MP 1,1-5,1 Why Has There Been No New Motherboard to Put in the Classic Cheese Grater MacPro?

[danallen]

I think this is a simple question, sorry if it is stupid.

Wouldn't it be great if motherboard would fit into the classic cheese grater, with higher level PCI slots than the 2.1 slots in one we got from Apple? CPU and Ram spots for newer gear?

The elegance of the layout inside the cheese grater is fantastic. If upgrades to the foundational pieces inside were available, I would think they would be very popular.

Is it ridiculous to consider trying to make one for myself?

Any info you can provide will be much appreciated.

 

[Calaveras]

Motherboards are not trivial work. It's not like hacking the firmware on an old musical instrument.
I'm not even sure if Eagle could handle a PCB of that size and complexity? It would also be pretty expensive to get mad by a place like PCBway. If they could do a circuit board like that. I'm sure how many layers the older motherboards are. But I do know they are tighter tolerance than your average hobbyist boards.

 

[blackquartz]

I know it wont happen but I would buy a modern motherboard compatible with the Mac Pro. Day one.

 

[prefuse07]

I know it wont happen but I would buy a modern motherboard compatible with the Mac Pro. Day one.

Same, and the same goes for the 7,1, if someone were to make one.

 

[Calaveras]

heck, while we are at it, can someone make an updated video card for a 6,1?

 

[macguru9999]

You can buy a new mac pro motherboard, the 8,1, and it comes with its own case and compatible power supply bundled in. But it may or may not have the features you want .....

 

[mcnallym]

Motherboards that can buy off the shelf all conform to specific standards.

ie ATX, micro-ATX, SSI EEB etc.

Cheesgrater would require a double board solution or modification to support a standard module at which point then would lose the internal layout that you want and basically just the shell left.

there are a number of people that done this so isn’t impossible.

unless just wanting to use for a PC then the board also needs to support Mac OS which with limited shelf life for Intel Mac OS makes not worthwhile for commercial perspective from people, and Apple probably sue them.

the golden age of hackintosh is now over weher people want to admit or not.

 

[frou]

I disagree that the internal layout of the cMPs (and the fans) are particularly good, by modern standards.

It's indeed still a good looking case overall though. Lots of hardware modders have done PC builds in them but that inevitably involves power-tools.

 

[AlexMaximus]

I think this is a simple question, sorry if it is stupid.

Wouldn't it be great if motherboard would fit into the classic cheese grater, with higher level PCI slots than the 2.1 slots in one we got from Apple? CPU and Ram spots for newer gear?

The elegance of the layout inside the cheese grater is fantastic. If upgrades to the foundational pieces inside were available, I would think they would be very popular.

Is it ridiculous to consider trying to make one for myself?

Any info you can provide will be much appreciated.

The way you might be able to pull it off is a win by numbers:

Motherboard developers in China might be willing and able to manufacture a Mac Pro 5.1 "drop-in" replacement.
First you will need to start a Kickstarter Project officially. Second, you will need to talk to EVERY Mac/Apple Forum Admins to get allowed for Market your Project. Once you have a certain number of XXX of backers with an honest commitment, you can start the Process of PCB development of a limited small batch of drop-in replacements. It would be best to consult with Intel.
Since Apple is the limiting factor, you would need to develop a mainboard with MacPro 7.1 specs in a MacPro 5.1 form factor and some minor enhancements (fewer PCI slots and stuff because of limited space)
The Problem here is to keep your financial corridor. With the MP5.1 you will need to have two drop in boards. The Mainboard and the CPU board which will be a single CPU board as well.
For the Apple Mac OS, your final product would need to be an exact replica of MP 7.1 from a software point of view.

If you are willing to start a Kickstarter, I would recommend to start in an MBA program and do this as your economical Master Thesis to keep it commercially and economical viable. I am sure there will be many Universities that would love to participate. Maybe you can finance your MBA with that Kickstarter. Run the numbers and get back with us. Somewhere along those lines your business plan will give you the exact number of mainboard upgrades that you will need as a minimum to hit your cost break even. Bring OWC on board as a privat investor to sell it through OWC in the end.

It would be fun to do, however you are running out of time. The live cycle of the MP7.1 will be the limiting factor.
Also Apple will not like your idea at all. It somehow reminds me on the Lisa story down below.