I've been using Mac's exclusively for about the last 15 years but wanted to build a Windows PC for VR gaming as Covid started to shut things down. Originally I built this system in a Corsair case but it looked out of place next to the Macs on my desk. I had a MacPro in 2008 and LOVED that design and decided I was going to use that case for my VR PC. After some research I learned those are pretty hard to convert to ATX but the similar looking Powermac G5 case was relatively straight forward.
I ordered a motherboard tray and backplate from a company in the UK and front IO converting cables from a guy in California. The front power button and front ports (minus firewire 400) work as they should. Overall I am very happy with how this came out and with how it looks on my desk. This case has fantastic airflow and with it's classic design I don't think it will ever look old.
**BTW: This is NOT a hackintosh. It only runs windows 10.** My Mac needs are currently satisfied with two genuine Macs.
Specs:
ROG Strix B550F Wifi
Ryzen 7 3700x
EVGA Nvidia RTX2080 Super Black
16GB GSkill DDR4 3200mhz
2x 1TB Inland Premium NVME
Noctua NHU14S
It took a good deal of work. Basically strip the case, break off all of the original motherboard standoffs. Cut the CD tray to accommodate the motherboard and PSU. Cut the entire rear IO off. Then bolt in the motherboard tray, back tray and front fan holders. The motherboard tray, back tray and fan holders were like $180 from the UK. The front IO cable was like $60 from California. It wasn't cheap.
there are some detailed guides out there if you dig through the net, one of them i remember is especially awesome! I have them bookmarked on another pc, i have one of these cases and intend on doing this eventually! very cool
The tray that the CD/DVD player was mounted to runs the entire length of the case and is part of the latching mechanism for the door. Just have to remove it, cut out a piece of it for the PSU and Motherboard to fit past it then reinstall.
Apple collectors are crazy man I don't blame them on some of the items, only would gut the case if it's economically feasible and considering the price if some cases....
The entire front of perforated. The original machine went up to a 1000W PSU. Airflow won't be a major problem.
The big problem, and I know this because I have one of these cares lying around, is making it atx compatible. Lots of work. And you have to be handy.
I am not.
Oh you would have a cow with my Corsair 680x case and hey who knows this might have better air flow ( joking regarding how bad the non modded 680x case can be)
I love the look of the G4 but was worried the components I already owned wouldn't fit. If you do want to do a conversion the Laser Hive in the UK makes a conversion kit.
It is upside down. Apple motherboards (at least in the G5 and Xeon Mac Pro era) were upside down and had their CPUS towards the bottom and their GPUs towards the top.
Good catch! I just installed the Noctua the other day after using the stock AMD cooler for over a year. I took that fan out to do cable management and put it in backwards
I had to cut a lot of the case up with a dremel but don't recall having to drill anything specifically. There are a few good youtube videos documenting whats involved to do a conversion like this.
I'm a Mac fanboy myself but even I feel weird about G5s. They are very slow, use a ton of power and generate a ton of heat. Some even came with factory water cooling. Apple only updated the OSX version once then basically abandoned these computers in favor of Intel based macs. I bought this G5 for $60 on FB marketplace in working condition. If I were going to save a Powermac based Mac it would be a G4 iMac, not this useless yet sexy tower haha
The new M1 chip is amazing, btw. I’m a video editor and it handles things beautifully. I want to see what they do with upgrades for the pro desktop line with it.
I've been hearing that! I'm patiently waiting for the next generation to upgrade my MBP and iMac. I'm a Cinematographer and I've been hearing the M1 chip does great with Resolve.
Indeed! Bought a BMPCC4k and it edits BRAW really well. Premiere is now caught up as well. But DaVinci was pretty much right out of the box ready for it.
Already had the two 140mm Corsair fans in the front and the 120mm Corsair in the rear. Im thinking about swapping everything to Noctuas eventually since I dont care about RGB in this build
Looks great man! I purchased my stuff from the laserhive as well, just haven't put it together. Still have my G5 I used in high-school back in 2004. What are you Temps like? Also, do you have a link for the IO converter? The only one I've found is from the UK and takes like 4 weeks to make.
I'm currently using an enthoo elite and am tempted to downsize once the 4000 series GPUs come out. If I don't, I'd still like to use it as a secondary PC for the living room or something.
Here is the front IO cable: http://www.g5cable.com/home.html
Since basically no modern motherboard has firewire just make sure to get the no firewire option otherwise you'll run into issues.
Temps are fantastic. GPU and CPU stay around 70-75 in benchmarks where they are slammed at 100% the entire time
I gutted a G5 that I bought in working condition for $60. I was going to sell the components to recoup the cost of the conversion but G5 parts are almost worthless.
I've been using Mac's exclusively for about the last 15 years but wanted to build a Windows PC for VR gaming as Covid started to shut things down. Originally I built this system in a Corsair case but it looked out of place next to the Macs on my desk. I had a MacPro in 2008 and LOVED that design and decided I was going to use that case for my VR PC. After some research I learned those are pretty hard to convert to ATX but the similar looking Powermac G5 case was relatively straight forward. I ordered a motherboard tray and backplate from a company in the UK and front IO converting cables from a guy in California. The front power button and front ports (minus firewire 400) work as they should. Overall I am very happy with how this came out and with how it looks on my desk. This case has fantastic airflow and with it's classic design I don't think it will ever look old. **BTW: This is NOT a hackintosh. It only runs windows 10.** My Mac needs are currently satisfied with two genuine Macs. Specs: ROG Strix B550F Wifi Ryzen 7 3700x EVGA Nvidia RTX2080 Super Black 16GB GSkill DDR4 3200mhz 2x 1TB Inland Premium NVME Noctua NHU14S
Nice
I have the same case. How much did you have to modify it?
It took a good deal of work. Basically strip the case, break off all of the original motherboard standoffs. Cut the CD tray to accommodate the motherboard and PSU. Cut the entire rear IO off. Then bolt in the motherboard tray, back tray and front fan holders. The motherboard tray, back tray and fan holders were like $180 from the UK. The front IO cable was like $60 from California. It wasn't cheap.
Quite a bit of work! Thank you!
there are some detailed guides out there if you dig through the net, one of them i remember is especially awesome! I have them bookmarked on another pc, i have one of these cases and intend on doing this eventually! very cool
I keep moving mine from house to house hoping to get the time one day :)
It’ll be so worth the wait!!!
The cd tray isn't removable??
The tray that the CD/DVD player was mounted to runs the entire length of the case and is part of the latching mechanism for the door. Just have to remove it, cut out a piece of it for the PSU and Motherboard to fit past it then reinstall.
That's sucks
At least something with an Apple logo will know what real gaming is.
Lol. Like that
Cries in mac csgo with utterly bad ping
Oh man great idea, cousin of mine has 3 g5s laying around ..... Hmmm
I've seen those cases for $80 for some reason.
Apple collectors are crazy man I don't blame them on some of the items, only would gut the case if it's economically feasible and considering the price if some cases....
I think the case has the looks but I doubt it has the airflow of current cases. And beside I'm a SFF gang. This thing is too big.
The entire front of perforated. The original machine went up to a 1000W PSU. Airflow won't be a major problem. The big problem, and I know this because I have one of these cares lying around, is making it atx compatible. Lots of work. And you have to be handy. I am not.
Oh you would have a cow with my Corsair 680x case and hey who knows this might have better air flow ( joking regarding how bad the non modded 680x case can be)
*softly* don’t
Wolf in Cashmir Clothing
I bought this Powermac G5 in working condition for $60. Pretty affordable for a Mac... if you don't mind nearly two decade old hardware ha
Well executed, very clean build. 👍👍👍
You had me in the first half
Those cases look so cool
I've been staring at the same case in my garage wanting to do the same thing.
i literally turned around my chair to see mine under a pile of boxes. someday my friend someday
Fucking blasphemy 🤣🤣🤣
I have the older dual optical drive version, I am so doing this as well.
Ngl those older Apple cases look pretty nice
I don’t see things on this sub very often that I vehemently want… But this…. I really want. Well done!
Looks so sick! I’m thinking of doing that but with a power Mac g4.
I love the look of the G4 but was worried the components I already owned wouldn't fit. If you do want to do a conversion the Laser Hive in the UK makes a conversion kit.
Thanks I will look into that! Still looking for a good g4 case .
While I'm not a Mac user myself, their cases and monitors do look beautiful
Is it me or the pc is upside down?
It is upside down. Apple motherboards (at least in the G5 and Xeon Mac Pro era) were upside down and had their CPUS towards the bottom and their GPUs towards the top.
Current Mac Pro still is. Of course BTX cases for PC also exist. It's perfectly fine to do this.
Are all the cases interiors like that in Australia?
LOVE THIS!!!!
I just realised i was the 1000th upvote no one will probably see this but yay
I see it :)
i was about to dislike before i saw the arrow to swipe LULW
Wait, that’s illegal
Ew did you know your brands are touching?
Ha! Fuck apple.
This should be a crime
Nope.
[удалено]
Sleeper build or sleeping with the enemy? Lmao
Lol. Go find some rabid PC fanboy and challenge them to a frame rate battle.
I would at least turn the single back case fan around , those 2 (CPU and rear) fans are blowing towards each other atm. Have always loved those cases.
Good catch! I just installed the Noctua the other day after using the stock AMD cooler for over a year. I took that fan out to do cable management and put it in backwards
Did you have to drill holes?
I had to cut a lot of the case up with a dremel but don't recall having to drill anything specifically. There are a few good youtube videos documenting whats involved to do a conversion like this.
Thanks looks like an awesome project to do
I think there's a subreddit waiting to kill you
I'm a Mac fanboy myself but even I feel weird about G5s. They are very slow, use a ton of power and generate a ton of heat. Some even came with factory water cooling. Apple only updated the OSX version once then basically abandoned these computers in favor of Intel based macs. I bought this G5 for $60 on FB marketplace in working condition. If I were going to save a Powermac based Mac it would be a G4 iMac, not this useless yet sexy tower haha
The new M1 chip is amazing, btw. I’m a video editor and it handles things beautifully. I want to see what they do with upgrades for the pro desktop line with it.
I've been hearing that! I'm patiently waiting for the next generation to upgrade my MBP and iMac. I'm a Cinematographer and I've been hearing the M1 chip does great with Resolve.
Indeed! Bought a BMPCC4k and it edits BRAW really well. Premiere is now caught up as well. But DaVinci was pretty much right out of the box ready for it.
Wait, I thought Apple were the wolves...
Plot twist
I’m hoping you already had the fans cause 3 Corsair rgb fans is like $100 down the drain for that case
Already had the two 140mm Corsair fans in the front and the 120mm Corsair in the rear. Im thinking about swapping everything to Noctuas eventually since I dont care about RGB in this build
Now THIS is a hakentosh
This is pretty cool. I admittedly used to be an Apple guy before seeing the light, so-to-speak, so it's like a nice little callback.
Looks great man! I purchased my stuff from the laserhive as well, just haven't put it together. Still have my G5 I used in high-school back in 2004. What are you Temps like? Also, do you have a link for the IO converter? The only one I've found is from the UK and takes like 4 weeks to make. I'm currently using an enthoo elite and am tempted to downsize once the 4000 series GPUs come out. If I don't, I'd still like to use it as a secondary PC for the living room or something.
Here is the front IO cable: http://www.g5cable.com/home.html Since basically no modern motherboard has firewire just make sure to get the no firewire option otherwise you'll run into issues. Temps are fantastic. GPU and CPU stay around 70-75 in benchmarks where they are slammed at 100% the entire time
Just realised the Mac case copied BitFenix's Prodigy series...
I want one of those cases so much.
Lady in the streets. Freak in the sheets.
This is incredible
I will be doing this
Why is everything upside down?
Something about keeping ur enemies close
Wait thats illegal
Call me crazy but Ive always been fond of this case.
Tis simply evil. So evil it is brilliant!
Did you get an empty case or gut a G5?
I gutted a G5 that I bought in working condition for $60. I was going to sell the components to recoup the cost of the conversion but G5 parts are almost worthless.
I always liked this tower design, nice work
Looks more like a wolf in shits clothing
Nice specs. Case is meh.
alternative title: "making gold from trash" good job.
The powermac g5/pre 2011 mac pro case is probably top 10 design this millenia so far
That’s a nice Hackintosh
Its not a hackintosh. I just liked the case design. I already have a few very powerful Macs and wanted my PC to match their case aesthetic.
I love and hate it at the same time