Mac Pro 7,1 Conversion Kit Reuses the Cheesegrater Case for Standard PC Parts

The 2019 Mac Pro’s distinctive aluminium case could outlast its original components with a proposed conversion kit for standard PC hardware. The kit is aimed at owners who want to keep the perforated “Cheesegrater” enclosure and its front controls while building a PC inside it. At an expected price of around $500, though, it’s only one part of a much larger build.

The project is seeking support on Kickstarter. It has received $7 from one backer toward a $10,686 goal, with 28 days remaining. Those figures make the project’s funding status a key consideration for anyone weighing whether to plan a build around the kit.

What the conversion kit makes room for

The kit replaces the Mac Pro’s original internal hardware with mounting points for conventional PC components. It supports ATX motherboards and standard power supplies, along with graphics cards up to 308 mm long and 140 mm tall. Those limits give buyers concrete dimensions to check against their chosen parts before committing to a build.

Cooling options include air coolers up to 140 mm tall or liquid cooling with a radiator up to 240 mm long. The case’s existing fans are also part of the design: three custom adapter circuit boards and associated wiring are intended to let the original front fans continue running with the replacement hardware.

Storage provision covers two SATA drives, each in either 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch size. The planned package includes two drive sleds and two drive cables, as well as a motherboard and power supply mounting plate, an internal power cable, fasteners, and a bracket for the motherboard’s rear connections and expansion slots. A processor cooling cover is offered as an extra.

The design also aims to preserve the Mac Pro’s front power button, indicator light and pair of USB-C ports. A dedicated interface connects those controls and ports to the new PC hardware. The USB-C ports are specified as supporting USB 3.1 Gen 1. Keeping these features working depends on the kit’s adapters and wiring, so the conversion involves more than simply fitting a motherboard into the case.

The $500 price is only the starting point

The expected kit price is around $500, and buyers must also have the Mac Pro case itself. The computer parts are separate purchases: a motherboard, processor, graphics card, memory, power supply, storage and cooling system. The total cost will therefore depend on the hardware selected, and the listed kit price alone doesn’t describe the cost of a completed PC.

That distinction matters when comparing this route with another desktop build. The appeal here is retaining a specific enclosure and some of its existing features. The kit doesn’t supply the components that determine the new machine’s performance, and the source provides no performance tests or finished-build results to use as a guide. Buyers will need to choose those parts themselves and account for their fit, cooling needs and compatibility.

Graphics card dimensions are one clear constraint: the design allows cards up to 308 mm long and 140 mm tall. Cooler height and radiator length have their own limits, while the motherboard must match the ATX support and the other parts must work together. Checking each component’s measurements and connections against the intended build is part of the planning, rather than a detail to leave until installation.

A conversion for hands-on builders

Installation involves removing the Mac Pro’s original internal components, fitting the kit and replacement PC parts, then connecting the necessary wiring. The project includes a guide, but the source says the conversion is suited to experienced PC builders. That makes the kit a more demanding option than swapping a single component in an existing desktop.

One practical advantage is that the conversion is described as reversible: the original case remains intact, and owners could reinstall Apple’s hardware later. That may matter to someone who wants to keep the enclosure in use while retaining the option to return it to its original configuration. The proposal doesn’t change the case’s exterior; its purpose is to make the interior usable with standard PC components.

For Mac Pro 7,1 owners, the trade-off is clear. The kit promises a way to keep the case, original fans and front controls, but requires a separate parts budget, careful compatibility checks and a hands-on installation. With only $7 pledged toward its $10,686 goal at the time reported, the immediate question is whether the project reaches its funding target; anyone considering a build should also verify the final kit details and component fit before choosing hardware.