- Joined
- Jun 11, 2012
- Messages
- 355
- Motherboard
- GA-Z87X-UD3H
- CPU
- i7-4770K
- Graphics
- GTX 960
- Mac
- Classic Mac
- Mobile Phone
First of all, an explanation of the title.
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2001/07/03Apple-Puts-Power-Mac-G4-Cube-on-Ice.html
When the cube first came out, I ran down to my boss's office and ordered one on the spot! After it arrived he paraded every visitor to our offices to my desk and had me display the G4 core. We teased the PC Guys in our office about how big and noisy their computers were. Good Times!
Anyway, with all the excitement around here with regards to modding cubes, something dormant in me has been stirred. I love the cube. I think it was the most elegant computer design ever. And I want to bring one back up to todays speed. I want one on my desk and I want people to point at it and say "Hey, what is that!?"
I'm starting my project log a little late. I have already purchased three cubes; a 500Mhz one that I will keep stock and add to my museum, and two 450Mhz ones that I will mod.
I have purchased some hardware also.
Motherboard: Intel DH61AG thin ITX
Processor: Intel i3 2120 3.3Ghz Sandy Bridge with Intel HD2000 graphics [EDIT: Now using an i3 2125 with HD3000 graphics]
Memory: Kingston 2x4GB DDR3-1333 SODIMM 204 pin
CPU Cooler: GELID Slim Silence Iplus Heatpipe CPU Cooler Heatsink
Power Supply: DELL PA-19 230Watt 19.5VDC
SSD: Seagate Momentus 320GB 5400RPM 2.5" SATA
HDD: Kingston 128GB SSDNOW 200 2.5" SATA
I have read most of the G4 Cube mods posted on here and a few about the DH61AG in particular and they are very helpful in planning this mod. They are very inspiring as well. Props and thanks to EVERYONE here!
Goals:
- To stay as close to the original look of the G4 Cube as possible. Modifying the bottom panel is a given.
- To create a stable/fast hackintosh experience that will run the latest OS (currently Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
- A cool running system. This system will not be running 24/7 and I am ok with a little bit of fan noise, if needed to keep things cool.
- No Optical Drive. Instead, I would like 4 USB ports and perhaps an SD card slot. These are much more useful nowadays.
- Wifi and Bluetooth. I would like to use an Apple BT keyboard and trackpad, and wireless networking.
- I would like to support the original apple speakers.
Today I bench-tested the hardware and everything works. I had to solder a new end onto the power supply as the one that came with it did not match the connector on the back panel. I grabbed a left over modular PSU cable and dremel-ed off 6 of the 8 pins, leaving 2 that I soldered onto the end of the power supply brick. Im temporarily connecting it to the on-board connector.
I want to update the BIOS on the board. According to posts on this forum, neil, minihack, spence4 have flashed to version 39. I checked Intel's website and version 42 is available. Should I go all the way to the latest, or should I use 39. Will a new DSDT etc. be needed for 42, or will it work?
Please post any advice, thoughts, warnings, comments, spells, etc. All welcome. Wish me luck!
chaos
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2001/07/03Apple-Puts-Power-Mac-G4-Cube-on-Ice.html
When the cube first came out, I ran down to my boss's office and ordered one on the spot! After it arrived he paraded every visitor to our offices to my desk and had me display the G4 core. We teased the PC Guys in our office about how big and noisy their computers were. Good Times!
Anyway, with all the excitement around here with regards to modding cubes, something dormant in me has been stirred. I love the cube. I think it was the most elegant computer design ever. And I want to bring one back up to todays speed. I want one on my desk and I want people to point at it and say "Hey, what is that!?"
I'm starting my project log a little late. I have already purchased three cubes; a 500Mhz one that I will keep stock and add to my museum, and two 450Mhz ones that I will mod.
I have purchased some hardware also.
Motherboard: Intel DH61AG thin ITX
Processor: Intel i3 2120 3.3Ghz Sandy Bridge with Intel HD2000 graphics [EDIT: Now using an i3 2125 with HD3000 graphics]
Memory: Kingston 2x4GB DDR3-1333 SODIMM 204 pin
CPU Cooler: GELID Slim Silence Iplus Heatpipe CPU Cooler Heatsink
Power Supply: DELL PA-19 230Watt 19.5VDC
SSD: Seagate Momentus 320GB 5400RPM 2.5" SATA
HDD: Kingston 128GB SSDNOW 200 2.5" SATA
I have read most of the G4 Cube mods posted on here and a few about the DH61AG in particular and they are very helpful in planning this mod. They are very inspiring as well. Props and thanks to EVERYONE here!
Goals:
- To stay as close to the original look of the G4 Cube as possible. Modifying the bottom panel is a given.
- To create a stable/fast hackintosh experience that will run the latest OS (currently Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
- A cool running system. This system will not be running 24/7 and I am ok with a little bit of fan noise, if needed to keep things cool.
- No Optical Drive. Instead, I would like 4 USB ports and perhaps an SD card slot. These are much more useful nowadays.
- Wifi and Bluetooth. I would like to use an Apple BT keyboard and trackpad, and wireless networking.
- I would like to support the original apple speakers.
Today I bench-tested the hardware and everything works. I had to solder a new end onto the power supply as the one that came with it did not match the connector on the back panel. I grabbed a left over modular PSU cable and dremel-ed off 6 of the 8 pins, leaving 2 that I soldered onto the end of the power supply brick. Im temporarily connecting it to the on-board connector.
I want to update the BIOS on the board. According to posts on this forum, neil, minihack, spence4 have flashed to version 39. I checked Intel's website and version 42 is available. Should I go all the way to the latest, or should I use 39. Will a new DSDT etc. be needed for 42, or will it work?
Please post any advice, thoughts, warnings, comments, spells, etc. All welcome. Wish me luck!
chaos