PC to G4 Case Mod

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PC to G4 Case Mod

I'm thinking about doing a PC to G4 case mod and I was wondering if someone could me. After doing a little research I'm finding out there are quite a few different models for the G4 case.

Does anyone know of a website that list the difference between the different models of the G4 case and or any other information that might be relevant?

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www.apple-history.com abey

www.apple-history.com

abeyance :o

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case designs ...

basically there are 3 different case styles ...

the first was this design ...

G4

then there was the "QuickSilver" design ...

G4 QS

and finally there was the "Mirrored Drive Door" design ...

G4 MDD

all three have different internal layouts ... the QS and MDD layouts have 5 PCI slot brackets at the back ... and the original design comes in 4 and 5 slot versions ... the MDD also accepts 2 standard two optical drives while the other ones just have space for one (the second drive space is only 3.5" in size for a ZIP drive) ...

hope that helps abit ...

TOM

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Quicksilver?

I thought the QS had room for two 5.25" opticals...

I was sure we had one where I used to work..

I could be wrong too, but I thought we had one...

CCC

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Re: Quicksilver?

I thought the QS had room for two 5.25" opticals...

I was sure we had one where I used to work..

I could be wrong too, but I thought we had one...

CCC

yeah ... i had thought that aswell ... but looking at a pic of the internals the second bay certainly looks 3.5" in size ...

G4 QS Inside

TOM

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Hmmm how bout a Gigabit in a

Hmmm how bout a Gigabit in a QS or MDD.... Makes me reconsiders a future mod of mine...

Shane

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.

The optical drive cages th G4 cases have a nasty habit of interfering (as in colliding) with parts on most PC motheboards.
(keep in mind you're going to have to use a Micro-ATX board with it)
http://www.systemlogic.net/articles/01/8/g4pc/

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dual opticals in B+W (-> QS?)

It can be done on a B+W at least, just gotta chop up sheet metal a bit. Just did this with one of my many Smile B+Ws. Don't know about QS . . .

(gets up to . . . errm, visit lé toilet, then to open up QS for a peek . . .)

OK, opened up QS - second optical ought to fit OK, based on a quick 'n' dirty examination.

Aw heck, might as well go down the basement and scope out the Sawtooth too . . .

K, that looks like Sawtooth is a nogo, processor/heat sinqué Smile are in the way. Well, I suppose a second optical could be added above existing optical, not a very tidy solution though without a bit of cosmetic work.

Keep in mind slim portable drives, which with an adapter can be plugged right into the existing ATA cable. In theory, an easier fit since the slim form factor is that much more compact (tho still nearly as wide as 'normal' optical drive.)

That is all.

Dan K

edit- uhh, duh, rereading, I see now see the thread title, ummm, PC into G-case. Well, never mind the bollocks then . . . :/

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I do believe the the PCI slot

I do believe the the PCI slots are on the top of the motherboard instead of the bottom on the MDD. So might want to check that out before using that case.

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Message to all...

If I read the responses correctly, the only way to add a PC motherboard into a G4 case is if I used a mATX motherboard.

Unless it’s a B+W G4 case, in which I can add a full ATX motherboard in that style case.

Right?!?!

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.

If I read the responses correctly, the only way to add a PC motherboard into a G4 case is if I used a mATX motherboard.

Yes. And, it's not going to be anywhere near easy, involving centre punches and drills and soldering irons and hammers and several weeks of hard work and plenty of other unpleasant stuff.
Unless it’s a B+W G4 case, in which I can add a full ATX motherboard in that style case.

Right?!?!


Wrong. The B&W G3 (B&W wasn't a G4) case is still MicroATX-sized.

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Take a look at this website a

Take a look at this website and tell me if my eyes are deceiving me.

Looks like this guy has a full ATX in a G4 case.

http://www.dekscussion.com/

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ATX dimensions

Okay, here's a quick and lousy picture I took of a full-size ATX motherboard sitting on top of my B&W's innards:

ATX - B&W MB comparison

Note these significant points:

1: The area of the B&W/Yikes G4 motherboard is similar to that of ATX, but the shapes are different. Most significant is the fact that it's about 3/4 of an inch shorter, side to side. Which means that it's *not possible* to mount an ATX motherboard on the drop-down drawbridge and still be able to close it.

Some "full" ATX motherboards are slightly shorter then this one, as they lack quite so much "lip" on the slot side. (This one is long enough to accomidate an ISA slot next to the last PCI slot.) Looking at the mounting holes it's *possible* that you might find one that'd just squeeze in there. However, the PCI slots probably wouldn't line up with the case.

2: A "full" ATX board has seven slots. (These days it's usually 6 PCI+1 AGP.) The B&W,Yikes, and 100Mhz bus AGP G4s only have 4 slots in the case. The later model G4s have 5. Neither is enough, obviously, to let you place a full-size ATX motherboard in the case and still let you have access to the first few slots. (Most importantly, of course, access to the AGP slot.) The contour of the drawbridge backplate sort of rules out cutting more slot holes in it.

So in short, you're probably for all practical purposes stuck with mATX. Which shouldn't be a big deal these days anyway. With all the crud they build into modern motherboards I'd think 3 slots should be more then enough.

--Peace

jt
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Swap some sheet metal . . .

. . . with a Cheese-4 ATX case from Comp-USA if they still have them. It's butt-ugly but that's only plastic deep, the sheet metal is just fine. The G4 is purty, but incredibly inefficient in terms of space design for the feature set. I never really checked Cheese-4 for fitting into the G4 skin, but there are probably others out there with a higher slot count backplane and drop down door that'll fit the Graphite G-4 if you look hard enough.

jt :ebc:

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Actually no that is a matx mo

Actually no that is a matx motherboard inside that quicksilver case. The only case that can maybe take a full atx mobo is a g5 case, and that's only if you take out the power supply at in the case, which I'd think you'd do anyway. Can't be certain until I get a case myself.

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When I did my g4 matx convers

When I did my g4 matx conversion the hardest part wasn't drilling the holes, it was cutting the metal plate. If you don't own a dremel or some other serious rotary cutting tool you should not try it. I think I spent about 6 months off an on working on my project, and I still don't have a way to fit an optical drive inside the case! I do love the look of the case and the clear side panels/handles rock but it is a pain to do. One other note, air circulation really sucks in the case so don't plan on getting anything much faster than a 3ghz or you may find yourself having to play those long gaming sessions with the side door open to keep from crashing.

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