PowerPC Motherboard

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caribou killacaribou killa
Posted:
in Genius Bar edited January 2014
I've always been considering a DIY desktop but only recently have I been considering a PPC computer. Is there anyway I can build my own powerpc computer? Any place to shop for PPC motherboards and componets for them? For reference I wouldn't be using the mac os i'd be using probably fedora core or ubuntu.

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  • Reply 1 of 4
    splinemodelsplinemodel Posts: 7,311member
    If you want to run Linux, that opens the door to thousands of industrial boards. Pick one of the several hundred PPC processors available and google search. Most of them won't be cheap, however, since they aren't usually intended for consumer use. The CHRP movement was supposed to get commodity PCB manufacturers to start making cheap PPC boards, but it never really took off.



    If you want the coolest PPC Linux on the block, get a PS3 and load on YDL. According to Sony, Terrasoft (makers of YDL), and a number of unaffiliated journalists, it's really easy.
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  • Reply 2 of 4
    caribou killacaribou killa Posts: 134member
    Would it at all be possible to use a logic board from a G4 Powermac?
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  • Reply 3 of 4
    splinemodelsplinemodel Posts: 7,311member
    Sure, but usually it's hard to find Apple motherboards that don't also come with the rest of the computer. Why you'd want to trade in the very nice Apple case for something worse then becomes the main question. It's also fact that used G4s seem to cost more than new Mac Minis, which also brings up a certain degree of puzzlement over building your own box.
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  • Reply 4 of 4
    benzenebenzene Posts: 338member
    If you're not concerned about speed, look around for a dead CRT-era G3 iMac. The flyback transformers in these models are notorious for dying, and you can usually pick up a perfectly functional (sans monitor of course) iMac dirt cheap. eBay for example, has tons of them. Shipping can be a little pricey though if you're getting the full unit.



    I myself have built several very usable machines from iMac motherboards, such as this rackmount mod a while back. The only caveat is you have to do a little soldering to make an ATX powersupply conversion cable.
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