$500 kit lets 2019 Mac Pro case house standard PC parts
A Kickstarter campaign offers a roughly $500 conversion kit that reuses the Mac Pro enclosure with ATX boards and standard power supplies.
An enthusiast has launched a Kickstarter campaign for a conversion kit that lets owners of Apple's 2019 Mac Pro reuse the machine's enclosure with standard desktop PC components, according to techradar.com. The kit is expected to cost around $500, excluding the Mac Pro case and the PC parts themselves.
The campaign has so far raised $7 from one backer against a funding goal of $10,686, with 28 days remaining. The kit is designed for ATX motherboards, standard power supplies and graphics cards up to 308 mm long and 140 mm tall. It accommodates air coolers up to 140 mm tall or liquid cooling radiators up to 240 mm long, and provides space for two 2.5- or 3.5-inch SATA drives.
Original fans and front ports kept
The kit retains the Mac Pro's three original front fans through three custom adapter circuit boards. A dedicated interface connects the original power button, indicator light and two USB-C ports supporting USB 3.1 Gen 1.
The package includes a motherboard and power supply mounting plate, two drive sleds, two drive cables, custom circuit boards, fasteners and an internal power cable. An optional processor cooling cover costs extra.
Installation requires removing the Mac Pro's original internals and is intended for experienced PC builders. The conversion can be reversed.
Apple's 2019 Mac Pro, known as the Mac Pro 7,1, is nicknamed Cheesegrater for its perforated aluminium exterior.
Quick answers
How much does the Mac Pro conversion kit cost?
The kit is expected to cost around $500, excluding the Mac Pro case and the PC parts.
What components does the kit support?
It supports ATX motherboards, standard power supplies, graphics cards up to 308 mm long and 140 mm tall, air coolers up to 140 mm tall or 240 mm radiators, and two 2.5- or 3.5-inch SATA drives.
How much has the Kickstarter campaign raised?
$7 from one backer against a $10,686 goal, with 28 days remaining.