Hack Pro build using a new Mac Pro case

[ptmays]

So this will be the start of a new project for me, this will be my second case mod project and third Hackintosh build. A little back ground, my first build was getting SL running on a Lenovo S10 netbook, it was very low cost and works very well. My second build was using parts from a computer inherited from my fiance's late great uncle. RIP Uncle Jimmy

The system had a Asus P5B-Deluxe with a 2.13 C2D, and a GeForce 9600GT the thing also hackintoshes very well. I later moved that build in to a PowerMac G5 case and I have taken to calling that project the PowerHack G6. And at this point we get to the point of this thread, I regret not documenting that project, so for my new project which I am calling my Hack Pro (yeah real original I know) I wish to document my build here and get everyones input and suggestions when I hit walls on the design.

So on to stage one, getting the case ready (thats Simka my helper in the picture)

I will be using an old Dell Vostro 200 matx motherboard with a C2D chip for mack up, no since in risking a brand new board for this part, I am not sure if this board is working we took the system out of service because it was getting a little flakey.

After the case is ready then I will dig back in to my wallet and start with parts

My list as of right now is:
GIGABYTE GA-H55M-USB3 I am open to suggestions I need it to be matx and I would like usb3
SIIG 3 Ports FireWire 800 PCIe Card, I use a Drobo so FW800 is a must
Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz, I may reevaluate this after the first of the year when the new chips come out
EVGA 512-P3-1240-LR GeForce GT 240, I already have this part in my PowerHack G6 and will be moving it to the new system and putting the old 9600GT back.
And 4 gigs of ram, I'm up for suggestions on brands

Thank you for reading and please check back I will make post as I make progress.

 

[ptmays]

A few more pics of the PowerHack G6 Build

 

[ptmays]

I started test fitting the case last night, the motherboard stands just pop right off. Sadly nothing in my big bag of computer screws fit the mac stand offs.

Luckily I had a Power Mac G4 Sawtooth in the closet that could be useful for one more thing in its long life organ donor or in this case screw donor. As luck would have it I came up with just enough to mount the motherboard. BTW thats my other helper Harlan

Next step test fit the motherboard, matx fits well with lots of room for cooling.

I have a few more things I can work on before I start getting parts in but I guess the first thing I need to get is a PSU. I want to use a modular PSU I just have not been able to decide on one, any suggestions?

At this point I am at a cross road, I have not made any cuts on the case, I want the case to look bone stock from the front and the side but from the back I want it to function like any other atx case so I can use this case for years to come with any hardware I want. So do I cut out the back and rebuild it, do I mount the PSU much like an atx with hole at the back so that it can be changed quick and easy or do I mod the hell out of everything so it looks apple in the back but all my parts have to be one offs.

 

[o_mega05]

Awesome stuff ptmays!!! Just curious, I found some empty cases on eBay for reasonable prices. Are there specific cases to look for, or are they all the same?

I finished up my CustoMac Pro and am obsessed with this now. Mind you, I'm a complete noob when it comes to building computers, but I do know how to follow instructions and love creating something out of nothing.

Thanks,
o_mega05

 

[ptmays]

o_mega05

This is the guy I bought mine from, dont do buy it now make him an offer. After a few offers back and forth he accepted an offer of $175 plus $45 shipping. So I have $220 in the case I hope to list the PSU for $100 give or take I may be able to sell some of the cables out of the case for a few bucks so if I end up with less than $150 in the case I will feel good about.

With PSU (the one I got, I am banking on getting around $100 for the PSU on ebay) http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Apple-Mac-P...e_Desktops&hash=item4aa708c4ac#ht_2356wt_1431

With out PSU or drive bay
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Apple-Mac-P...e_Desktops&hash=item3363177370#ht_2226wt_1236

You can get a drive bay for $35
http://www.dvwarehouse.com/Apple-Op...irst-Generation-922-7729-----NEW-p-37246.html

I figured it would be a better deal to get the case with everything and sell the parts I didn't need to help fund the project. The nice thing is his cases are brand new replacement parts from apple.

As far as what case to use there are a few things to know, the G5 case is nice if you want to do a full ATX MOBO, but the draw backs are you cant find them new anymore, and mounting the power supply takes a little creativity, you can see I ran mine out the bottom of the case, that required a 90 degree power cable. The other major draw back for me was only one optical drive, for my new system I am going to put in a bluray reader and a DVD RW drive.

The Mac Pro case unless you want to do some major changes to the inside you are limited to a MATX MOBO, not a problem for me but some people this would be a deal breaker. The front IO board is easier to wire up from what I have read that will be my next project I think.

 

[o_mega05]

ptmays,

Many thanks for the excellent info and advice.

o_mega05

 

[ptmays]

Back to work, after a little break for the madness of Christmas and New Year I have started back.

I mounted the motherboard risers with JB Weld, and built the USB header to SATA cable, I have yet to test the cable as I do not have the new power supply for the system yet, and I do not think the front board will work with out the power connector.

I soldered the wires and coated them in JB Weld to protect and insulate the bare wires (I hope that works)

Next I decided to test this old board to see if it worked or not, and what do ya know it works, I dont know how stable it is, I think we took it out of service because it was giving some problems. But its something to play with till I pop for my new board and chip.

I also ordered some parts today:
Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016
KINGWIN 16" 90 Degree SATA Data & Power Combo Model SAC-06
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812226019

I got some money for Christmas (thanks mom) so I may rethink my budget on this build and up the CPU to an i7 or faster i5

 

[tonymacx86]

I'm moving this to the Customization forum.

 

[ptmays]

Thanks Tony

I found a problem in my plan for using the KINGWIN 16" 90 Degree SATA Data & Power Combo the L is the wrong direction since the drives mount up side down in the carriages so I have stopped the newegg order. I spent about 3 hrs this morning looking for a solution and I think I have come up with one that I have not see anyone do yet.

If everyone could take a look at this solution and tell me if you see a problem with it before I place the orders I would appreciate it.

The end of the apple SATA cable is a (Internal Mini-SAS 8087) to SATA so my plan is to get this:
http://www.pc-pitstop.com/sas_cables_adapters/AD8788-1C.asp
An 8088 External Mini-SAS to 8087 Internal MiniSAS Adapter

So the apple 8087 cable plugs in to it and I plug this in to the other side:
http://www.amazon.com/External-Mini-Sas-4-Sata/dp/B000FGI92U
An 8088 External Mini-SAS to SATA cable in to the motherboard.

I found it for $26 on Ebay, Ebay links just dont last so I linked to Amazon

What do you guys think, It will cost about $56 but it will be no cutting of the SATA cables I will be able to use the apple plugs so I will be able to use the drive trays just like a real Mac Pro. I will still have to wire the power but I'm ok with a soldering iron on power cables I just dont want to try to solder SATA wires.

 

[ptmays]

I have done some more reading it looks like there are 2 types of cables host on the SATA side and Host on the Mini-SAS side, I think I need the one that is Host on SATA side and target on the Mini-SAS side, anyone have any clue is this is right? I would assume that the apple cable is Host on the Mini-SAS side and Target on the Sata side but I have now clue how to check.