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2010 HacMini - Intel DH61AG i3-3225 - Mac Mini Casemod

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I had a similar though re: new minis. It'd be interesting if they used something like the NUC, with i5/i7 and HD5200 iGPU. Gigabyte are doing it with the Brix and Brix Pro - which look really awesome btw. But yeah, Apple TV size i7 mac would be difficult to ignore. I guess this is a topic for another thread... :p

I'll have to have look in the BIOS again for more fan controls, but as I mentioned before, the mobo doesn't seem to be getting the right temp and fan speeds from the CPU, so it mighnot make a difference
 
All interesting stuff! :).

Check intels website for any bios update files; maybe there is a patch for the temperature issue? My experience with intel boards has not been that great, only a select few 775 boards were GOOD, the newer socket motherboards have some issues that they fixed through bios updates.

Something to maybe check? Looking forward to see what more you can do with this, or what other changes you'll end up making

Maybe can find someone to create a pin-out for the OEM IO Shield (minus thunderbolt)
 
Inserting the board - fits well...

You may have a look at this IO shield.

T2iDKrXg8aXXXXXXXX_!!67768436.jpg

Sold by IceMan at Taobao.
He is selling a complete solution for Intel DH61AG too. (MB-, HDD-tray, heatpipe cooling, IO-shield)
"Intel DH61AG,DN2800MT,DQ77KB,微步H61AG,E350,D525"
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm...113&pvid=87a388b3-7512-4b6d-a90f-3ebec54c86a2


For reference: Ice Man's build log
http://www.chiphell.com/thread-240768-1-1.html


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Some poeple said it's difficult to make a contact with the guy.

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/to...quad-core-hack-mini-hackintosh-for-under-400/

 
Ok, so to sum up... this is a great case for this board. Fits well, the ports at the back look like they should be there and overall it does feel more like an Apple product than any Hacintosh I've used. But I'm not totally satisfied with that heatsink and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions.

Mainly due to the fact the mount it screws into doesn't fit in the case, means that it doesn't really screw in properly. I'd also prefer something that doesn't protrude out the bottom of the case, but this was the lowest profile heatsink I could find (23mm). Aparently this CPU can run ok in a fanless chasis, so I'm thinking maybe a laptop cooler would work better - more like the real MacMini. Again, I've seen a few posts on this site linking to suggestions, but the links don't go to current listings. :|

Anyone have any tips? :D
WOW quite a build you have have here, thanks for taking the time to write it up.

I am no stranger to building thin, and keeping it cool. My "Self Build" uses a i3-3225 on a Intel DQ77KB (DH61AG upgrade) and is the the footprint of the new Mac Mini, with the height of old Mac Mini, but I did manage to get a DVD and 2.5" HDD in there as well.

Firstly I would like to suggest a different cooler either the Dynatron K199 or K2. These are 13-14mm high excluding the 15mm fan that sits on top.

http://www.dynatron-corp.com/en/product_detail_1.aspx?cv=1-4-281&id=191&in=0
http://www.dynatron-corp.com/en/product_detail_1.aspx?cv=1-4-281&id=227&in=0

Secondly I would suggest a side mounted laptop fan that blows across (and through) the heatsink. A MacbookPro fan is easily obtainable on eBay, and perfect for this job

Thirdly, (assuming you can make all this fit) Is to channel the hot airflow away from the heatsink, and out of the case using thin cardboard. Anything you can do to prevent recirculation of hot air will lower temps, and allow you to run the fan slower.

Here is my build log where I describe this cooling approach, but using a slightly larger Dynatron heatsink. Look on the first page Post 4 and 7 and beyond.
http://www.tonymacx86.com/others/90651-g4-cube-inspired-self-build.html

I have also put tougher a thread about how to wire the MacBookPro fan to a normal motherboard
http://www.tonymacx86.com/hardware-parts/94545-macbook-pro-unibody-fan-conversion.html

I have also put together a thread about low profile CPU coolers, have a look here.
http://www.tonymacx86.com/hardware-parts/103860-low-profile-cpu-coolers.html

And if you want to see how my build turned out here is the final writeup
http://www.tonymacx86.com/completed-mods/105167-g4-cube-inspired-self-build-completed.html

Would be interested to see what you think of this idea

Kiwi
 
I like where this guy is going with this customization... Love the removable motherboard tray, However think we could have someone here in the states re-create it.


You may have a look at this IO shield.

View attachment 82165

Sold by IceMan at Taobao.
He is selling a complete solution for Intel DH61AG too. (MB-, HDD-tray, heatpipe cooling, IO-shield)
"Intel DH61AG,DN2800MT,DQ77KB,微步H61AG,E350,D525"
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm...113&pvid=87a388b3-7512-4b6d-a90f-3ebec54c86a2


For reference: Ice Man's build log
http://www.chiphell.com/thread-240768-1-1.html


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Some poeple said it's difficult to make a contact with the guy.

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/to...quad-core-hack-mini-hackintosh-for-under-400/

 
ah yes, Good ole' frozenCPU ;)

To the builder -- any updates on this?
 
Haha - that's so funny!

What's even funnier is I've taken the mobo out of the Mac Mini coz the cooler noise was driving me nuts. I've currently stuck the board to the back of the monitor and put the Intel cooler back on - it's exponentially quieter and is controlled properly by the OS.

I'll keep looking for a better cooler tho. I'm gonna have a look through the links that have been kindly posted and see what I can do. I also had a thought to replace the mobo with a NUC, or one of the Gigabyte Brix boards, but I don't currently have the cash.

I will be back to update this post - I want to see it through to the end, but I want something that's gonna work well. For the minute it's in an R&D phase. The NUC/Brix have the new gen Iris iGPUs, which is definitely attractive. Fixes the cooler issue and gives it a bit of a spec bump!

For now though, I still think this is a great board for this build - only let down for me is the cooling situation.
 
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