Quicksilver 2002 mATX

[jamba]

..Quicksilver time again ..got this nice machine with 2 HDDs for just 2 Euros, wow! Installed 10.4.11 and 10.5.8 just for fun and testing, runs nicely.
The Quicksilver actually is the ultimate Apple G4 case for me, I always liked this look. I have a really old Gigaboard board lying around and other hardware which need a new home

components so far:
Gigabyte GA-EG31M-S2 with ALC888 and Realtek 8111C
Intel C2D E8200 ( 2.66 GHz, 6MB L2)
2 GB DDR2
Samsung 160 GB SATA, 7200
DELL DL DVD slim
7600GT

10.6.8 runs nicley with my old 7600GT fully supported. ML 10.8.2. basically runs too, but due to unsupported 7600GT 64Bit kexts it runs at 1200 X 900 (or similar), will have to look into that later again ( or get a cheap 8800GT ).

my install guide
http://www.tonymacx86.com/mountain-lion-desktop-support/107117-ml-ga-eg31-ms2-board.html#post653310

 

[jamba]

I installed the slim DVD in a 5.25 bay and this into the original Apple DVD carrier. When the mobo is installed I guess the carrier has to be cut a bit to fit the Ram although the Gigabyte board is a very small mATX version( 24,4 x 21 cm).
The carrier is not made of aluminium like the Graphite bit of steel or similar.

 

[jamba]

obligatory unmodded state
G4 guts
the upper DVD panel still has Superdrive sticker on

 

[jamba]

When pulling out the old standoffs, this time I was too hasty and cut my finger twice(!) on the sharp PCI bracket..(will this happen to me? neeever..) yay

I´ll try to use the original standoffs this time and glue it on the door.

dremel time..

 

[jamba]

original standoffs epoxied in position. I tried some other standoffs first but these have a nice 11 mm height and thickness.

 

[jamba]

considering the positioning of the components inside I´ll try what offers best cooling/ airflow ( under the limited circumstances in this littul case).First I wanted to put the HDD into the 2.5 bay under the DVD tray but this bay completely covers the HDD and no air will reach it inside ( and the HDD actually GETS really warm!)

When I installed ML on the HDD outside sitting on the desk I put the HDD into the Lian Li HDD cage with 120mm front fan which did a fine cooling job, so this idea popped into my head, why not use it in the case.. head down, the fan used as a floor input fan.
This offers three advantages, HDD damping in the cage and cooling four 4 HDDs and good position for airflow.

Its a little cramped but the door shuts..the ATX cables can be placed between the cage and the second floor fan on the right.
And for creating an actual air flow I install another 120mm on top of the case..

 

[makrja]

Hi,

Very interesting airflow project you got going on, mind if i take some ideas for my G4 Graphite?

- Mathias

 

[jamba]

Some updates on the build, I bored some holes into the DVD carrier for easier airflow and installed the Lian Li HDD cage.
There are 4 fans now, the original case back fan, two in the bottom and one on top. The one on the top I planned to use with minimal outtake flow but there isnt much space to blow out with the top G4 panel on
well, the others are quite good..

on the front I will glue a piece of the cut out old PSU plastic in front of the silver speaker for protection.


makrja, just go on, its a free world..

 

[jamba]

Its quite stuffed in here

after soldering the front panel PCB ( after MiniHacks guide ) power switch works but LED doesnt..

-edit, works now-

 

[rehpotsirhc]

When I did my quicksilver case I just soldered everything directly on to each component and cut all of the traces on the PCB.