Mod of the Month - July 2007

Author: Brett Thomas
Published: 30th July 2007
Comments (60) Stumble

Apple Core Duo

by Cyprio
Worklog

No matter how much you want to bash Apple's computers, there's not too many that would say they come in ugly cases. The G5 mac was probably the pinnacle of their design as far as traditional cases go, which may account for why it's so highly sought after by modders.

The only problem is, the G5 case is absolutely not cut out for a PC. And thanks to the rather uni-body construction of it, it's hard to change it and have it look good at all. Usually, it just ends up looking like some weird mash of ideas, no longer the sleek and attractive design it once was.

Unless, of course, you feel like drilling a million and six holes...which is exactly what Cyprio has done.


Mod of the Month - July 2007 Apple Core Duo by Cyprio Mod of the Month - July 2007 Apple Core Duo by Cyprio

In order to bring the case to ATX standard, Cyprio started off by hacking out the old back and epoxying in a new one. PCI brackets, fan holes...it was all added onto the existing frame, flush with the edges.


Mod of the Month - July 2007 Apple Core Duo by Cyprio Mod of the Month - July 2007 Apple Core Duo by Cyprio

To lend strength to his new back panel, Cyprio had to epoxy other strips of aluminium between his backplate and the perforated aluminium of the G5 case. But how do you hide that? Easy - with a drill, the right size bit, and a whole lot of patience. By drilling through each of the spots that there should be a perforation, the new backplate seems to just blend with the case.


Mod of the Month - July 2007 Apple Core Duo by Cyprio Mod of the Month - July 2007 Apple Core Duo by Cyprio

The shot 95 percent of people want to see on this site - the Apple logo getting sanded off! Cyprio wanted to take the outer piece (with the handles and feet) down to a polished aluminium, which meant getting rid of the anodizing job. Of course, he also wanted more fans - which meant busting out that trusty drill again.


Mod of the Month - July 2007 Apple Core Duo by Cyprio Mod of the Month - July 2007 Apple Core Duo by Cyprio

Yes, that is what you're seeing - an entire set of two fan holes and grills, drilled right into the side panel. Talk about tedium! But, the end result was worth it - with some countersunk holes for flush mounting, it looks as if Apple put these holes here and not Cyprio.


Mod of the Month - July 2007 Apple Core Duo by Cyprio Mod of the Month - July 2007 Apple Core Duo by Cyprio

A test fitting shows off the dual 240mm rads as well as the successful upside-down ATX mounting. And with the window cut into the other side panel, the case is starting to really take shape.

The end result will have the perforated part painted black, with the outside metal a mirror-shined aluminium. To say that sounds absolutely gorgeous would be an understatement....so we'll just wait and see how it turns out in his worklog.

If you think this mod should win this month's competition, don't forget to vote for it in this thread! Voting closes on 9th August 2007.

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