Limited room for processing, thinking about CPUs.
Limited room for processing, thinking about CPUs.
I have a concept for a tailored 'sleeping PC' using a Bubble iMac, excluding the built-in display, to accommodate a complete system including a DVD drive. If I locate a laptop drive matching the iMac's size and bezel compatibility, I could assemble it with some adhesive. My main concern is choosing between a CPU or an APU, and deciding on the processor generation. I’m certain it would likely be an MATX or MITX board with either 8 or 16 GB of DDR4 RAM. As I progress in processor technology, power consumption and heat output decrease, so newer Ryzen chips generally use less energy. However, adding a dedicated GPU would generate significant heat, making an older graphics card more suitable unless I prefer a modern Nvidia 10-series. I’m also considering a GPU, but it would add considerable thermal load. For a budget-friendly setup, I’m looking for a motherboard with built-in Wi-Fi and an M.2 slot (or two), preferably from the ASUS TUF line, paired with a suitable CPU. The board doesn’t need to be cutting-edge just available and in demand.
It’s possible with an ITX setup, though a GPU isn’t obvious unless you opt for a low-profile or single-fan design, which is often hard to locate for a solid chip. I recommend using an Intel 10100 and a budget RX560. This setup should run macOS Big Sur smoothly. For the power supply, an external PSU is the only viable choice.
I possess the same mac in storage as well, yet I never felt up to making changes. But I took some measurements. Without the CRT screen, you free up some space. The original iMac is cooled by a single white fan, probably 80 or 92 mm. There are intake openings at the base where the small feet sit under the optical drive (standard 5.25", though I replaced mine with a DVD+RW from LG—just remove the front cover of the new drive and it fits perfectly). Linking the built-in audio should also be straightforward. The main challenge, though, is installing a power supply. I haven’t progressed much yet; back then I thought SFX PSUs only handled 250 watts, which limited me to a Celeron chipset. I’d probably choose an AMD APU if I were building one now (thanks for inspiring me). This would allow a smaller PSU and reduce cooling concerns. A full-sized GPU could overheat or slow down below its base speed, making games impossible. Cutting holes in the plastic is tough—both looks bad and the plastic breaks easily when you drill (as a friend told me after trying to fit a USB dock under the board). My advice is to go with a mini-ITX board. For office work, an Intel base system would be sufficient and cooler than an AMD one. If you also want to play games, an AMD APU (especially ZEN 2 models up to 8 cores) would be ideal. You’ll need to adjust the rear IO layout for the iMac, which may require cutting tools. Remember to keep the CRT side panels covering the new components so they stay hidden. I’ve seen people remove the front glass and swap it for an LCD—this looks unprofessional and only works as a display. You might need to find a monitor with a 4.3 aspect ratio, remove the bezels, or use black foam to fill gaps. If you locate a glossy LCD, it would look better. And always share your progress as you go.
I'm still undecided about proceeding, but it's already tailored for that goal... I'm uncertain, yet it might not require going through the 4x3 setup. Perhaps a compact 1080p portable monitor would work, matching the existing configuration. The main challenge is handling the gaps at the top and bottom—likely a black hard plastic piece would suffice. It should measure 16X9, keeping the edges neat. The fan isn't white; it's black, just for reference. I might swap it for a grey Noctua REDUX model and add extra fans around the top area. I'd need to design a way to fit them, maybe using plastic under the lid to match the curve and drilling holes for connections. I'd probably include an RGB strip if possible. Regarding power, I have a few options that could fit and I prefer Windows over an outdated OS. I'll send you a photo of the modified case once I have one ready, so everyone can see how much work is involved. As for connections, I plan to use panel jacks for most devices. Edited March 10, 2021 by Wiebenor