Mac Pro Case

Aydinz · #1 04-25-2009, 12:35 AM

dont know if this fits in this area but yeah if it doesnt, please move

i was wondering if anyone knew if there was anywhere i could get myself a mac pro case, to put my HackMac hardware in

if not then at least one that looks fairly similar?

any suggestions would be great

Taisto · #2 04-25-2009, 12:52 AM

I dont think you can buy it in any shop. I thought of it as well - to build a "self-made mac".
Try to look on E-Bay etc. - they sometimes sell those cases, unfortunately often damaged, with scratches etc. but maybe you`ll hunt something for yourself

naquaada · #3 04-25-2009, 01:01 AM

I checked the australian ebay, there's nothing. I'm using special ATX cases which come very close to Mac Pro towers - take a look here. I like them, they are good portable with the handles, have enough space inside and a great airflow.

TheHAWKs · #4 04-25-2009, 01:15 AM

I found one one E-Bay that is in the united states if you want you probably can work something out if the seller would ship to you click here

Aydinz · #5 04-25-2009, 07:48 AM

wow thanks HAWKS

ill be asking this guy a few questions ASAP about whether i would be able to put my hardware in it, etc cause like there might be differences in sizes of hardware and it might not fit but THANKYOU

and nquaada i will deffs be looking at your case if this deal on ebay falls through

thanks for the quick replies everyone

Aydinz · #6 04-25-2009, 11:42 AM

oh by the way does anyone know if the parts i have will actually fit in a mac pro case? i would hate to get it and then realise the parts dont fit :S

naquaada · #7 04-25-2009, 12:29 PM

The Mac Pro case on ebay looks very bad, there were better ones at the German ebay, but not now actually.

Aydinz: There is HEAVY rework needed to fit an normal mainboard and power supply in a Mac Pro case. And if you take a look at the back slots you only can use a microATX board with 5 slots, otherwise you have to saw parts out of the case. The DVD drives are problematic too, you have to rework the drive jeject trays, and if the positions for the mounting screws are correct then this is another question.

Here's an auction of the Mac Pro-like ATX case, here you can take a closer look at these things. I know a place where it's a bit cheaper, and I could do some modifications. Isolation, dust prevention, firewire socket - even custom LED colors for drive and power. The only problem is the expensive shipping, but this would be in any case, no matter if it is shipped from Germany or USA. Actually I have one of these cases at home which I don't need.

P.S.: Get the drinks out guys, that was my 1111st Post!

Aydinz · #8 04-25-2009, 01:35 PM

oh really

you have one you dont need which is modded? is it in good condition? how much would you be willing to sell it for?

congrats on the 1111 post :P now just wait till your leet (1337 posts) :P

Taisto · #9 04-25-2009, 02:09 PM

That`s a nice case Naquaada - and cheap as well. Maybe i`ll get one for myself ( planning to build desktop hack to stop killing my laptop

) Thanks for the link.

naquaada · #10 04-25-2009, 02:22 PM

The case is new and not modified yet. I also have the original box for it. The case weights 4,5 kg, so this wouldn't be a shipping problem. Payment could be done with PayPal, but I don't have a real idea for a price yet, I also have to calculate the shipping costs.

The metal is strong enough, no aluminium foil thing. The only thing what's not so good is the method how the slots are fixed, but you don't need to go there every day. The complete weight of my system is 13 kg, but I have a lot of components in there. It's still easy to carry with the handles.

The modifications I'm adding is an isolation for the mainboard, dust prevention at the front and the side, this also covers the air holes which would appear black. The case comes with an adjustable airduct, so if you're using a flat cpu cooler (f.e. the Scythe Shuriken which is only 64 mm high), this may optimize the cpu's airflow. A little fix on the power button is neccessary, otherwise it can hang sometimes. I'm also adding a front Firewire connector. LED changing is recommended because the LEDs I'm using are clear, with the original ones you always see the green and yellow color. I have white, warm-white, red, green, blue and pink LEDs. Another method is to change the LEDs is to use two 3mm-LEDs which fit exactly in the front holes. This looks really cool. I'm thinking of a little electronics which allows to use a single LED for power and drive. A very crazy modification - I didn't made it yet but it would be possible - is adding an audio VU meter with 5 or 12 LEDs in the front, I know where to get some electronic PCBs for this. You can't see anything of this when the computer is switched off, so this must be a cool view when nobody expects it.

@Taisto: I know where these things are cheaper than on this auction, outside of ebay. And I also could do the modifications.