Modding an older PC

[aptivaboy]

Hi all,

I hope this is the right place to put this. I was looking at my old IBM Ambra Model M and an idea I've been toying with for awhile bounced back. I'm interested in taking an old box, like an IBM Aptiva case, and ripping the guts out to make a more modern machine. Someone will look at it and say, "Wow, a Windows 98 machine, you're still using that thing?" And then, I'll smile and turn on the Skylake processor and start playing Fallout 4 on it, something like that. Match it up with a Model M and a PS/2 mouse and it would look totally retro cool.

Now, here's the thing - are there websites dedicated to doing such things? I've found individual sites online about individual old IBMs, Gateways, and ASTs that have been heavily upgraded and modded (some are seriously insanely well-done), but not an overall website dedicated to such things. Is there such a website?

Many thanks,

Bob

[PunksDead]

i found this link on reddit a while back and was in love with the same idea. unfortunately im not tasked for such a project, it turned out amazing though

http://imgur.com/a/fvh1M

[Vittra]

Case modding has fallen out of favour since cases are so fully featured these days and rarely require any significant physical changes to make workable.

Bill Owen of mnpctech and The Mod Zoo are still focused on case modification of all sorts though:

http://mnpctech.com/
http://themodzoo.com/

With respect to forums, pick out any tech hardware site (HardOCP, HardWareCanucks, Overclock) and you will find on the forums people are still modding all sorts of things in various subforums and threads.

[aptivaboy]

I've seen that! He has a Youtube video on it, as well. That's just outstanding work. I'd probably save myself some of his efforts and just get a case that's already in an ATX form factor, for example, and not have to deal with the cutting and grinding he did on the backplate. A late model Aptiva would be my first choice, but I'd look at a Gateway tower with that curvy design they once had. Drilling some additional ventilation holes and installing a more powerful cooling fan would be the extent of what I would do, construction wise.

[rowdy]

i found this link on reddit a while back and was in love with the same idea. unfortunately im not tasked for such a project, it turned out amazing though

http://imgur.com/a/fvh1M

That floppy-based SD card reader is brilliant!