PowerMac G4 Monokul Style

[monokul]

Hello people!

This is my first post in this wonderful forum. I'd like to thank you for the time and efforts to share your great work.
Well I've decided to make my own PoweMac Mod. I have PowerMac G5 but I've bot a case from PowerMac G4 in a good condition.
So I'm inspired and happy to start this journey that must be finished by October for my birthday
The plan is to put the following parts (I don't have them yet):

Ivy Bridge Core i5 3570K // Gigabyte B75M-D3H //

Corsair Hydro Series™ H60 // Corsair CX750, 750W, 80+ Bronze // ASUS-GTX650TI-2GD5, DDR5 //

4x4GB DDR3 1600MHz Corsair Vengeance Low Profile

So far I own only the mobo Gigabyte B75M-D3H. I'll start from the beginning



Here is the time to explain that the idea is to put the motherboard on the static side of the case instead of the original design. When I've cut the back of the case I've realized that there's no support left and the case started to twist. So I used some parts from the leftovers to stabilize the construction. Here we go:



I'm planning to put a 120mm fan on the front of the case so I've made additional holes at the original place of the speaker.




As you can see I've used old standoffs from another G4 case that is left for further modifications. I had to reduce the height of the standoffs with a couple of mm. Two of them (the ones under the PCI slots) are shorter than the others. I've used liquid metal - two component adhesive that is very strong.
The last thing from today was the back plastic panel:



Tomorrow I'll search for putty for plastic so that I'll be able to finish my crazy redesign in a beautiful manner
That's with my first post! Thank you for everything guys! Any comments and critics are welcome!

============= UPDATE FROM 28th of March =====================================

Hello again!
The PSU turned out to be a plan changer
I've decided to cut the front panel and the front of the case so that the PSU will suck fresh air which will go out under the case. Some pictures:



Today I've put the putty on the front panel and tomorrow I'll be able to finish the process by sanding it into one piece



Does anyone know how to reattach that kind of front button plate?



The front panel will have a decorative net or plexiglass with many holes so that it will allow air to pass trough



The next thing I'll buy will be the water cooler to see how it will fit. And than the Graphic card and the HDDs. The CPU will go last.
That's it for now

================== UPDATE 29th of March ============================

So the back panel is almost complete. It fits all other parts. I'll wait with the painting in order to see if I need some more cutting or drilling . Here is the current stage:



Now I need some mesh to fill the free space. There's one concern about the fitting of the PCI components. I have about 5mm over-covering of the PCI slots going on my left side. As far as my predictions goes the HDMI port of the graphic card might be affected from that problem. So maybe in the near future I'll have to cut the back panel again

I plan to position the power button on the side of the static cover. The light for the HDD activity will go behind the Apple logo on the front since it's transparent and thin on this case that I'm moding.

That's all for now

================== UPDATE from April 4th ==============================

Hi people!!

The crazy cutter is here

OK. I have a few things to share about my progress. I'm going for a cable management "design" so there is time to cut my case more



what you see are the holes for the cables and some hooks I'll need to keep the cables organized.
I've purchased the Corsair H60 water cooling so in the next pictures you'll see the cable management and the water cooling positioned with the mobo the way it'll be at the end.



The gap that you see is caused by the plastic attaching mechanism of the panel under the Apple logo. I haven't pushed it further because it was difficult to disassemble at the beginning of the mod. You can see that the four screws of the panel are put in their places and they are holding it in place=




I'm using a 4 pin Molex to 3 pin fan adapter for four additional fans. The mobo pins are occupied by the water cooling. I'll think how to position the HDDs.

Here's where I'll put the power button



that's it for now
Wish you creative power and a lot of money for crazy moding!



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[ovb1]

Wow... that's pretty radical hack! Your rear panel is a serious hack job init! Looking forward to see how yours comes together compared to my much more traditional (boring!) approach....

I must ask why go for the m-itx board when you could easily fit a full size board in if your using the back panel?

Anyway it's looking good so far. have fun Orlando

 

[monokul]

I must ask why go for the m-itx board when you could easily fit a full size board in if your using the back panel?

Anyway it's looking good so far. have fun Orlando

Well I'm new to "moding" and I was afraid that there will be not enough space for cooling the case. Actually my first idea was to use another G4 case and there I was going to place the mobo on the door. When I've measured the latch I've figured there might not be enough space and I bought the smaller mobo. Then I bot this case and switched the concept in order not to move the tubes of the water cooling each time I open the latch. Next time I'll go for the bigger mobo ! Thank you for the comment!

 

[ovb1]

Well I'm new to "moding" and I was afraid that there will be not enough space for cooling the case. Actually my first idea was to use another G4 case and there I was going to place the mobo on the door. When I've measured the latch I've figured there might not be enough space and I bought the smaller mobo. Then I bot this case and switched the concept in order not to move the tubes of the water cooling each time I open the latch. Next time I'll go for the bigger mobo ! Thank you for the comment!

Ah. I see. Makes sense now. Good idea about not moving the water cooler tubes too.

 

[minihack]

I love seeing mod.s that are different from the usual.

The cuts to the back plastic are pretty extreme, but it'll be great if you can make it all look like one piece.

I'll be following this one closely. Be good to see how the rest of the components go in to place.

Good luck.

 

[monokul]

============= I have a solution for that so DISREGARD ========================

There's an update in my first post with the current progress.
Also I have a question since I can't figure out the exact model of the case I'm moding. Can you help me with the wiring of the power button so that I can use it?



The model is G4 2001 Digital Audio and that's all I know from the serial number
Thank you guys

 

[rehpotsirhc]

Did you plan on soldering direct to the board or using the factory pin header and cable?
I bought NZXT front panel extension wires and soldered them directly on to my Quicksilver's front switch board, cutting any circuit traces leading up to each component with a dremel.

http://www.amazon.com/CB-FRPAN-R-Individually-Sleeved-Speaker-Premium/dp/B004DCAMLI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1364584308&sr=8-2&keywords=nzxt+front+panel

 

[monokul]

Did you plan on soldering direct to the board or using the factory pin header and cable?
I bought NZXT front panel extension wires and soldered them directly on to my Quicksilver's front switch board, cutting any circuit traces leading up to each component with a dremel.

Thank you very much for the help. I've decided to do some drastic changes and to move the power button to the side of the case so I'm going to cut the board and use only one button for now.
Thanks man. Appreciated!

 

[rehpotsirhc]

Thank you very much for the help. I've decided to do some drastic changes and to move the power button to the side of the case so I'm going to cut the board and use only one button for now.
Thanks man. Appreciated!

If you're going that route I'd just look into something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Switch-Power-Style-Push-Button/dp/B000NWFEZQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1364659283&sr=8-4&keywords=power+switch

Edit: or anything like this: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=momentary+push+button+switch&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Amomentary+push+button+switch

 

[colinzeal]

I love where you have put the PSU.

I was really worried about the case overheating, so my main priority was to put a 15mm fan at the rear, blowing out hot air.

Therefore, my HD's and PSU are at the front, on the bottom near the hole for the small speaker. I originally planned to put a tiny fan at the hole, blowing cool air over the HDs and PSU.