ades' mini: GA-Z77N | 3570K | Node 304

[adesva]

ades' mini "Brando" : GA-Z77N | 3570K | Node 304 | HD4000 (Success)

Stationary/HTPC: "Brando" GA-Z77N | 3570K | Node 304 | 2x4GB Vengeance LP | 128GB S 830
​

Components

Intel Core i5-3570K 3,4GHz Socket 1155
[AMAZON-uk]http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007RUZKK6/[/AMAZON-uk]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

Gigabyte GA-Z77N-WIFI mITX
[AMAZON-uk]http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009GB87N6/[/AMAZON-uk]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128568

Corsair Vengeance 2x4GB DDR3 1600MHz
[AMAZON-uk]http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004CRSM4I/[/AMAZON-uk]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186

Samsung 830 128GB SATA-3
[AMAZON-uk]http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005OK6VJU/[/AMAZON-uk]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147137

Western Digital Caviar Green WD20EARX 2TB 5400RPM 64MB SATA-3
[AMAZON-uk]http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004VFJ9MK/[/AMAZON-uk]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136891

Fractal Design Node 304 Black
[AMAZON-uk]http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009PIEMUC/[/AMAZON-uk]
N/A at newegg - company website

Corsair CX v.2 430W Builder series
[AMAZON-uk]http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0045Y1EI4/[/AMAZON-uk]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026

Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion - via USB-stick
http://www.apple.com/osx/

Run with AOC i2353, Logitech K800 and Logitech Anywhere MX
K800: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126194
Anywhere MX: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104320


Comments

The machine will serve as my stationary as well as replace my current NAS and media player. My NAS was a cheaper ****ty model which recently broke down, and the media player just feels to slow, even though it's worked wonders for it's cost.

Components were chosen to be as cheap as possible without making me feel disappointed; thus, I left room for upgrade. Tempting alternatives included 3770K, ASUS P8Z77-I, 16GB RAM, WD Red and a graphics card, but I settled for this setup.
Later add-ons include graphics card, working WIFI/BT** and water cooling.

The only negative thing abt these components is that apparently u cannot change the VCore on Z77N, so it's not recommended for those who want to OC strongly.


**I don't quite need it right now, so I'll wait for a stable card with both WLAN and BT working.


Assembly and specs



It was a bit hard to fit everything inside the case as it's so small, but it worked out pretty decent using the hard drive slots to bulk up cables and help air flow. First assemble mobo and put it in, then PSU and last hard drives.
The 4-point 12V cable for this PSU is snapped together w another 4-pointer to form a 8-point outlet. Just tear it apart.

As you might have figured already, I'm running on cabled network.
CPU is at 3.8GHz and RAM at 1800MHz ([email protected]). I'm running all case supplied fans on low RPM, and none of them is being used as system fan atm. Temp is usually around 50-55 deg C at boot. Have run prime95 for at least 12h w/o crash (no monitoring tho).
Temps reach max 75 deg C when running prime95 (2 windows, priority 1).

Samsung 830 measures roughly 315/480 WR using Blackmagic Disk Speed Test (App store). TRIM does not improve results.

Use UniBeast to make a bootable USB w Mountain Lion, boot from USB then run MultiBeast as soon as u hit OS X. I recommend rebooting at this time to make sure it's working. U have to boot using USB-drive until u've added a bootloader (chimaera).

OC RAM is easily made by changing the profile on them (they're set to 1333MHz OOB).


MultiBeast and performance



Comments:

• MultiBeast might not work at times. Try installing one "option" at a time. At other times it's helped out wiping/reinstalling.
• Ethernet might work w both Lnx and Realtek, I recommend starting out w Lnx. If it doesn't work out, sw to Realtek.
• HD 4000 graphics bug may appear, but in my case it was solved by plugging in secondary screens (at other times I strongly recommend dta's thread).
• Don't forget to add 1080p in MultiBeast if u need it. After each use of MB (Otherwise u wont see what u're doing after reboot)!
• If you get 'boot0 - GPT test test error booting' up, don't panic. Boot up using the USB and reinstall chimera.
• When and if installing HWMonitor, make sure to install first the DSDT or what have you, and then FakeSMC + plugins. Extracheck the .kext to make sure it's looking OK and repair permissions afterwards (before reboot). E.g. using Chameleon SSD Optimizer.

Working:

• Ethernet, both outlets.
• Keyboard and mouse (Logitech K800 + Anywhere MX) ran smoothly natively. Logitech software for Anywhere MX helped make use of all functions. K800 cannot be altered tho.
• USB2.0 works both for storage and, as you realise from bullet above, for other devices.
• USB3.0 works for other devices (mouse+keyboard).
• Sleep works.
• Back audio works via AUX (3.5mm).
• Two screens (dual HDMI) works. Both extended screen as well as mirroring.
• DVI works (Tried by fungusfeet88).
• GB ethernet works (Tried by fungusfeet88).
• Optical audio works (Tried by fungusfeet88).

Problems:

• HDMI audio does not work. (*Might work acc to some info, will try its properly soon.)
• Front AUX does not work (3.5mm).
• WIFI and BT does not work. (Possible to replace card for working WIFI and use BT on USB.)
• USB2.0 storage device does not work on USB3.0 outlets.

Have yet to try: USB3.0 storage, autosleep, 3 screens, 2 screens (HDMI+DVI). Also need to confirm working speedstep (works for BitterMelon so should work for me as well).

32-bit GeekBench: http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench2/1250712
Got HWMonitor to work. (I don't think we can trust the Ambient-temp.)

Picture taken w at normal usage.



Update 3/11: Changed MultiBeast picture.
Update 5/11: New clock frequencies (+ updated gb-score) and added info from fungusfeet88.
Update 6/11: Got HWMonitor to work, added temperatures and more info on SSD.

 

[adesva]

If you're reading this thread and this is the first post, come back at a later time. My OP disappears after updates.
See Stork's post for more information: http://www.tonymacx86.com/user-builds/78663-notice-about-your-post-disappearing.html

Whoever, how do I try speedstep simply and easily?
Also, anyone w similar systems who've tried using the mac mini system def?

 

[BitterMelon]

Nice build!

Whoever, how do I try speedstep simply and easily?
Also, anyone w similar systems who've tried using the mac mini system def?

My build speedstepped OOB, so so should yours. Easiest way to check is either using MSRDumper, or installing FakeSMC and HWMonitor through Multibeast.

 

[adesva]

Nice build!


My build speedstepped OOB, so so should yours. Easiest way to check is either using MSRDumper, or installing FakeSMC and HWMonitor through Multibeast.

Thank you, overlapped quite a bit w yours, so I would have to say the same

Yes, I've been trying to install FakeSMC for this (and other) purpose(s), but it's given me a world of trouble. Each time OS X hangs at the boot logo. I looked through the .kext and it looks a bit broken; it only contains the Plugin-folder and nothing else.

BTW, have u tried or have u considered trying changing the sys def to mini? I decided to use iMac 12,2 after reading your build.

 

[adesva]

*

 

[fungusfeet88]

Same case, board and processor.
The optical audio out does work.
DVI works as does Gigabit Ethernet.

Your temps are a lot higher than mine, with the stock fan the cores were reading low 30s, prime95 was reaching 80. I have since got an adapter and fitted my old zalman cnps9700 and the temps are in the upper 20s at idle and high 60s after about 15 minutes of prime95.

(my system def is mac mini, does it make a difference to anything?)

 

[adesva]

Same case, board and processor.
The optical audio out does work.
DVI works as does Gigabit Ethernet.

Your temps are a lot higher than mine, with the stock fan the cores were reading low 30s, prime95 was reaching 80. I have since got an adapter and fitted my old zalman cnps9700 and the temps are in the upper 20s at idle and high 60s after about 15 minutes of prime95.

(my system def is mac mini, does it make a difference to anything?)

What clock freq are u using? I'm at 3.8GHz w RAM at 1800MHz ([email protected]) which prob raises my temp quite a bit (I've also raised the turbos marginally). I've ran prime95 for 12h w/o any problems, but as I have yet to fix HWMonitor I cannot say exactly which temperatures I'm reaching. If I reboot quickly after intense drive it stays at top 55 deg C tho.

Mac mini def shouldnt change anything, according to BitterMelon speedster works just fine (if u run verbose u'll see an error, but it doesn't mean anything).

Thanks for update on DVI etc!

 

[Wolfie81]

Was getting sleep to work a ootb experience or took some tinkering?

 

[adesva]

Was getting sleep to work a ootb experience or took some tinkering?

OOTB. Autosleep does not work OOTB but will try to make it work briefly. (First HDMI audio + HWMonitor tho.)
Screen turns off and I think harddrives do as well, but power stays on. Tried it using 1min setting i power save settings w wake on LAN off.


Edit: tried autosleep.

 

[bbtprod]

Problems:

• HDMI audio does not work. (*Might work acc to some info, will try its properly soon.)

Hy, For HDMI audio work :

Install Z77n DSDT.

And
In chameleon.org.Boot.plist, don't add the following:

<key>device-properties</key>
<string>7f0000000100000001000000730000000200000002 010c00d041030a000000000101060000027fff04002c000000 4100410050004c002c00690067002d0070006c006100740066 006f0072006d002d0069006400000008000000050062011400 00006800640061002d0067006600780000000d0000006f6e62 6f6172642d31</string>
<key>Graphics Mode</key>
<string>1920x1080x32</string>.

If you have a problem when boot into OSX just add this :
<key>Graphics Mode</key>
<string>1920x1080x32</string> [adjust to your resolution].

Sorry for my Frenglish language .