Build a Mac Pro

[jangoforhire]

Ok, so tell me how crazy I am. But I need a new computer that will stay at home while my macbook pro is with me. I've been looking at mac minis on eBay and have almost got a few but haven't gone through with it yet.

Then I got this crazy idea. What if I was to purchase all the parts for a mac pro separately on eBay and build one myself? I haven't added up the cost yet but theres no way it would be as much as buying one outright. Also I'm sure all the parts wouldn't have to be direct Mac Pro parts and I could substitute my own RAM and HDD's and all that.

For example:

Chasis & Power Supply: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Apple-Mac-Pro-Chassis-Case-w-Power-Supply-620-4224-/220785973980?pt=Apple_Desktops&hash=item3367de9adc#ht_500wt_1156

MotherBoard: http://cgi.ebay.com/661-4998-Mac-Pro-early-2009-Board-Processor-8-Core-/110689705439?pt=Apple_Desktops&hash=item19c59edddf#ht_882wt_907

etc. etc. you get the idea.

ANYway, how feasible is my little project here....any ideas?
I also welcome "your crazy" comments. Tell me what I'm getting into.

 

[ashman70]

You could do it sure, but I think it would wind up costing the same or more then a used Mac Pro of the same caliber, so other then the fun aspect, why bother?

 

[jangoforhire]

Thats one thing I was worried about, I will have to do the dirty work of searching through everything to find the exact parts I want and pricing it all up. But its good to know its at least possible in the theoretical realm.

Or maybe I will just buy a mac pro case and build a hackintosh inside. Cheaper, and it will still look sexy....oh the options.

 

[CyberCat]

If you're tight on money I would do a hack inside a Mac Pro case, the cases run for about $300 on ebay and there are guides on insanelymac. Or you can get a G5 case which are cheaper. If you're comfortable with computers, the hacks are not a bad way to go. These days they are very stable and you can usually update transparently. It is possible to build your own real mac pro too and there have been at least several threads on here of people doing it successfully but you really don't save any money since the parts are expensive bought individually, e.g. just the logic board (motherboard) is around $800 as I remember. Of course if you shop around enough you can probably get some good deals. In any case let us know how it goes, it's always fun when people build their own.

 

[fairbanx]

there is also a discussion in this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/995385/

 

[ActionableMango]

I've read several times that the G5 case is more physically suitable for hackintosh. I looked into it briefly but ended up getting a refurbished Mac Pro instead.

 

[jangoforhire]

Perfect guys thanks so much for the help. After looking at my options I think I am going to go the hackintosh route. I will keep you posted about how it turns out!

 

[JollyJoeJoe]

Ok, so tell me how crazy I am. But I need a new computer that will stay at home while my macbook pro is with me. I've been looking at mac minis on eBay and have almost got a few but haven't gone through with it yet.

Then I got this crazy idea. What if I was to purchase all the parts for a mac pro separately on eBay and build one myself? I haven't added up the cost yet but theres no way it would be as much as buying one outright. Also I'm sure all the parts wouldn't have to be direct Mac Pro parts and I could substitute my own RAM and HDD's and all that.

For example:

Chasis & Power Supply: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Apple-Mac-Pro-Chassis-Case-w-Power-Supply-620-4224-/220785973980?pt=Apple_Desktops&hash=item3367de9adc#ht_500wt_1156

MotherBoard: http://cgi.ebay.com/661-4998-Mac-Pro-early-2009-Board-Processor-8-Core-/110689705439?pt=Apple_Desktops&hash=item19c59edddf#ht_882wt_907

etc. etc. you get the idea.

ANYway, how feasible is my little project here....any ideas?
I also welcome "your crazy" comments. Tell me what I'm getting into.

Been there, done that. OEM parts will costs you more than sourcing a 2nd hand Mac Pro and upgrading the processors, ram etc.