The Big Blue Hack, G5 case with a GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UP5 TH and other goodies

[RHVC]

RHVC Big Blue G5: i7-3770K - GA-Z77X-UP5 TH - 32 GB RAM -HD 4000 Integrated Graphics

Big Blue

Components

Processor: Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116501

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UP5 TH LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with Dual Thunderbolt
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128559

Memory: CORSAIR Vengeance 32GB (4 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model CMZ32GX3M4X1600C10
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233232

OS Disk: SAMSUNG 840 Series MZ-7TD120BW 2.5" 120GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147188

Data Disk: Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 ST3000DM001 3TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148844

Power Supply: CORSAIR Professional Series HX650 650W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

DVD: SAMSUNG DVD Burner 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA Model SH-224BB/RSBS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151257

Motherboard Tray: Mountain Mods Modular Removable Motherboard Tray (with 80 mm fan Openings)
http://www.mountainmods.com/mountain-mods-modular-removable-motherboard-tray-p-56.html

Case Fans: 4 each Logisys 80mm Quad Blue LED Fan
http://www.mountainmods.com/logisys-80mm-quad-blue-led-fan-p-124.html

JB Weld epoxy
18 Gauge wire

Apple Mac OS X version 10.8.2 Mountian Lion
Apple App store (U.S.)


Already Owned

Apple Magic Mouse
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TLTGM6

1 x Western Digital 120 gb drive WDC WD1200JD-00HBC0

SamSung SyncMaster: 19" 191t plus Flatscreen Monitor

Logitech Wireless Keyboard and Mx700 wireless mouse

Cambridge Soundworks Desktop Theater Playworks 2500 speakers


Comments

The Big Blue Hack.
This is my build log for a Hackintosh setup in a G5 case which I found at the local Salvation Army store for $20.00. I chose the components from the Tonymacx86 2012 build guide because I wanted to build the best system I could afford. Additionally the system had to fit inside the G5 case. I have built Windows boxes in the past, and I have upgraded my 15" Macbook Pro as far as I can. 8 gigs if memory and 1TB drive.

I want to thank tonymacx86, for the site, inspiration and all the work he has done for the community. Here are some of the build logs I have found quite useful:

Flatfoot's G5-i7 build: http://www.tonymacx86.com/case-mods/22097-flatfoots-power-mac-g5-i7-done.html

Stork's Thunderbolt Build: http://www.tonymacx86.com/golden-bu...-ga-z77x-up5-th-gtx-650-ti-mountain-lion.html

EDIT: Log Started on 12/12/2012. see my Big Blue Hack album at http://www.tonymacx86.com/members/rhvc/albums/big-blue-hack/

 

[Stork]

Hmmmm. You gave me some ideas for my G5 case mods.

 

[gameboy35]

Can I have a look inside? Really need to know where the PSU is. I can see it in front.

 

[RHVC]

Can I have a look inside? Really need to know where the PSU is. I can see it in front.

I just posted four more shots of the rig in my album. The first shot can be found here http://www.tonymacx86.com/members/r...ck/43707-2013-01-13-hackintosh-big-blue-1926/

I am still Thinking of a way to lock the power supply in place on the base of the case. But I am having way too much fun playing with the rig as it is.

 

[RHVC]

Tonight Timber my oldest daughter's Malamute wanted to know what I was up to tonight... He was not much help installing the USB3 ports in my hack...
I took the USB3 dongle that came with the GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UP5 TH Motherboard.
After some work with a Drill and a couple of files, I was able to modify a port cover and added two USB3 ports to the back of the Big Blue Hack. Before After and Installed in the case.

 

[gameboy35]

Thanks!!

 

[ElAwesome]

I would spend some money on an aftermarket cooler. I'm running the stock cooler as well now and it's the crappiest cooler I have ever been forced to use. During high CPU load it reaches mid 90s temps, and a jet taking off is nothing against the noise of this little piece of crap.

But nice work woth the mod!

 

[RHVC]

I would spend some money on an aftermarket cooler. I'm running the stock cooler as well now and it's the crappiest cooler I have ever been forced to use. During high CPU load it reaches mid 90s temps, and a jet taking off is nothing against the noise of this little piece of crap.

But nice work with the mod!

Thanks, I have been thinking about what to fix next on the Big Blue Hack, CPU cooling may be the direction, but so far the stock fan seems to be working well so far. The other direction I may head is to add a video card, but all will have to wait for a while. It's hard to justify spending more on my rig when it works pretty well as it is. At least that is the opinion of my wife...