Case Mod - Complete Sleeper G5 Water-RGB

Sleeper 2003 Apple Power Mac G5 case.
Requirements.

1. No external changes apart from what is in the PCI Case slots.
2. Only the water components light up. RGB fittings, RGB pump and RGB reservoir.
3. Black coloured parts wherever possible.

The plan is to CNC a reservoir that fits perfectly in the smaller top hole when the case is open.

There are 4 screw holes on the bottom of the case and 17 mounted "nuts" on the back of the case wall. Everything will need to be mounted from these points with the possible exception of the 2 92mm back fans.

First time on bit-tech after finding you tube channel while researching distribution plates
First time case mod apart from hydro dipping a Corsair 380T
First time custom water cooling
First time hardlining (If that's the word)
First time CNCing anything
First time.... many many things.

My concerns at this point are.

1. Getting the PSU connected up with the case power socket.
2. Getting all the back IO working. Network,USB and Audio.
   
3. Getting all the front IO working. Power button, USB and Audio.
4. CNCing the reservoir.
5. Custom O-Ring for the reservoir. Preferable silicone I guess... I don't know.
   
6. Air flow in general. Mostly having the PSU internal.
7. Water destroying all my parts.

..... I am sure it will be fine.

 

you know things are going to be good when in the first post someone takes a hacksaw to a mobo

 

Update:

All parts purchased and acquired.
Work started on making new back plate.
MB put together.
Designs made for printed mounts. Pump,radiator and MB.

Sorry for bad photos DSLR is in the shop it will get better.

 

hmmm plywood motherboard tray, wonder where I have seen that before ... seems like it would be useful when putting a MATX motherboard into a Baby AT case from the early 90's ... have to remember that one (I love it when a bad idea starts to spread)

 

Hi Osgeld. Thanks for the comment.

Firstly plywood is the best!!! But at this point it is only being used to plan out the Printed motherboard tray parts.

I held the cut-to-size timber in the case in the best spot then hit it with a hammer a couple of times. This made perfect indents where the mounting screws are.

Now I can plan out all my bracket mounting points and cable management.

If the 3D printing doesn't work or looks good I reserve the right to use the Ply

 

Update 2#

Camera back from the shop.

Soldering Done:
Front and back IO wiring Done:
Printing Done:

Mounting plate prints abandoned it was not working.

 

Update 3#

Mounting plate was not working so I got another door for $50 and am cutting one up to use it.

 

$50 for a sheet of aluminum is pretty pricey.
Holy F! Is that a USB3 port you soldered up? I can't even see the little solder pegs for those much less get a wire on them.

 

I really love MacG5 cases, especially modded with such attention to detail and accuracy, I am sure it will be great
BTW I am also impressed by your soldering on a USB 3 port, I tried that myself recently, but I realised that it was wrapped by a shield braid and has 2 other shielded twisted pair of wires too, and I thought that it wouldn't work if the braids were cut, but regarding your pic, it looks like you just soldered the wires, I am baffled

 

Thanks. Yes $50 was pricey. $30 was the shipping. I just could not get close to the colour and anodising a bit of aluminium myself seemed a bit over the top.

The soldering photo is of the back IO network port and the soldering was a massive pain. I did solder up the 2 use ports on the back as well. I will take more photos and post in another update on the back IO.

 

Hi Kim. Thanks for your reply.

The soldering photo is of the back IO network port and the soldering was a massive pain. I have no idea if my back or front USB ports will work.

I solder 4 wires and the shield. I hope that is all I needed to do.

Will take more photos and post in another update on the back IO.

 

Solder update#

2x USB, 2x Audio and 1x Network on the back IO.

Everything else doesn't work on the back IO.

 

That's rad. I admire your patience!

 

Despite what you might think I regret nothing.

I especially don't regret not having any access to behind the "Mounting Plate" once its in and many of the parts cant be put in until the mounting plate is screwed down.

I also don/t regret using RGB fittings that need to be individually wired up.

Wish me luck I have no idea if this will work.

 

Looks like what I consider 'done'.

 

looks nice thats for sure!

 

Update 4# Fit everything in.

May have busted the 20pin USB-3 port on MB no way to know for sure yet.

Put in GPU with fans still on just to see if it will work. I will need to do something about it dropping.


Overall I am happy. What was in my head is finally in IRL.

Next up.
Water pipes from MB to Pump to Radiator. To make sure it posts.
CNC acrylic distro plate. Acrylic arrived 2 days ago.
Put water cooler on GPU.
Final Water pipes.

 

nothing compared to the previous Mac build ahahah