- Joined
- Dec 11, 2012
- Messages
- 9
- Motherboard
- I still didn't read
- CPU
- the RULES
- Graphics
- so ignore me
- Mac
- Classic Mac
02/03/2020
Introduction:
I will start by saying admitting I have done a G5 conversion before, about 8 years ago, I was generally unimpressed with the result and it didn't become a permanent feature of my desk as it represented to many shortcuts and quite a bit of impatience on my part. Here is the offending article, these pictures now make me recoil xD...still, you live you learn huh?
However, I am now eight years wiser and much more knowledgeable where the likes of 3D printing and light CAD are concerned (my main hobbies).
I use to work in an electronics recycler and I still have a very good relationship with management there which is extremely useful for projects like this, I was down there the other day having a rummage around the PCI and motherboard bins when I spotted it, a G5 PowerMac modestly standing proud like a beacon amongst a backdrop of battered, beige, 2004 Packard-bell desktops. It was at that moment I knew what I had to do, and needless to say, when I got back home I dragged the G5 I had stashed away in the cupboard out of the abyss of old amazon boxes, gave it a good dusting and sat it pride of place on my project table.
Initial Designs:
With calipers and coffee in hand, I have decided to start on the 3D Printable water-cooling cooling system and back IO access panel, keeping what I have said above in mind I set out to design a suitable replacement for the G5 cooling system, this is my attempt, and keep in mind it's a work in progress so don't be too judgmental.
I didn't like the original fan holes on the back so I have replaced them with this all-in-one air vent and IO assembly in its place, I had the idea for this after looking at my PowerMac g4 cube and noticing the air vent at the top
Behind those two gray MacPro Delta fans is a 240mm radiator (not shown below) encased in a 3D Printed sleeve that will act as a mount, clipping onto the front of the case, on the opposite side of the fans is a clip-and-lock system similar to the original used on the G5s rear fan, for attaching air baffling / guides to the PCI slots and rear air vent (this hasn't been designed yet due to complexity of making curved square air ducting) :/
I am not worrying about motherboard IO shields (and I don't even want one) my rear plate will have a section that extends to the IO ports in the case and it will have a cable guide/slot cover on it, these work as both finger holes for removing the cover and also cable tidy holes.
Here are some renders of the parts I have designed so far for it.
And the PowerMac G4 Cube top air vent for reference:
04/03/2020 Update:
I have been heavily focused on the cooling system and rear IO panel section as it's/will be the main focal point of this system (as it was with the original G5)...I have also spent a good while calibrating and getting my 3D printer up to standard for the torturous test ahead of it.
Here is my progress where the cooling system is concerned, it's still not a finished design but it's a lot closer to being done and it will heavily resemble the final thing.
I have also managed to print of a prototype part for checking the fit with the delta fans, and it fits well I am taking notes constantly when I am thinking of new ideas, etc so it's really very useful to have something you can hold and play around with instead on imagining. (sounds so wrong)
Introduction:
I will start by saying admitting I have done a G5 conversion before, about 8 years ago, I was generally unimpressed with the result and it didn't become a permanent feature of my desk as it represented to many shortcuts and quite a bit of impatience on my part. Here is the offending article, these pictures now make me recoil xD...still, you live you learn huh?
However, I am now eight years wiser and much more knowledgeable where the likes of 3D printing and light CAD are concerned (my main hobbies).
I use to work in an electronics recycler and I still have a very good relationship with management there which is extremely useful for projects like this, I was down there the other day having a rummage around the PCI and motherboard bins when I spotted it, a G5 PowerMac modestly standing proud like a beacon amongst a backdrop of battered, beige, 2004 Packard-bell desktops. It was at that moment I knew what I had to do, and needless to say, when I got back home I dragged the G5 I had stashed away in the cupboard out of the abyss of old amazon boxes, gave it a good dusting and sat it pride of place on my project table.
Project goals:1: Design:
- I would ideally like to keep the same "design language" (hate that saying) that was used on the original G5 or any other modern(ish) (post-2000) Mac, keeping the same sort of theme but with variation will be difficult going forward but I think it will lead to a much better result, I would ideally also like to adopt some of Apple's more modern color themes such a space grey, etc.
2: Making it:
- I would like to make heavy use of my 3D Printers for this project, I think it's well-suited to this task as it can produce components I could never dream of making 8 years ago, and to a high quality fit and finish. The only two colors I am interested in printing with at the moment are Grey and White. Yellow is reserved for the prototyping, as I hate it, and have many reels of it leftover from another project.3: Materials:
- I would like to use as much original Apple hardware as I can with the modification of this case, I have access to old battered MacPro's that I can scavenge for parts such as fan guards, screws, cables, fixtures, and Harddrive sleds/caddies (I plan on transplanting the MacPro 1,1's hard drive caddy shelf into the top space of the G5) I am also going to do the G5 PSU mod via gutting the original PSU out and transplanting the innards from a Corsair 600W PSU into it, this is going to mean I am also going to have to be very vigilant where earthing and airflow are concerned. But this is something I have done before and surprisingly got right with my last G5 mod.Initial Designs:
With calipers and coffee in hand, I have decided to start on the 3D Printable water-cooling cooling system and back IO access panel, keeping what I have said above in mind I set out to design a suitable replacement for the G5 cooling system, this is my attempt, and keep in mind it's a work in progress so don't be too judgmental.
I didn't like the original fan holes on the back so I have replaced them with this all-in-one air vent and IO assembly in its place, I had the idea for this after looking at my PowerMac g4 cube and noticing the air vent at the top
Behind those two gray MacPro Delta fans is a 240mm radiator (not shown below) encased in a 3D Printed sleeve that will act as a mount, clipping onto the front of the case, on the opposite side of the fans is a clip-and-lock system similar to the original used on the G5s rear fan, for attaching air baffling / guides to the PCI slots and rear air vent (this hasn't been designed yet due to complexity of making curved square air ducting) :/
I am not worrying about motherboard IO shields (and I don't even want one) my rear plate will have a section that extends to the IO ports in the case and it will have a cable guide/slot cover on it, these work as both finger holes for removing the cover and also cable tidy holes.
Here are some renders of the parts I have designed so far for it.
And the PowerMac G4 Cube top air vent for reference:
04/03/2020 Update:
I have been heavily focused on the cooling system and rear IO panel section as it's/will be the main focal point of this system (as it was with the original G5)...I have also spent a good while calibrating and getting my 3D printer up to standard for the torturous test ahead of it.
Here is my progress where the cooling system is concerned, it's still not a finished design but it's a lot closer to being done and it will heavily resemble the final thing.
I have also managed to print of a prototype part for checking the fit with the delta fans, and it fits well I am taking notes constantly when I am thinking of new ideas, etc so it's really very useful to have something you can hold and play around with instead on imagining. (sounds so wrong)
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