Put PowerMac G4 into G3 case?

[thevividyoshi]

I have my PowerMac G4 DA, which I recieved in a little worse for wear condition. One of the handles was completely shattered in shipment, and the entire case is dented. I like the look and colors of the PowerMac G3 cases, so I was wondering if I can switch between them. I saw a G3 on Craigslist over here, and I'll pick it up if I can swap the components around. I think the biggest issue would be the back plate with the IO on it, but I might be able to 3D print a new piece.

What do you think? Am I a madman?

 

[ReanimationLP]

I have my PowerMac G4 DA, which I recieved in a little worse for wear condition. One of the handles was completely shattered in shipment, and the entire case is dented. I like the look and colors of the PowerMac G3 cases, so I was wondering if I can switch between them. I saw a G3 on Craigslist over here, and I'll pick it up if I can swap the components around. I think the biggest issue would be the back plate with the IO on it, but I might be able to 3D print a new piece.

What do you think? Am I a madman?

IIRC, almost all plastics aside from the IO panel should be swappable between the B&W G3 and DA G4.

 

[thevividyoshi]

IIRC, almost all plastics aside from the IO panel should be swappable between the B&W G3 and DA G4.

Alright, awesome! So I don't even need to move the motherboard and stuff, I can just swap the plastics? That makes it much easier!

 

[bunnspecial]

The I/O port layout between the DA and the B&W G3 is quite different, and is also a different size. This part is riveted in place, so is not readily interchangeable. The DA also has 5 slots total(1 AGP, 4 PCI) where the B&W has four slots total(66mhz 32 bit PCI, 3x 33mhz 64 bit PCI). That's not taking into account differences in the mounting standoffs(which I don't know) or the fact that the PSU needs to be swapped and the cut-outs in the case are in different locations.

Here's a DA(right) next to a Yikes! G4(left). I didn't feel like dragging out a B&W, and the Yikes! is essentially a B&W with a G4 and without an ADB port. The fan grille on the DA only has a fan behind it on the dual 533(I think that's what the one pictured is) and faster, but even on the 466 and single 533 it's still good for airflow over the heatsink.

With all of that said, if you are sold on the looks of the B&W, all of the case parts EXCEPT the rear panel are interchangeable between the two cases. You will lose the big "G3" on the side, but otherwise everything fits up and bolts right on. In fact, I've parted out a few graphite and Quicksilver cases. The B&W handles tend to be fairly fragile, and I've put more than a few Quicksilver or G4 graphite handles on B&Ws just to have a steady base for the computer or have a place to grab it.

 

[thevividyoshi]

So in theory, I could swap the back plastic piece, at the cost of losing my AGP port? If I can find a reasonable PCI graphics card, that is a sacrifice I am willing to make. Mine is a 466MHz model (although I want to upgrade it to a 733MHz processor at some point)

 

[AphoticD]

So in theory, I could swap the back plastic piece, at the cost of losing my AGP port? If I can find a reasonable PCI graphics card, that is a sacrifice I am willing to make. Mine is a 466MHz model (although I want to upgrade it to a 733MHz processor at some point)

Alternative to ditching your AGP bus, you could run a bus extender down to the PCI port below with the card upside down (AGP connector facing out, away from the logic board, then flip the orientation of the L shaped steel plate and screw it back on upside down... I haven't tried this, but it should work in theory.

A quick search for "AGP bus extender" on Google revealed this: (EDIT: ebay link removed.. wrong product, my mistake)

 

[thevividyoshi]

Alternative to ditching your AGP bus, you could run a bus extender down to the PCI port below with the card upside down (AGP connector facing out, away from the logic board, then flip the orientation of the L shaped steel plate and screw it back on upside down... I haven't tried this, but it should work in theory.

A quick search for "AGP bus extender" on Google revealed this: (EDIT: ebay link removed.. wrong product, my mistake)

That could work. I'll see what I can do when I get the G3 in. Thanks!

 

[bunnspecial]

So in theory, I could swap the back plastic piece, at the cost of losing my AGP port? If I can find a reasonable PCI graphics card, that is a sacrifice I am willing to make. Mine is a 466MHz model (although I want to upgrade it to a 733MHz processor at some point)

The case construction is quite different on the back, and I think the parts are riveted together. I suppose it's POSSIBLE, but you're looking at a lot of work to swap those parts.