Well I thought I would join in on the G5 modding spree and make something functional that can be my main/only rig for a while. One of the main things I want to do on this mod is not alter anything externally on the case that includes the rear I/O and expansion slots (besides maybe a paint job). So it will not be like most past G5 mods where the whole backside of the case is removed and replaced with an ATX MB tray.
Ill have to make custom M/B standoffs and probably J/B weld them to the case.
As the Power PC M/B is designed differently around the I/O ports with a regular ATX motherboard there is a gap between the holes for the I/O ports in the case, which will allow me to make adapters that are easily removable in case I need to swap MBs. however making the adapters is going to be challenging in such a small space. (3/4" gap)
I plan on having the front I/O fully functional with possibly some extra functions to the power led and button.
As the G5 doesn't have and buttons for opening and closing the CD drive, I'm thinking of using a motion detector mounted on top of the drive facing out the front. so when you wave your hand in front of the drive it would open. I'll have to check it it can actually sense anything through the mesh.
OR I could make a circuit that would use the power button, and with short presses and releases it could open the drive. the motion detector might be easier to make but might not work all the time, which could get frustrating.
Here are some designs I came up with a while ago for possible paint jobs.
I made them kinda quick so W/E ill touch back on it later when I actually get to that point.
I also thought maybe it would look cool with just the external/not mesh part of the case to either be painted/powder coated, and here are some of those paint palette ideas.
Tell me which you like best or suggest others!
For cooling I'm going to use 2 HUGE fans rated at 235 CFM at 12V
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=search&item=CF-221&type=store
At 7V and 5V they sound very silent and still move more air then my two current 120mm fans.
The fans will positioned on top of each other in front of the case, with a (hopefully) well designed sound dampening system that wont impede airflow. I'll post those design ideas later for critique.
I should be able to update later tonight with pictures of the fans in the case and I/O socket ideas.
Ill have to make custom M/B standoffs and probably J/B weld them to the case.
As the Power PC M/B is designed differently around the I/O ports with a regular ATX motherboard there is a gap between the holes for the I/O ports in the case, which will allow me to make adapters that are easily removable in case I need to swap MBs. however making the adapters is going to be challenging in such a small space. (3/4" gap)
I plan on having the front I/O fully functional with possibly some extra functions to the power led and button.
As the G5 doesn't have and buttons for opening and closing the CD drive, I'm thinking of using a motion detector mounted on top of the drive facing out the front. so when you wave your hand in front of the drive it would open. I'll have to check it it can actually sense anything through the mesh.
OR I could make a circuit that would use the power button, and with short presses and releases it could open the drive. the motion detector might be easier to make but might not work all the time, which could get frustrating.
Here are some designs I came up with a while ago for possible paint jobs.
I made them kinda quick so W/E ill touch back on it later when I actually get to that point.
I also thought maybe it would look cool with just the external/not mesh part of the case to either be painted/powder coated, and here are some of those paint palette ideas.
Tell me which you like best or suggest others!
For cooling I'm going to use 2 HUGE fans rated at 235 CFM at 12V
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=search&item=CF-221&type=store
At 7V and 5V they sound very silent and still move more air then my two current 120mm fans.
The fans will positioned on top of each other in front of the case, with a (hopefully) well designed sound dampening system that wont impede airflow. I'll post those design ideas later for critique.
I should be able to update later tonight with pictures of the fans in the case and I/O socket ideas.