A Quality CheapoMac build for under 300 USD ~ Free Gigabyte H81M Motherboard

First, you can just skip this whole post if you don't live in the US at least an hours drive from
a Microcenter store. This deal for a FREE after rebate Gigabyte H81M-H motherboard from
Microcenter, requires you to buy the I3-4340 In Store only. When you purchase that CPU you'll
be able to get the GA-H81M for only ten dollars then send in a 10 dollar rebate = FREE Mobo!

www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.aspx?sku=039651

I know that combining Quality and CheapoMac in the title sounds like an oxymoron but this
would really be a very good budget build. You don't even need to go with a low cost Pentium
or Celeron CPU without compatible graphics, you get a 3.6 GHz I3-4340, perfect for everyday
stuff like internet surfing and online videos with the HD 4600 graphics.

NOTE: You'll need to use the HDMI output for video. So if your monitor doesn't have HDMI input
then you'll need an HDMI to DVI adapter.

After seeing this "free" mobo offer I then checked out Newegg to find a case and PSU. There's a
Cooler Master N200 mATX case for $29.99 AR and the Corsair CX430 for $19.99 after rebate.
Add in a 4GB stick of DDR3 1333 MHz ram and a 64 Gb SSD as a boot drive and you can even
out Cheap the Cheapo Mac base build. An easy to configure high quality CustoMac for folks who
are short on Cache.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119274

The Coolermaster case rebate is only good through 2/13/14

There is also a Rosewill FBM-02 mATX case on sale for $29.99 without a rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147167

If you attempt this build, post a CheopoMac user build about how it all worked out. I'm not
going to build one but would be interested to see how it goes for you.

Another Microcenter Combo deal right now for a higher end build is the I5-4670K + the GA-
Z87X-UD3h for only $289.98 AR. The 20 dollar rebate is from Gigabyte. The sales tax rate will
vary depending on which state you buy this combo deal in.

Click to enlarge. Again this deal is in store only at Microcenter.

Nice find

You don't need to be low on 'cache' to appreciate how good these simple builds can be. They are unbelievable easy to get running and function really well for a second machine, computer for the kids or as a home server where you can backup photographs, video and music files from all your devices.

Adrian B

for a first time builder is this a good option? im currently on a macbook pro c2duo 2.53 ghz and would like something a little faster for editing hd gopro footage and some 5dmkiii hd footage.

Adrian B They are unbelievable easy to get running and function really well for a second machine

Click to expand...

+1 You really get a lot of performance with these components. I've got an older I3-2105 in a
build that uses just HD3000 graphics and the performance is more than adequate for a media
center build. The I3's don't get much respect but they are worth what they cost. The HD4600 is
a significant improvement over the older HD3000.

xjasonx said:

for a first time builder is this a good option? im currently on a macbook pro c2duo 2.53 ghz and would like something a little faster for editing hd gopro footage and some 5dmkiii hd footage.

Click to expand...

An I7-4770(K) is the best for HD video editing but there's no reason you couldn't use an I3-4340 with
a dedicated graphics card. I've used a core I3-2105 for some HD video editing and even that works
fairly well. The I3-4340 at 3.6 GHz is much faster than that. If you can afford it though get the I7
to start if you're serious about video editing. You'd also need a minimum of at least 8GB of ram.

If you live near a Microcenter you can buy the I7-4770K for $249.99 It's a real "no-brainer" as
we say here in the U.S. Bundle it with a Z87X board and you've got the foundation for a really
nice build. http://www.microcenter.com/category/4294966995/Processors-CPUs

i dont mind spending a little more either. i guess best bang for the buck is what im after for sure..

whats the best route you think? the sub $300 you posted + dedicated video + 16gb ram (what video card would pair great for this and my editing, and photoshop needs?)

OR

the i7 + Z87X route? (also i see a few Z87X how do i know whats the best?)

thanks for your knowledge so far.. feels good getting back in the building a pc/osx game!

xjasonx said:

i dont mind spending a little more either. i guess best bang for the buck is what im after for sure..

whats the best route you think? the sub $300 you posted + dedicated video + 16gb ram (what video card would pair great for this and my editing, and photoshop needs?)

OR

the i7 + Z87X route? (also i see a few Z87X how do i know whats the best?)

Click to expand...

For editing GoPro video I'd get the z87X-UD3H board plus the 4770K. Add one of the
GTX760's for a video card. Makes a very nice combination that will be a usable
build for many years to come. You pay more now but will get many more useful
years out of it. Are you anywhere near a Microcenter ?

trs96 said:

For editing GoPro video I'd get the z87X-UD3H board plus the 4770K. Add one of the
GTX760's for a video card makes a very nice combination that will be a usable
build for many years to come. You pay more now but will get many more useful
years out of it. Are you anywhere near a Microcenter ?

Click to expand...

thanks! that looks like a great combo, im about an hr away from Microcenter, but I also think amazon might price match to them!! maybe even after rebates..?

whats the main difference between the boards ud3h ud5h?
i could also use built in graphics for the time being right? or is it best to install osx with my hardware set in place first?

xjasonx said:

whats the main difference between the boards ud3h ud5h?

Click to expand...

Go to the Gigabyte website and do the side by side comparison of the two.

i could also use built in graphics for the time being right? or is it best to install osx with my hardware set inplace first?

Click to expand...

Yes you can use integrated as long as you'd like, even do the install. The gfx card will make a bigger
difference in rendering times when you'll use a program like FCP X. Transcoding is mainly CPU dependent.

trs96 said:

Go to the Gigabyte website and do the side by side comparison of the two.



Yes you can use integrated as long as you'd like, even do the install. The gfx card will make a bigger
difference in rendering times when you'll use a program like FCP X. Transcoding is mainly CPU dependent.

Click to expand...

after stacking up these specs to the mac mini (with a new one due out in a few weeks)

[h=3]2.3GHz Mac mini @ $799 [/h][h=4]Specifications[/h]

• 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
• 4GB memory
• 1TB hard drive[SUP]1[/SUP]
• Intel HD Graphics 4000
• OS X Mavericks

the real performance gain is only in the video card! mac mini will hold resale value too where as the hackintosh im curious if it will.. id likely have to list hardware seperately on ebay to recoup costs.

with that said the sub $300 mac in here seems like the best bet now! if only it were to edit hd video nicely

cant decide want to do except maybe wait until the new mini is announced and hope prices drop?

- - - Updated - - -

trs96 said:

Go to the Gigabyte website and do the side by side comparison of the two.



Yes you can use integrated as long as you'd like, even do the install. The gfx card will make a bigger
difference in rendering times when you'll use a program like FCP X. Transcoding is mainly CPU dependent.

Click to expand...

after stacking up these specs to the mac mini (with a new one due out in a few weeks)

[h=3]2.3GHz Mac mini @ $799 [/h][h=4]Specifications[/h]

• 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
• 4GB memory
• 1TB hard drive[SUP]1[/SUP]
• Intel HD Graphics 4000
• OS X Mavericks

the real performance gain is only in the video card! mac mini will hold resale value too where as the hackintosh im curious if it will.. id likely have to list hardware seperately on ebay to recoup costs.

with that said the sub $300 mac in here seems like the best bet now! if only it were to edit hd video nicely

cant decide want to do except maybe wait until the new mini is announced and hope prices drop?