PowerMac G5 Freenas Project

[mysteryjon]

Hi Guys,

I'm mysteryjon from Australia. Been here for a very long time as a CD-ROM (read only), and this is my first PowerMac G5 project.
I've been running a Computer repair workshop for quite some time and have acquired some Classic Mac machines.

So i've been thinking about doing this little project for a few months already and finally decided to go ahead with it.
The plan is to, unlike the most common Mods here running ATX or MATX with power Graphics Cards etc, I'm hoping to resurrect my faulty/useless PowerMac G5 and turn it into a 24/7 NAS with MITX board, as home media server/torrentbox/Timemachine for me and my sister's MacBook Airs.

I'll be deleting the DVD reader, do a custom PSU mod fitting an SFX PSU into the original PSU housing, either getting a 240mm AIO liquid cooling for CPU or custom 160mm liquid cooling, depending on how much fab work requires if going for the 240mm and whether i can still use the see-thru plastic cover on it after installing the liquid cooling system.
I'll be also fitting in another 2 PowerMac G5 hard drive in the slot where the DVD drive used to be.


So the Specs are below, since i'm from Australia prices may be slightly more expensive than other cities.

OS: FreeNas
CPU: Intel Pentium G4400 @$68
RAM: Kingston KVR21E15S8/4 x2 (DDR4 ECC supported Ram) @$90
HDD: Seagate ST3000DM008 Barracuda 3TB x6 @$786
MB: Asus P10S-I Mini-ITX @$318
PSU: Corsair SF450 450W @125
CPU Cooling: at the moment not sure if should go with 240mm AIO liquid cooling (https://www.pccasegear.com/products/36781?gclid=CMno8rrUudICFYqTvQodCGcBCw&gclsrc=aw.ds) or 160mm custom liquid cooling（https://world.taobao.com/item/41702069722.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.5LwgQ9#detail).. what do you guys think?

References:
https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/rickyreall84s-g5-noir-et-argent.207885/
https://world.taobao.com/item/41702069722.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.5LwgQ9#detail
https://www.pccasegear.com/products/36781?gclid=CMno8rrUudICFYqTvQodCGcBCw&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/g5-front-panel-quick-guide.77208/


Questions:

What is the best way to take out the 3.5" internal HDD caddy?
If i want to retain the chime speaker and the fan, what's the best (cleanest) way to relocate it back on to the aluminium plate?

Thanks

 

[mysteryjon]

Update 4/3/2017

Alright, i've got some time to take out everything from the case today,
I have to say, it's a pain in the arse.

Had to use a bit of brutal force to pull out the board, thank god it was already faulty.

So so far i've managed to take out everything,
Plan is to

 

[mysteryjon]

Not much progress today really,
just cut out the rear IO panel from the G5 board.
Will solder the connections and connect them to MITX board.