Mac mini case mod power supply question

[jdreier]

I'm in the process of basically installing the innards of my mac mini into a vintage cassette deck and use it as a htpc.

My main question is what would be the best way to run the mac mini off a traditional ATX computer power supply? I could use the supplied power supply, but as this is a case mod, I'm also looking at adding additional components like a couple HDs and a DVD drive, so it's gonna need more power.

Is it as simple as splitting some wires and splicing into the power supply? Or will I need some sort of power regulator between the PSU and the mini?

My current mac mini is the older style setup. It was originally a 2006 1.66cd, but has since been upgraded to a 2.33c2d cpu.

 

[theRAMman]

if i was in your situation, i would use the provided power supply. I would have a USB hub internally to connect USB DVD/CD drives to. It would be a mess inside but the outside would be alright. (but im not pro so of course i would take the easy method 😛)

 

[jdreier]

Seems to be that's what I'm going to have to do.

I've been debating over if I should tear apart my mac mini and use that inside the case... or just build a complete hackintosh inside. The ladder would cost a lot more, but I probably wouldn't run into as many obstacles during the build.

I'm also going to try and install a mini amplifier inside the case. That way I can hook up some stereo speakers directly to the vintage cassette deck case.