My G4 PC modification

how to mod a pc into a mac case

my g4pc

Tired of the same old boring computer cases everywhere I decided in 2006 to build my own pc case. Inspiration came from mods around the web like this modification on HardOCP or this one. I knew that I also wanted an Apple G4 case fitted to accommodate standard x86 PC components. Another good source for information was this modification. Some expensive auctioning at eBay and a lot of drilling later I had such a special PC myself. Groovy, baby!

Later the project was disassembled and I moved on to a "normal" laptop. But in 2014 I came across a second g4 case I could use for spare parts. So I wanted to do it right this time and also get a nice paint job done. Here are the current specififacations and look:

Painted and assembled 2k16 version
Painted and assembled 2k16 version

Specs 2k18 Version

How it was build

I have seen modifications to G4 cases which just stuck everything into the case without keeping the old layout. Those are of course not able to open the PC while running, which is the coolest effect of the G4 case.

Opened case
Opened case

Only very flat components like these chips wont touch the optical drive cage or otherwise the side-door won’t close due to the large optical drive taking much space. I was lucky to find this board where only one of the RAM-holders had to go, leaving me with 'only' 1 GigaByte of RAM.

Memory slot modification
Memory slot modification

If I installed my PSU the way Apple intented it with the power connectors beneath the fan outlet, one of them would suck the air from the wrong side of the case. So I had to do some more cutting to make room for the fan outlet and install the PSU upside-down.

Power supply modification
Power supply modification

Another incompatible component was the IO-shield of the G4-case. I once again had to use my old companion, the dremel, to cut out a good piece of the backplate. Later I used some spare plastic piece to model a new back-plate for my PC. If I find the time, I will color it to match the rest of the case.

ATX shield modification
ATX shield modification

And no case-mod is finished without some lighting inside. So I put three blue leds into the G4 case which shine from behind the apple logo to show who really makes the most stylish computer cases. Move the cursor over the picture to see how it shines in the dark.

Lights on
Lights on
Lights off
Lights off

Specs 2006 Version

The classic 2006 version
The classic 2006 version

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