Mac Pro case mod questions

[Spanky Deluxe]

Hi all,

 

I'm thinking of building an i7 hackintosh to replace my 2006 Mac Pro but I think I'd like to keep the machine looking the part. So, I figured I'd either get a second hand Mac Pro case or keep my case but sell the innards.

 

My questions are:

 

1. Can full size ATX boards - specifically the Gigabyte EX58-UD3R fit inside the Mac Pro chassis?

2. Any ideas where to get a decent donor motherboard tray?

3. Is it possible to carry on using the drive sleds? I wouldn't need them to plug in like they do right now but I'd like to be able to carry on mounting all my drives (5x3.5"+1xOptical)?

4. What do you do about the PSU to make it still look legitimate?

 

Thanks!!

 

Phil

[MacBookJoe]

With a little modification everything you have listed is possible, There are a few great MacPro mods on here and lots over at the AquaMac forums.

 

Check out my thread HERE.

 

Covers all of your needs.

 

J.

[Spanky Deluxe]

With a little modification everything you have listed is possible, There are a few great MacPro mods on here and lots over at the AquaMac forums.

 

Check out my thread HERE.

 

Covers all of your needs.

 

J.

 

Thanks! I had a look over at aquamac but didn't see that many recent modifications so figured I'd ask here. I'll read through that thread now. One thing though, do you think it'd be possible to get two PCIe 16x slots lined up ok? I'm using two 4870s in my Mac Pro at the moment and would like to carry on using them. I'm not really fussed about any other slots since I've never had use for them.

 

If I can do what you've done and do it with a EX58-UD3R, an i7-920 and my two 4870s then I'd be a very happy man.

[MacBookJoe]

Aquamac was able to get dual GPU's running in his latest MacPro build but it all depends on the Motherboard. With my i7 build I've gone back to M-ATX as they are not what they once were. the ASUS GENEII allows me to use 2 GPU's with them lined up in the same slots a real MacPro would.

 

...

 

The problem you've got is the first two PCI slots are 1x and the Mac Pro case only has 5 PCI slots total. In order to fit a ATX mobo you have to either cut away the self (as I did) or cut out the bottom of the case like AquaMac has.

 

Do you have the MOBO already??

 

Thats how AquaMac did it.

...

 

That still resulting in the GPU being in the second slot. as is ASUS board (like the Gigabyte board) has 2 1xpci for the first two slots.

 

...

 

You can see there on mine how the shelf has been cut away to allow a full AXT mobo to slot in slightly behind it.

 

 

...

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Mine in it's last build state.

 

This is one of AquaMacs latest. read about it HERE.

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Note the dual GFX cards starting in the second slot. thats what you can hope for with your choice of board.

[Spanky Deluxe]

I haven't bought anything yet. I've been thinking about the Gigabyte board because it seems to have the best i7 hackintosh support and is a decent overclocker. I'd like to hit 4GHz on air with an i7-920 D0 ideally, maybe with a Thermaltake True. I'm open to suggestions on motherboard though. I just want something that clocks very well, works very well as a hackintosh with minimal hassle, is completely stable 24x7, supports Crossfire for my 4870s, has 6 SATA ports for 5 HDDs and one optical and has 3 RAM slots (although 6 would be lovely). Gigabit ethernet has to work too. I'm thinking of using a 1000W Be Quiet Dark Power Pro PSU too.

 

PS I love your Mac Pro mods, both before and after the "phase 2" event although I'd be keeping mine as stock looking as possible.

[MacBookJoe]

Cheers :-)

 

I do love the stock look! I'd have liked to have kept mine that way. then bought another MacPro to go crazy with. I think everyone will understand my intentions once the latest phase is complete.

 

I've moved away from the Hackintosh scene. As I was into Folding and pushing my rig for every last MHZ I could sqeeeeze out of it.

 

Check out that AquaMac thread. I think that most X58 boards are the same ie Gigabyte (regardless of the model) So if Asus are fully catered for with OSX86 I'd be inclined to suggest the GENEII as it ticks all your boxes and would be the easiest to fit in a MacPro.

 

I'm not sure about crossfire support in OSX86 but like I said. I've drifted somewhat.

 

Will be great to see your progress, look forward to seeing lots of photos.

 

J.

[Spanky Deluxe]

Cheers :-)

 

I do love the stock look! I'd have liked to have kept mine that way. then bought another MacPro to go crazy with. I think everyone will understand my intentions once the latest phase is complete.

 

I've moved away from the Hackintosh scene. As I was into Folding and pushing my rig for every last MHZ I could sqeeeeze out of it.

 

Check out that AquaMac thread. I think that most X58 boards are the same ie Gigabyte (regardless of the model) So if Asus are fully catered for with OSX86 I'd be inclined to suggest the GENEII as it ticks all your boxes and would be the easiest to fit in a MacPro.

 

I'm not sure about crossfire support in OSX86 but like I said. I've drifted somewhat.

 

Will be great to see your progress, look forward to seeing lots of photos.

 

J.

 

I just had a look at a review of the Gene II over at Tom's Hardware and it certainly looks like a great board. One thing you said in your other thread was "looking back i wish i had done this differently but i just wanted to get it built." in regards to cutting out the IO port area, what would you have done differently?