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Powermac G4 Case Uses

nomar383

nomar383

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jan 29, 2008
1,310
0
Rexburg, ID
After reading about Psystar and all that crap I have become inspired. I want to build my own hackintosh :). I have an old G4 Gigabit Ethernet PowerMac that I aquired a few weeks back. I was wondering if it would be possible to gut it and use the case for my new hackintosh. Will a standard mobo fit in it? Can I easily replace the powersupply? Any Suggestions?
 
Haha, well I answered my own question. I took a look at the inside of my PowerMac and it is obviously designed for only 1 type of mobo, so i guess this is gonna be a no go.
 
You might be able to mod the case to some degree. Do you have a Dremel, some hot glue, some basic modding skill, and patience?
 
You can mod it into a Beer Server..... I've seen the G3 Blue&White moded into one. ;)

I'm still running my G4 so can't gut it... yet. but I am also looking into Hackintosh.
 
After more research it is indeed possible, but I need an mATX mobo and I would need to either gut out the DVD drive and ZIP drive to make room, or use a slim DVD drive. I am now accepting mATX osx86 mobo suggestions :)
 
I think I found all my parts, and it'll run about 400 bucks altogether.

Thats with:

7200RPM 500GB HD
New mATX mobo
2.6 Ghz Core 2 Duo
2 GB Ram
And the case

I'm kinda excited and after doing all the research I will probably order the parts over the next month.
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128078

Thats the board to use.

Why? Its so small, you have to do minimal hacking to the casing.

You'll have to dremel out the old I/O plating. Also take out all the mainboard standoffs, then tap new holes and install new ones for the ATX board.

Also, get as small as a DVD drive as you can, as you'll have to cut some of the CD cage out.

Check out insanelymac, theres a few people that have done this. Enjoy. :D
 
nomar383 said:
Thats almost the board I'm thinking of using, what do you think of this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128016
Click to expand...

Way too large, unless you dont want a DVD drive and are willing to do a lot of cutting, as well as some possible resoldering work.

Really again, the best option is that board. They'll perform about the same. 4 memory slots is kinda useless since you can get 4GB of RAM for 80 bucks. Anything more a lot of times is overkill.

The board also has a PCI-Express X16, so theres for your video card, 4 SATA 2 ports for HDs, and then an IDE port to reuse the old G4 IDE cable.

You gotta use IDE for your DVD drive, because as far as I know, they dont make that long of a SATA cable.

You'll also need a PSU with long leads, and then probably also an extension for the mainboard and 12V connectors, so that you can do it nicely.

Stick with the Intel stock cooler if you can, as you'll be able to close the door without having to do any relocating of the power supply.
 
ReanimationLP said:
Stick with the Intel stock cooler if you can, as you'll be able to close the door without having to do any relocating of the power supply.
Click to expand...

Could you explain this a little better? thanks

Should I install a new power supply? If so which kind?

Also i am planning on using the DVD drive only for the initial install while the case is open, then ditching it altogether.

And I did a little research on the board you suggested and it looks like it would work much better :)
 
1031898118k4W1WI1k3g_1_4_l.jpg


This shot here shows the location of the CPU in relation to the powersupply when the case is closed. Cooler height as mentioned could be an issue.

http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MzUxLDEsLGhlbnRodXNpYXN0
 
nomar383 said:
Should I install a new power supply? If so which kind?
Click to expand...

you MUST install a new power supply as the original is wired wrong for the new motherboard. you will let all the magic smoke out of your new board if you try hooking it to your old (original) power supply! :eek::(

any ATX power supply will fit. lots of really decent/quiet/cheap ones to be found at newegg. if you find one with a 120-140mm fan on the bottom, it would be pulling heat directly off the cpu/regulators and would work well.

the intel heatsink is a good idea as it's shorter than lots of the after market coolers and will fit without lots of extra work (relocating the power supply).

edit: to slow... and the pic above shows you the exact problem (sweet build!)

post pics of the build! best of luck!!
 
4JNA said:
the intel heatsink is a good idea as it's shorter than lots of the after market coolers and will fit without lots of extra work (relocating the power supply).
Click to expand...

I noticed not all processors include a cooling kit, but you are saying I should choose one that does because it is more likely to fit correctly?

Also I am concerned about attaching the motherboard, are their any tips I should follow? I can't use the current screw holes? (I know that's probably not the case, but it sure would make things simpler :))
 
nomar383 said:
I noticed not all processors include a cooling kit, but you are saying I should choose one that does because it is more likely to fit correctly?

Also I am concerned about attaching the motherboard, are their any tips I should follow? I can't use the current screw holes? (I know that's probably not the case, but it sure would make things simpler :))
Click to expand...

Measure up the holes, ie., (i've done this for a custom case) sit the MB where it's supposed to go or intended to go. Mark the holes then move the MB out of the way. If no existing holes come close you might have to drill some small holes and insert MB screws. Similar to these:

screws_mb_mount.jpg


then your MB will screw into those. Only thing to keep an eye on is correct height, and if it lines up to the card slots.
 
nomar383 said:
I noticed not all processors include a cooling kit, but you are saying I should choose one that does because it is more likely to fit correctly?

Also I am concerned about attaching the motherboard, are their any tips I should follow? I can't use the current screw holes? (I know that's probably not the case, but it sure would make things simpler :))
Click to expand...
Yes choose the retail box processors since they include a cooling fan. It is also cheaper than getting an after market fan separately. With Core 2's the two reasons for an after market fan are near silence or if you will be overclocking the CPU by extreme amounts. The stock fan can handle decent overclocks already.

The screw hole pattern will be different I would say to make a template of screw placement then drill out the new holes. Be sure to postition them so that your PCI card will line up. Edit: beat to this

Also I think there are hacks you can do to keep the throbbing powerbutton on the G4 case, DA and later had them possibly the Gigabits had them.
 
nomar383 said:
Great suggestion, where could i get some of these puppies?
Click to expand...

If you lived near me I can give you like 1,234,343 of them LOL.

You can usually find them in probably any MicroCenter in the pc parts section, not sure if radio shack has them (doubt it) maybe a local joe computer shop might spare a few (you'll only need like 4-8 of em) or maybe sell you a few.

Otherwise you can buy em online at pc parts stores.

I've even seen them come WITH new motherboards but most cases they come with store bought computer cases.
 
I bought the mobo that was recommended to me and it should be here by the end of the week so I can get started :)
 
nomar383 said:
I bought the mobo that was recommended to me and it should be here by the end of the week so I can get started :)
Click to expand...

LOL now you got me wanting to do the same. HAHAHA. I've always like this acrylic design. I know it's 'dated' but it's still a cool design. Same with the 'cube'

I wouldn't mind getting a cube case and putting a mac mini inside. I've seen a cube case turned into a kleenex dispenser.

Now I just gotta find (and justify to the wife) the cases to re-build my machines. I won't build a hackintosh, I wanna build a Frankintosh!

Good luck to you!
 
kkat69 said:
LOL now you got me wanting to do the same. HAHAHA. I've always like this acrylic design. I know it's 'dated' but it's still a cool design. Same with the 'cube'

I wouldn't mind getting a cube case and putting a mac mini inside. I've seen a cube case turned into a kleenex dispenser.

Now I just gotta find (and justify to the wife) the cases to re-build my machines. I won't build a hackintosh, I wanna build a Frankintosh!

Good luck to you!
Click to expand...

Good luck explaining to the lady, my GF flipped when I mentioned what I had planned. I think she was concerned the money wasn't being spent on her :) lol

Also if worse comes to worse, I can always scrap the G4 case idea and stick it in a standard case. Not much to lose really
 
nomar383 said:
Good luck explaining to the lady, my GF flipped when I mentioned what I had planned. I think she was concerned the money wasn't being spent on her :) lol

Also if worse comes to worse, I can always scrap the G4 case idea and stick it in a standard case. Not much to lose really
Click to expand...

I certainly don't want to thread-jack you so I'll ask if anyone knows or if you know, any site (I'm googling right now but comping up empty handed) or sites that sells the cases.

Thx in advance.

To OP. Stick with the G4 idea. Stick it out, it'll work. Others have done it (search PC in a Mac) it's not an easy task but patience will pay off with a nice hackintosh.
 
newegg.com sells nice cases for reasonable prices, but are you talking about old mac cases? Old mac cases are best found on eBay or craigslist

I found this G4 on craigslist for $125 with a monitor. It actually still works, but I am quickly running out of uses for it
 
kkat69 said:
I certainly don't want to thread-jack you so I'll ask if anyone knows or if you know, any site (I'm googling right now but comping up empty handed) or sites that sells the cases.

Thx in advance.

To OP. Stick with the G4 idea. Stick it out, it'll work. Others have done it (search PC in a Mac) it's not an easy task but patience will pay off with a nice hackintosh.
Click to expand...
nomar383 said:
newegg.com sells nice cases for reasonable prices, but are you talking about old mac cases? Old mac cases are best found on eBay or craigslist

I found this G4 on craigslist for $125 with a monitor. It actually still works, but I am quickly running out of uses for it
Click to expand...
Ebay is definitely a great source for G4 cases. Digital audio and Quicksilver cases have more spaces for expansion slots. Or you could get a PM 9500/9600 and use a full size ATX board. For more money you could get a Mac Pro or G5 case. I have seen the G4 cases go for as little as $10 to as high as $60 (with power supply). Don't get a Mirror Drive door case unless you want to do a lot of modding since Apple used a reverse design for expansion card placement.
 
I figured I should post an update on what I've done so far:
 

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