[Esotu]

I've got a Quicksilver G4 with the OWC 1.47 GHz upgrade. This computer is my love, and I want to pump it up.

1st question - I don't need my superdrive. I think I will sell it for a normal CD-RW and spend the money on a graphics card. How hard is it to remove a superdrive? And does anyone have some suggestions on which video card would be best for around $150?

2nd question - Is there any way to make my Quicksilver quieter? How would I go about doing this?

3rd question - How do you go about putting cool lights in the tower? Is it difficult and/or expensive?

4th question - Is there any other cool stuff I could do to the computer to make it unique? Speed, looks, or anything to pimp it out!

Thanks!

[Link]

Originally posted by Esotu:
I've got a Quicksilver G4 with the OWC 1.47 GHz upgrade. This computer is my love, and I want to pump it up.

1st question - I don't need my superdrive. I think I will sell it for a normal CD-RW and spend the money on a graphics card. How hard is it to remove a superdrive? And does anyone have some suggestions on which video card would be best for around $150?

This can be done very easily and with a phillips screwdriver but you will need a little patience as getting the drive plugged/unplugged is a little tricky at times..

2nd question - Is there any way to make my Quicksilver quieter? How would I go about doing this?

There are all sorts of ways you can try this. PERSONALLY if I really had the chance I'd just take a dremel to the backplate and totally cut out the 'cheese grater holes' where the CPU heatsink is -- except for the two that hold on the duct.. the fans used in most quicksilvers go as high as 6000rpm but what good is that if they can't draw in any fresh air?

Anyway, despite my crazy idea someone has actually done a QS quiet-down mod and wasn't afraid to do so (and provide us with info!)

http://www.g4noise.com/mods.php?ID=77&p=0

One mod that's been noted to be highly successful is removing the finger guard on the power suplply since there's already one on the back of the case.

3rd question - How do you go about putting cool lights in the tower? Is it difficult and/or expensive?

A friend of mine did one of these WELL known projects but it took a crapload of time. You can remove the paint on your case's side panels by giving them an alcohol bath though (99% rubbing alcohol) -- obviously taking them off the case first though!!

Actually lighting up the innards of the case might require some modding...

4th question - Is there any other cool stuff I could do to the computer to make it unique? Speed, looks, or anything to pimp it out!
Thanks!

I'll leave this for others to answer -- unfortunately I gotta go do something so yeah

[Komisar]

Dude don't do any of this if your still under mac care.... just please!

[Lateralus]

Even if he had 'AppleCare', it would have already been voided by the addition of the processor upgrade.

[Waragainstsleep]

To install the 'neon-tube' style lights, you need an inverter and one or more Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lights.
One inverter runs two of the CCFL tubes usually.

The inverter runs off a spare 'HD/CD-drive' power connector.
try www.overclockers.com for the lights, or just type "Cold Cathode Fluorescent Light Kit" into Google.
Overclockers may also have some quieter fans that could replace your stock ones.

[firefly]

Originally posted by PowerMacMan:
Even if he had 'AppleCare', it would have already been voided by the addition of the processor upgrade.

Thats almost as bad as PCs with warranty void stickers over the chassis cover...

[Link]

Actually it's not. The only 3 things applecare stipulates you can't touch are the processor, motherboard, and power supply. If you mod the case however, you might or might not get flack.

Popping off the left side panel and painting/clearing out the paint on it shouldn't be a problem. Putting stickers on your machine won't be either, but anything that could possibly short the case or change the airflow would

Having said that, applecare doesn't cover parts that were modified or not included with the machine.. They also don't cover damages caused by such parts.

Since this guy has no warranty, he can do whatever he wants.