My PowerMac G4 "Graphite" Mod

[Timhugall]

Thought you might like to see my cheap and nasty G4 case mod

Video:

[video=youtube;rvJhsrWSr58]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=rvJhsrWSr58[/video]

This was done with a full size ATX GA-Z77-DS3H.

It's not the prettiest build but the case I bought was from eBay for £9 and although ok wasn't nice enough to do a thorough mod with.

The only hardcore work that had to be done was using an angle grinder to take a chunk out of the metal corner to help the mobo fit.

The custom made tray meant the plastic catch had to go and now the door is held shut by the padlock mechanism.

The power button is from an old HP case and mounted cheekily behind the DVD door so the tray open button will power on the machine (has quite a nice action). I couldn't fathom how to rewire the original and had no intention of using an optical drive so it didn't really matter.

Using the stock CPU cooler and a rather nifty PCIe slot extraction fan which pulls heat away from the hefty GPU. Gives good ambient and GPU die temps with minimal noise.

Some pics as well:

Second hand GPU needed some cleaning:

Trying it out for size:

Power Supply has ludicrously short cables which means it always looks messy:

Sitting pretty using an Apple wired Keyboard (with USB Bluetooth dongle attached) and a Magic Mouse:

 

[Olli73]

Hi Timhugall,

Nice quick mod You did there!! I like the way You used the eject-button to power up you Hack.
As for the cables, you could use extensions for the 12V & 24V cables, the 12V fits nicely under the mobo. Had to polish the case of my G4 too, to make it presentable. Did You think about reverse-locking the case door?

Olli

 

[Adrian B]

I agree with Olli, you have performed a simple effective case mod, well done - not everyone has the patience to attempt time consuming modifications to a case. You can buy cable extensions for the motherboard connections.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...atx+extension,computers,294&tag=tonymacx86-21

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...31031,k:atx+4+pin+extension&tag=tonymacx86-21

This will make it easier to open your case on those rare occasions that you need to. You can refine your internet search on whichever website you wish.


Adrian B

 

[Timhugall]

I agree with Olli, you have performed a simple effective case mod, well done - not everyone has the patience to attempt time consuming modifications to a case. You can buy cable extensions for the motherboard connections.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...atx+extension,computers,294&tag=tonymacx86-21

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...31031,k:atx+4+pin+extension&tag=tonymacx86-21

This will make it easier to open your case on those rare occasions that you need to. You can refine your internet search on whichever website you wish.


Adrian B

I want to avoid cable extensions at the moment for three reasons.

1. I don't really care too much, as soon as I can find one cheap enough I'll be replacing all of this with a G5 case which I much prefer.

2. I'll be replacing the power supply as it's noisy and underpowered.

3. I'm cheating a bit with that power supply and GPU combo. The GTX 260 requires two 6-pin connectors, I have none and I'm using adapters which is pretty much against the rules and risking burn out, that said they've been running for 2 months without issue now, either way although basic electronics dictate that an extension wouldn't cause any issues, I just don't want to **** about with the cables anymore.

Thanks for the suggestions though

@Olli, what do you mean by reverse locking? I'm in and out of the case a lot, it could be handy to have.

 

[Olli73]

Hi,

On a vintage case you´ve got to pull the knob in the back of the case and then pull the latch on the side door up (which pushes down locking hooks on the plastic-tray you removed) and you open the case. Since the hooks on the plastic-try like to break with age or when taking the case apart, people often "reverse" the mechanism. You cut the latches on the tray and reverse the spring which slides the lock. Now, if you want to open the case, you need to push the knob in the back and then open the case. The plastic tray inside does not move any more, meaning there´s nothing to break. I made a picture of it in my build-description.

But since this machine is, like You stated, only temporary, i don´t know if it´s worth the hassle for you...
I wanted to keep the plastic tray, because i wanted to re-use as many parts as possible.

Olli