Advice for new build CustoMac Mini July 2016

I am planning on building a new computer since my 2008 is finally giving up on me after all these years of hard work.
I don't use my computer for gaming, only for work and internet browsing. I work with E-commerce and graphic design. Mostly with Photoshop and building stores in Prestashop which sometimes requires having several Chrome or Safari tabs open, Filezilla, Photoshop, and other programs open at the same time.
Based on this, here's the parts I chose.
I would really appreciate any feedback as I am not really sure if this is the right configuration for what I do and also if there is any way I could go a little bit cheaper in this build without affecting performance that much.




Processor: Intel Boxed Core I5-6500 FC-LGA14C 3.20 Ghz 6 M Processor Cache 4 LGA 1151 (BX80662I56500) $ 204.94

Motherboard: Gigabyte LGA1151 Intel H170 Mini-ITX DDR4 Motherboard GA-H170N-WIFI $ 113.99

CPU Cooler: Zalman CPU Cooler for Intel Socket 1155/1156/1366/775 and AMD Socket FM1/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2 CNPS8000B $ 32.99

Memory: Ballistix Sport LT 32GB Kit (16GBx2) DDR4 2400 MT/s (PC4-19200) DIMM 288-Pin BLS2K16G4D240FSC (White) $ 129.99

Graphic Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 950 2GB GAMING, Silent Cooling Graphics Card 02G-P4-2951-KR $ 154.03

SSD: Samsung 850 EVO - 250GB - 2.5-Inch SATA III Internal SSD (MZ-75E250B/AM) $ 90.99https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OAJ412U/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

HD : Seagate Barracuda 1 TB 7200RPM SATA 32 MB Cache 3.5-Inch Bare Drive - ST31000524AS $ 87.98

Power Supply: Corsair CS Series, CS550M, 550 Watt (550W), Semi Modular Power Supply, 80+ Gold Certified $ 79.99

PC Hackintosh Apple Broadcom BCM94360CD 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac + Bluetooth 4.0 OS X Yosemite 10.10 $ 59.99

Case: BitFenix Micro ATX, Mini-ITX Motherboard Cases BFC-PRM-300-WWWKW-RP White $ 84.49

Monitor: LG - 29" IPS LCD HD 21:9 UltraWide Monitor $ 189.99


For a total of $ 1298.58 including taxes.

I am pretty new to this, but I do not think your motherboard can support your choice of wireless card and a graphics card. There is only one PCIe slot. This post by Stork, #37, should allow for both graphics and wireless.

I would re-think the Zalman cooler. Personally, I prefer Noctua, but the i5 retail boxes usually come with an Intel heatsink & fan assembly.

You could save a little on the CPU, depending on shipping charges. http://www.pricewatch.com/cpu/

If you have a Frys Electronics near you they have a WD 1TB/64MB cache "Blue" HDD for $49.99, on sale, $54.99 when not on sale.

The GA-H170N-WIFI uses horizontal SATA connectors so it could be a problem depending on the case. You'll probably need to install the cables before installing the mobo into the case. Then tie them down afterwards so that they are not strained. The last thing you want to do is to break a SATA connector. Be very gentle and cautious when installing cables.

The BitFenix case pictures on Amazon confuse me. The "empty" pictures show that a power supply installs under the mobo but the "full" pictures show the PSU mounted sideways. WTHeck?

Did you read all the case reviews?, starting from the negative and working your way up to the positives?

Have you considered an alternate case, like the Phanteks?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U8625HC/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

kiiroaka said:

The BitFenix case pictures on Amazon confuse me. The "empty" pictures show that a power supply installs under the mobo but the "full" pictures show the PSU mounted sideways. WTHeck?

Did you read all the case reviews?, starting from the negative and working your way up to the positives?

Have you considered an alternate case, like the Phanteks?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U8625HC/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Click to expand...

I believe the differences in the picture are micro ATX vs mini ITX.

Thanks. You're absolutely right. I went to the BitFenix website and the micro-ATX case is the one with the side mounted PSU.

But I would never buy a case where the USB ports are on the side.

The Phantek case would be the one to buy if one wants to install the ASUS ITX mobo where the m.2 SATA connector is on the back of the mobo.

kiiroaka said:

Thanks. You're absolutely right. I went to the BitFenix website and the micro-ATX case is the one with the side mounted PSU.

Click to expand...

No problem. I ordered a BitFenix Phenom yesterday and was watching reviews, thats the only way I knew!

ichris93 said:

No problem. I ordered a BitFenix Phenom yesterday and was watching reviews, thats the only way I knew!

Click to expand...

That's a nice case I love mine. Did you go with the white or black one? Mini-ITX or Micro ATX?

VoiletDragon said:

That's a nice case I love mine. Did you go with the white or black one? Mini-ITX or Micro ATX?

Click to expand...

It looks very nice online. Black, mini-ITX. Price jumped on Amazon after I ordered it too.

ichris93 said:

It looks very nice online. Black, mini-ITX. Price jumped on Amazon after I ordered it too.

Click to expand...

That's typical of Amazon tbh. Nice one. Mines the Micro ATX version which is white.

ichris93 said:

I am pretty new to this, but I do not think your motherboard can support your choice of wireless card and a graphics card. There is only one PCIe slot. This post by Stork, #37, should allow for both graphics and wireless.

Click to expand...

Thank you for the help, I am pretty new too, my last build was more than 20 years ago when I was a kid to play FIFA lol. Do you think any of these two could solve trhe issue?...

Gigabyte LGA1151 Intel H170 Mini-ITX DDR4 Motherboard GA-H170N-WIFI

Gigabyte LGA1151 Intel Z170 Mini-ITX DDR4 Motherboard GA-Z170N-WIFI