I also want to be able to use the plastic air cover again.
I made this layout sketch in Keynote.
Building the G5 Hackintosh:
My PowerMac G5 didn't come with a DVD/CD Drive, was missing some fans and had some weird ram installed. I wouldn't be using the fans anyways, but it would have been nice to use the original DVD/CD Drive.
Stripping the case was not easy and took several hours to do. The hardest part was to get the top shelf out. It turned out I missed a screw that held it in place. If you are going to do this yourself, be sure that all screws are loose.
While waiting for my economy to allow more parts, I talked to a friend who owns a 3D printer. I designed the plug for the power cord in Fusion 360 and sent the file to him. Some days later, I got the finished product which worked perfectly. Just tell me if you are interested in the file for this and I can send it to you.
When I got all the parts from TheLaserHive, I could finally start cutting the case. I didn't have or want to use a Dremel, so I used a jigsaw instead. I highly recommend it, it worked really well! Just be sure to use a blade that's made for metal.
As I wanted to use a front panel kit with USB-C, I had to cut the front as well. I didn't want to do this at first, but the functionality was more important to me.
Here is a pic of the special front panel with USB-C. I believe TheLaserHive might have some left if you ask. You can probably contact him easiest via email or facebook. This panel also has HDMI. I'm not sure how I will do about that since the cable behind is just a regular HDMI cable...
Installing the motherboard tray was easy, but getting it lined up correctly was a bit harder. I suggest you to leave the screws untightened, put the motherboard where it is supposed to be, and then lift it out to tighten the screws. Be sure that all expansion cards fit as expected.
I got my motherboard in place just to see how it looks from the back. I think it looks really cool! The expansion card with the red dots is the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi card without its antennas.
This is where I am right now! I will continue updating here when I get the money needed to buy the parts I want. I would love to hear your thought or questions and I will do my best to answer them all! Thanks!
