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neilhart's completed case mods

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neilhart

Moderator
Joined
May 25, 2010
Messages
2,686
Motherboard
ASRock Fatal1ty Z270 Gaming - ITX/ac
CPU
i7-7700T
Graphics
GTX960
Mac
  1. MacBook
  2. MacBook Pro
Mobile Phone
  1. iOS
This thread is a summary of my case modding projects over the last five or six years. Feel free to ask questions or comment. I make no excuses for the excess as OS X and modding is my hobby.

Edit: May 30, 2021 - My first new project for 2021 is this ZS Case that can be seen at https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/neilharts-zs-oc-v1-build-a-new-vertical-case.313300/

IMG_2446.jpg



Edit: Nov 12, 2020 - My latest scratch build is here- https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/open-frame-i9-9900t-system-with-high-sierra.305613/

RwkTopPlate.jpg


Edit: 26 August 2018 -
Added “My Way # 21” at https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/neilharts-scratch-build-sff-case-project-my-way-21.250089/

ND-4.jpg



Edit: 26 April 2017 - Adding two projects that have been missing from this list.

The first is my last project prior to the S4 Mini. It is the Kaby Lake scratch build, My Way # 20.

5-GHz-20.jpg


The details are here: https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/neilharts-first-kaby-lake-scratch-build-case-project.214467/

Then the Sky Lake scratch build, My Way # 19, that was actually done in 2016.

White-Final-2b.jpg


And this thread is at: https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...ing-w-i7-6700t-35w-gtx-760-sm951-ahci.184165/

Edit: 26 March 2017 - Adding a link to My Way # 18 the Kaby Lake NFC S4 Mini project is complete.

F-2.jpg


F-1.jpg


The project log is here: https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/neilharts-s4-mini-nfc-project.216616/

Edit: 17 November 2016 - Adding a link to my latest G4 Cube project, My Way # 17. This project uses the Mini-STX form factor motherboard and a stand-up CPU cooler. Check it out. https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/a-proposed-skylake-cube-any-interest.197843/#post-1288465

L2.jpg



Edit: 18 December 2015 - Adding a link the MakerBeam Case project, My Way # 16. This is a full ATX motherboard into this small foot-print case.

B1.jpg


The build detail and trail to the Skylake build is here: http://www.tonymacx86.com/others/173534-neilharts-q4-z170-project-os-x.html

Edit: 02 August 2015 - Adding link to my update of my old GA EX58-UD3R with a Xeon CPU and repackage, My Way # 16.

F5.jpg


The build detail is here: http://www.tonymacx86.com/retail-ca...ard-ex58-ud3r-into-prodigy-mini-itx-case.html

Note there will be no more case mod projects for sometime as we have sold our home and are moving into a small condo. However this new location does have an attached 2 car garage which I am out fitting to be my new man cave/lab/shop and office (with my red Corvette at center stage).

Edit: 21 May 2015 - Adding links to my last two project machines.

The ASRock M8 Barebones Mini ITX Gaming PC build-out as an OS X/Win 9 Pro system, My Way # 15:

M8-S1.jpg


The build detail is here: http://www.tonymacx86.com/retail-cases/163153-neilharts-asrock-m8-barebones-z87-m8-motherboard.html

The ASUS Maximus VII Impact with a Samsung M.2 XP941 SSD as the boot drive, My Way # 14:

RH2.jpg


The build detail is here: http://www.tonymacx86.com/retail-ca...-w-m-2-xp941-booting-os-x-via-clover-xw1.html

Edit: 22 January 2015 - Adding my Scratch Build # 3 - Mini-ITX Tower

I just noticed that I had not added the Mini-ITX Tower project to this list of completed projects, My Way # 13.

H7.jpg


As seen here, I have red running lights that are switched by the center touch pad. The touch power switch is on the left and the USB and audio ports on the right.

This project is documented here: http://www.tonymacx86.com/others/133773-neilharts-scratch-build-3-mini-itx-tower.html


Edit: 12 December 2014 - Adding my Scratch Build # 5 (AKA- My Way # 12) a doodle for concepts.

f11.jpg


The project can be seen here: http://www.tonymacx86.com/others/139389-neilharts-scratch-build-5-doodle-concepts.html

Edit: 20 July 2014 - Adding my Scratch Build # 4 (AKA My Way # 11) - Micro ATX into a small box

N5.jpg


This project can be viewed at: http://www.tonymacx86.com/others/13...ild-4-microatx-into-small-box.html#post844308

Edit: 2 May 2014 - Adding my last two projects to this listing.

The LOL

R1.jpg


The LOL project is here: http://www.tonymacx86.com/others/130664-neilharts-lol-mini-g5-pm-no-just-fun.html

The SOS

0a.jpg


The SOS (system on slides) is here: http://www.tonymacx86.com/powermac-g5/129400-neilharts-slow-roll-g5-power-mac-system-slides.html

Edit - Oct. 1, 2013 - inserted the TOP project is complete and can be seen here:http://www.tonymacx86.com/powermac-g5/104010-neilharts-tower-power-top-short-file-server.html

The TOP aka Tower of Power project:

F-R-Front.jpg

F-L-Front.jpg


Edit - July 2, 2013 - inserted the Short Stack project is complete and can be seen here: http://www.tonymacx86.com/powermac-g5/93348-neilharts-g5-short-stack-powermac-g5-mod.html

2UP3.jpg

.

Edit - Oct 1 2013 - My scratch build was not previously listed. It can be seen here:
http://www.tonymacx86.com/others/89452-neilharts-scratch-build-case-2-a.html
.
m15.jpg

.

My G5 Power Mac project:

G5hack.jpg


This project is document at:
http://www.1neilhart.com/G5-Hack/index1.html

This is my home computer and is on 24/7 and currently is an i7-2600k on a ASUS P8H67-M Pro with 16GB 1600 MHz DDR3. This is the second motherboard and CPU as I refreshed the system to the 2nd generation iCore CPU. The system has no front fans. The original Apple PSU fans are still running (however at 5 volts). I intend to refresh this system with Haswell CPU and MB when they become available and the end user costs settle.

I run OS X 10.8.2 with all updates and a HD 5770 GPU with three DVI displays (one via an active DP to DVI adapter).

My G4 Cube project #1:

1-Case-Assembled.jpg


This project is document at: (see post #41)
http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/211764-g4-cube-plans/page__hl__ g4 cube__st__40

I cut my teeth on this G4 Cube hack attempting to run an i7 CPU and a GPU that drew too much power. I experienced over heating and PSU fold back problems. I resolved the issues by going to an i5 CPU and a less demanding GPU. I used the 165 watt PICO PSU and again while it worked, I was not really happy with the system. This system has been decommissioned and the motherboard lives in the Scratch Build project (see below).


My G4 Cube project #2:

Z.jpg


This project is documented at: (this is a long thread, see page 11 starting at post #101)
http://www.tonymacx86.com/powermac-...ow-profile-intel-dh61ag-mini-itx-g4-cube.html

This Cube project was given life by the release of the low profile Intel DH61AG motherboard. I used a low profile CPU cooler and a pusher fan mounted on the bottom panel and the system can pass my thermal stress testing. The system has been updated to OS X 10.8.2 and now resides in a place of honer next to my G5 Power Mac hack. To be truthful, it does not get much use.


My Mac Pro project:

M1M2.jpg


This project is document at:
http://www.tonymacx86.com/mac-pro-mods/28892-neilharts-mac-pro-hack.html

The Mac Pro project was taken on because I really wanted the built in 4 hard disk sub-system, plus I had seen several very clean Mac Pro projects. Note the minimal cut out on the rear panel and that I did not use a motherboard tray. Also note that I added an clear acrylic window to the CPU tunnel assembly to assure the air flow. This is a socket 1366 system with an i7-950 on a MSI X58 motherboard. The GPU is a GTX 460 and the system is updated to OS X 10.8.2. This system needs a home as it sit off to the side taking up space (I plan to talk my son into taking it home one of these days).

White Prodigy project:

Final.jpg


This project is documented at:
http://www.tonymacx86.com/retail-cases/63866-neilharts-prodigy-white-one-matx-itx-case.html

The project was taken on because I was drawn to the case from the first time that I saw it on the web. And I not finding a mini-ITX motherboard with the features that I wanted so I focused on fitting a MicroATX motherboard into the case in the same orientation. This is a line to line fit where side covers just fit. The rear panel and front panel are reconfigured to meet my requirements.

As it turns out this case facilitates the free flow of air (with my mod to the front panel) and no rear fan is needed. This is an i7-3770K CPU on an ASUS P8Z77-m Pro motherboard with 16GB 1820MHz DDR3 memory with a HD 6870 GPU running OS X 10..8.2 from a RAID 0 4 hard drive set. I am now using this as my work system and it is up 24/7.

Black Prodigy project:

h3.jpg


This project is documented at:
http://www.tonymacx86.com/retail-cases/85066-neilharts-prodigy-black-one-atx-mini-itx-case.html

Last back Friday, I purchased a Black BetFenix Prodigy case at great price with free shipping and no sales tax. Also I had become interested in motherboards with Thunderbolt ports, specifically the Gigabyte Z77X-UP5 TH.

A quick check of the BitFenix case revealed that there is 12 inches from the inside top panel to the bottom panel… meaning that a ATX form factor MB could fit with out sectioning the case to get more height (which crossed my mind as an option). So that is what this project is about, modding the case to accept an ATX motherboard. The mod is complete and the system is running well with an i7-3770k CPU, 32GB 1600 MHz DDR3 memory and another HD 6870 GPU.

i have plans to explore the options made available with the Thunderbolt ports.

Lian Li PC-Q25 project:

9-f-buttoned-up-running.jpg


This project is documented at:
http://www.tonymacx86.com/retail-ca...ts-mini-itx-into-lian-li-pc-q25-complete.html

This mod to a Lian Li case took on a life of its own. The main issues that I struggled with was noise and CPU cooling. The system has the i7-2006k and Zotac H67ITX-C-E motherboard. I am currently running it with the HD 3000 graphics as I cast about for a reasonable GPU for it. By comparison to the BetFenix Prodigy case, this one is too small and the trick is to get fresh air into the motherboard.



Scratch Build Case project:

SBC1R2.jpg


This project is documented at:
http://www.1neilhart.com/SBC1-R1/index4.html
and then more at:
http://www.1neilhart.com/SBC1-R2/index-6.html

Everyone should do at least one scratch build case to experience the joy of creation… ha ha ha. Anyway this is an i7-860 CPU, a major heat generator, which is tamed nicely by the Thermaltake Frio CPU cooler with a three fan wind tunnel. This system also has a 5 drives housed in an Icy Dock chassis sitting on top of the optical drive. it is unusual to say the least.

Have fun modding.
neil
 
Last edited:
Very impressive! Each is so unique. I'd love to try and preserve the original look of a Power Mac as you effectively accomplished.


Regards,

Ersterhernd
 
Neil,

Your work is awesome! I love reading your threads because they are such a great learning tool for me! Your attention to detail is incredible! Keep up the great work!
 
Hi !

Great post, this isreally interesting and informative !
I prrsonnally love your work on the Mac Pro and your first cube ! Greats mods overall, inspiring work !

Congrats,
Clovel
 
Great and cool, gotta show my son, he's almost 17 and will be a real freak like you, neilhart, but I'm afraid to hear him saying things like ... "look Daddy, IT IS possible to built a new computer not only each year, but each week..."

Best Regards,

Kassia, Berlin
 
Just a note that I inserted the TOP project into the first posting. Check it out.

Good modding,
neil
 
VERY COOL! ...and inspiring!

DIY is always the best way to do it - your build rocks, the most original Ive ever seen.

one day Im gonna build my own also.
 
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