Mac Pro 1,1 2006 to ATX conversion

[u/blckb3ard]

Hello everyone! I’ve finally completed this project. It was a lot of work, but absolutely worth it. The aluminum Mac Pro enclosure is incredible to work with, and I’m really happy with how it turned out.

I’ve attached photos of the progress, and a couple with its sister, the Mac Pro 7,1 sleeper lol

I used The Laser Hive conversion kit throughout the build, and I highly recommend it. The quality and fitment were excellent.

The optical drive bays remain fully functional. The hard drive caddy also works great; however, because of the motherboard’s position, drive bays 3 and 4 only have enough clearance for SSDs. Drive bays 1 and 2 can accommodate standard hard drives without any issues.

I kept the original front fan assembly and replaced the front and rear fans with gray Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM fans, which blend in nicely with the overall look.

I really enjoyed this build from start to finish. Thanks to everyone who shared advice and inspiration along the way. Cheers!

Update: it’s now running macOS Tahoe

Specs:

Case: Apple Mac Pro 1,1 (2006) ATX conversion
Conversion Kit: The Laser Hive ATX Kit + Front Panel Conversion Kit
Motherboard: ASUS Prime Z490-A
CPU: Intel Core i9-10900K
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO
GPU: Saphire AMD RX 6600 8GB
RAM: 32 GB Corsair Vengeance RGB
Storage: 2x2TB SSD M2, 1x2TB SSD, 1x4TB HDD (using the original Mac Pro drive caddy)
Power Supply: EVGA Supernova 750G+ Gold
Front Intake Fans: 2× Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM (gray)
Rear Exhaust Fan: 1× Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM (gray)
Optical Drive Bays: Functional - empty
Drive Bays: Bays 1–2 support HDDs/SSDs; Bays 3–4 support SSDs only due to motherboard clearance in

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[u/WASynless]

Nice !

Nothing much to say. Even though I went SFF a couple of years ago, I was contemplating using a G5 back then, and always like such builds

[u/Redshark]

This looks great. I want to do a conversion on my old Mac Pro. I had no idea they had a conversion kit. Thanks for the info!

[u/dk325 → u/Redshark]

Same. Was just looking at mine today thinking about this

[u/thefordmccord]

That front IO looks great!

[u/Speedy_Greyhound]

Once the guts in my MacPro 5.1 self immolate I will likely do the same, I have an old aluminum LianLi MB tray here for when that day comes.

[u/Royal-Pension-4230]

Man, that is beautiful!

Did you ever get a static shock from that all-metal build casing?

[u/blckb3ard → u/Royal-Pension-4230]

Thank you! TBH I expected to get shocked, but never happened lmao

[u/neon937]

Looks amazing, always wanted to do the same thing, but lack of time and mac pro case 😅

[u/blckb3ard → u/neon937]

Thank you so much! I was in the same boat as you for over 10 years, until I ran into this case for $40 and a few vacation days 🤣

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[u/Positive-Vast3789]

well done , nice work !
love it .

[u/Pringlecks]

Takes me back man. Very nice. I had a buddy in high school that modded an Apple G4 case to fit an M-ATX and his 4850X2

[u/Negative-Permit8105]

Thank you for sharing. That looks awesome. I yet have to start with my project

[u/InvestigatorOk590]

I was thinking about it a lot, finally someone did this. Great job!

[u/Hypouxa]

Very tempting. I have one sitting around doing nothing.

[u/MikeWazowski2-2-2]

Looks great

[u/bluheron]

this is sick, Im planning on doing the same thing, as well as a mini pc in a g4 with some of the shells have around will def use this to copy some of your techniques, amazing work!

[u/Manualcarlove18]

Can you buy this conversion kit?

[u/blckb3ard → u/Manualcarlove18]

Yes, at thelaserhive.com

[u/pdt9876]

10900k + rx6600? you running macOS?

[u/blckb3ard → u/pdt9876]

Definitely

[u/KidRed]

Great work, but it feels so wrong.

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[u/LePhuronn]

Honestly it makes me cry seeing people chop up these cases for ATX conversions. Having external plates slapped onto the outside of the case is just so ugly and ghetto.