erik's future build: Core i3-2125 - GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 - 8GBRAM

[erik]

erik's Build - Core i3-2125 - GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 - 8GB RAM - Intel 3000

Gigabyte Intel Z68 Micro ATX LGA 1155 Motherboard (GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3) ($118.99)
http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Intel-Micro-Motherboard-GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3/dp/B004ZBHMN8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340735700&sr=8-1&keywords=Gigabyte+Intel+Z68+Micro+ATX+LGA+1155+Motherboard+%28GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3%29

Intel Core i3-2125, 2x 3.30GHz 3.3 2 LGA 1155 Processor ($147.99)
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i3-2125-3-30GHz-Processor-BX80623I32125/dp/B005L9D5X4/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1340735756&sr=1-1&keywords=%22Intel+Core+i3-2125%2C+2x+3.30GHz+3.3+2+LGA+1155+Processor+%28BX80623I32125%29%22

G.SKILL 8GB (2 x 4GB) Ripjaws X Series DDR3 1600MHz 240-Pin PC3-12800 Desktop Memory F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL ($54.99)
http://www.amazon.com/G-SKILL-Ripjaws-1600MHz-PC3-12800-F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL/dp/B004HZG4ZO/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1340735807&sr=1-1&keywords=G.SKILL+8GB+%282+x+4GB%29+Ripjaws+X+Series+DDR3+1600MHz+240-Pin+PC3-12800+Desktop+Memory+F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL

Mushkin Chronos 120 GB SATA 6.0 Gb-s 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive ($92.99)
http://www.amazon.com/Mushkin-Chronos-2-5-Inch-Solid-MKNSSDCR120GB/dp/B005CGFU4I/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1340735848&sr=1-1&keywords=Mushkin+Chronos+120+GB+SATA+6.0+Gb-s+2.5-Inch+Solid+State+Drive+%28MKNSSDCR120GB%29

Mini PCI-E to PCI-E Wireless Card w/ 3 Antennas ($5.99) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005Q751BA/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

Apple Macbook A1181 BCM94321MC Wireless Card 802.11b/g/n Original ($12.34)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/280876922261?ss ... 1497.l2649

Already Owned

Apple OS X Lion @ Mac App Store ($29.99)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/os-x-lio ... 3913?mt=12

Antec New Solution NSK2480 Black/Silver 0.8mm cold-rolled steel MicroATX Desktop Computer Case 380W Power Supply ($117.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129034

Toshiba - 46" Class - LCD - 1080p - 120Hz - HDTV ($699.99)
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba+-+4 ... 294&loc=01

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM (Discontinued)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive (Discontinued)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

Logitech Wireless Desktop MK320 Keyboard/Mouse Combo ($27.99)
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-Desktop-MK320-Keyboard/dp/B003VAGXZC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1340736017&sr=8-4&keywords=logitech+m320

Comments:

I'm a former high school teacher/current graduate student. When I was teaching, I taught a course called Information Technology in a Global Society for the IB program. The purpose of the course was to teach kids IT basics and discuss how technologies fit into and effect the social world. One year, I used building a computer from the ground up in class as a lesson an excuse to build a computer. Running Windows 7, this computer has for 3 years served admirably as a media center hooked up to a TV for my fiancee and I. It still works fine.

In any event, I got the itch to build a new Hackintosh (I currently have an X58A-UD3R/i7 960/12GB/Radeon 5770 that chugs along fine), and realized that for not too much money I could upgrade my media center into something more powerful and more fun.

Scouring Geekbench browser, I saw that the current i3s with Intel HD 3000 support can clock 7500+ on the 64-bit Geekbench test... I think that will be plenty powerful for watching NetFlix and web browsing. I debated between the ITX CustomMac Mini board Tony suggests (for $80) and a slightly more robust MicroATX board that can handle more RAM and SATA III 6gbs for less than $40 more. 8GB of RAM should be fine. Chose PC-1600 because it's only a few bucks more than PC-1333 and supported by the board. Finally, I debated whether to go for an SSD or not. First thought I'd just go for a $70 Corsair 60GB drive. Then saw that I could spend $25 more and get a 120GB Mushkin drive that performs well. The reliability looks a little sketchier than the Corsair drive, but overall reviews are good and this system isn't Mission Critical, so I took the gamble. That will let me dual boot Windows 7 and OS X with room to spare. Vroom! I'll keep the old 1TB 7200RPM drive around for file storage.

I also decided to pick up a couple PCI cards and Airport Chipsets to make some custom Airport cards for my old Hackintosh and the new one. Even though I'll be using Ethernet primarily, it's nice to have Wifi and the price was right. Looking forward to getting rid of the terrible Wireless utility I currently use on my i7 Hack too.

Decided not to buy a "auto sleep" OOB enabled DVD drive and just to stick with the old one. I'll try to hack it and if I *really* need auto sleep, I'll go for a Bluray drive

Grand total was around $450. The parts are in the mail. Watch this space for future updates, pictures, and commentaries on the build process.

I'd also like to hear any suggestions from the Tonymac community before the new parts arrive and I tear about the old computer! Particularly:

1. Does anyone have any experience with a 380W power supply on a similar machine? I can't imagine it would need more power.

2. Any tips on how to get the HD 3000 graphics going without a hitch on this build?

 

[Gordo74]

1. Does anyone have any experience with a 380W power supply on a similar machine? I can't imagine it would need more power.

2. Any tips on how to get the HD 3000 graphics going without a hitch on this build?

Looks like a good build.

1) 380w is plenty. I have the same setup on a 150W Pico PSU and that is enough.
2) Nothing. It works perfectly out of the box with the newest tools.

 

[erik]

1. Does anyone have any experience with a 380W power supply on a similar machine? I can't imagine it would need more power.

2. Any tips on how to get the HD 3000 graphics going without a hitch on this build?

Looks like a good build.

1) 380w is plenty. I have the same setup on a 150W Pico PSU and that is enough.
2) Nothing. It works perfectly out of the box with the newest tools.

Thanks!! Fiancee gave me a little grief because I should put this $$ to the wedding... I'll just have to convince her that she benefits from the nicer build and that a happy Erik will be a happy spouse...

 

[erik]

Apple Macbook A1181 BCM94321MC Wireless Card 802.11b/g/n Original ($12.34)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/280876922261?ss ... 1497.l2649

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner - OEM (Discontinued)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187

If you haven't already purchased the BCM94321MC card, you should consider getting the BCM94322MC instead - it's a newer model, and is supposed to provide better connections and throughput. Other than that and the Samsung DVD drive (versus a Sony), your build looks nearly identical to mine.

You shouldn't have any problems getting the system going with the HD 3000 graphics (though HDMI audio can be a little tricky, but not too difficult, if you are going that route). And the 380W PS should be plenty for that system.

Don't plan on using HDMI... currently have DVI to HDMI to the TV, and then a digital audio out from the TV to the Receiver. Don't feel like buying another cable and troubleshooting. Maybe if I get bored.

As far as the Network cards, I was able to pick up an Apple branded BC94321MC for $14 on eBay. The BC94322MC seems to run around 3 times that right now. Doesn't really seem worth it given that this machine will run through Ethernet and the other only really uses the net connection for Internet. (I have an Airport Express, but only use the network backup for my laptop. In the Hack, I use a 3.5" HDD).

Thanks for the advice! Looking forward to the parts coming this way