First Mac mini build

[tomcat7810]

Starting my Mac mini build and I wanted to base it off of the recommended Mac mini build. I also wanted to know the difference between the i3 dual core and th i5 dual core in the real Mac mini. Also since I may want to do some gaming I thought about using this as my build.

CPU: Intel Core i5-2400
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H67N-USB3-B3
RAM: CORSAIR 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 
Case + Power Supply Unit: silverstone sg05bb 450watt
Graphics card:cheap hd6850 (whatever one you guys recommend)

I have a slim drive and hdd that I can use already.

Also I want this to be very reliable.
What you guys think?

 

[ijhu]

As alternative option for cost cutting, you can do this.
-SWAP CPU for the one what support HD3000
-Avoid purchase of external dedicated video card. (6850)

 

[tomcat7810]

The hd3000 graphics don't seem to be that great on gaming though?

 

[tomcat7810]

? Anyone

 

[hacman]

want games go for hack pro not mini , i have xfx hd 6850 znfc works great on lion and win7

 

[tomcat7810]

Yea I just wanted to build it in the small for factor because I am a college student and it will be getting moved in and out alot. But yea I basically wanted to know what you guys think about that kind of build? And recommendations ?

 

[poetkingtn]

Re: First Mac mini build (Micro)

Yea I just wanted to build it in the small for factor because I am a college student and it will be getting moved in and out alot. But yea I basically wanted to know what you guys think about that kind of build? And recommendations ?

I built a bigger Mini, used the Micro ATX board - GB H55 -USB and a Micro case. I used the Silver Stone case and 450 WATT power supple. I bought the extra cross over fan for the case as well. The Micro ATX board and 2 PCIe and 2 PCI slots and will fit 4 RAM sticks versus two on the mini. With a 120 SSD and a 1TB SATA it was about 900 most of the parts from Amazon or New Egg. I had a spare DVD writer around and went with 2gig x 4 ram for a start. I will upgrade the video card to something better soon. Still have a free 3.5 internal and a 5.25 in the front. I just double sided foam taped the SSD to the inside of the case.

The GB H55 USB3 has a F11 ROM in it, the F7 from the Mini board seemed to have worked.

Not as small as the mini but better cooling features and you can run a vid card that requires extra power if needed.

 

[tomcat7810]

I mean I have seen a lot of nice gaming computers built in the silverstone sg05 because it has the 450watt power supply and it can fit the dual slot card? thats what I liked about that case it keeps it small but allows for some graphics. So I know it can all fit in there but I just don't really know how reliable that setup would be mainly concerning lion running on it?

 

[tomcat7810]

So what you guys think? I'm pretty stuck on the mini itx build so any recommendations would be great?

 

[ijhu]

You can always stick with your original components. 6850 is a dual slot card..so if your mini ITX case has room then you re fine.
make sure the PCI-Express power source is available from your PSU. 1 connector or 2 connector depends on your VGA card.