GA-B75M-HD3 Build

[dietgoke]

How does this build look for a first time budget build?
Motherboard: GA-B75M-HD3
CPU: Intel Celeron G1610 or Intel Core i3 3245
Graphics: Asus GT610-SL-2GD3-L or Integrated HD 4000 Graphics
Ram:Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB)
Case/PSU: Anything reasonable on Newegg
HDD: I have many at home



Thanks, dietgoke

 

[Adrian B]

How does this build look for a first time budget build?
Motherboard: GA-B75M-HD3
CPU: Intel Celeron G1610 or Intel Core i3 3245
Graphics: Asus GT610-SL-2GD3-L or Integrated HD 4000 Graphics
Ram:Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB)
Case/PSU: Anything reasonable on Newegg
HDD: I have many at home

Hi dietgoke,

As you can see from my details, I am running with a GA-B75M-HD3, G2020 & GT520. I was given the GT520 by a friend, so did not pay for it. If I was making the same buying decisions today that I made back in May then I would have gone with the i3 CPU with HD4000.

The GT610 is the newer version of the GT520, performance is roughly on par with HD3000 - so laptop graphics, which is fine for simple tasks. HD4000 is getting a further 25% boost in memory allocation in 10.8.5 (release due within days)

The G1610 processor runs at 2 x 2.6 GHz, the i3-3245 runs at 2 x 3.4 GHz. So the CPU is much more powerful (longer useful working life) and has better graphics than even the GT620 can probably muster. The cost difference is pretty slim - especially if you are looking to keep this for 4-5 years.

Summary - Go for the i3-3245!

I was going to recommend this case as its compact, yet simple. Newegg are out of stock.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B0074V2UXI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=tonymacx86com-20


Adrian B

 

[dietgoke]

Hi dietgoke,

As you can see from my details, I am running with a GA-B75M-HD3, G2020 & GT520. I was given the GT520 by a friend, so did not pay for it. If I was making the same buying decisions today that I made back in May then I would have gone with the i3 CPU with HD4000.

The GT610 is the newer version of the GT520, performance is roughly on par with HD3000 - so laptop graphics, which is fine for simple tasks. HD4000 is getting a further 25% boost in memory allocation in 10.8.5 (release due within days)

The G1610 processor runs at 2 x 2.6 GHz, the i3-3245 runs at 2 x 3.4 GHz. So the CPU is much more powerful (longer useful working life) and has better graphics than even the GT620 can probably muster. The cost difference is pretty slim - especially if you are looking to keep this for 4-5 years.

Summary - Go for the i3-3245!

I was going to recommend this case as its compact, yet simple. Newegg are out of stock.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B0074V2UXI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=tonymacx86com-20


Adrian B

Did you have any problems with the motherboard or was it completely compatible?
And what PSU would you reccommend?

 

[Adrian B]

Did you have any problems with the motherboard or was it completely compatible?
And what PSU would you reccommend?

The motherboard seems to be completely compatible. I don't have any USB3 devices to test the USB3 sockets. The only USB2 devices that seem to work in USB3 sockets are Bluetooth adaptors on a lot of builds anyway.

Audio works fine
Ethernet works fine

Its a compact board so does not require a large case
It has only one sata 3 socket which is fine for a SSD, HDDs don't run to the limits of sata 2 anyway and it has plenty of sata 2 ports
Its a cheap board to buy

I can thoroughly recommend this board.


Adrian B

 

[dietgoke]

2

 

[dietgoke]

Adrian --

Do you know if there is compatibility for dual displays and how the configuration would work? And would the"Inland Gold Series ILG-400-2 400 Watt" power supply be good enough for that configuration?

Thanks, dietgoke

 

[Adrian B]

Adrian --

Do you know if there is compatibility for dual displays and how the configuration would work? And would the"Inland Gold Series ILG-400-2 400 Watt" power supply be good enough for that configuration?

Dual displays is supported in 10.8.4, use a CPU with HD4000 the motherboard connections that you will need to use are the DVI-D and HDMI sockets. The VGA socket does not work in OSX and a DVI to VGA adaptor will not work either. The power supply you listed looks as if it will do you just fine for this build.

Edit - if you used a graphics card like a GT620 then can also use two displays.

Adrian B

 

[dietgoke]

Dual displays is supported in 10.8.4, use a CPU with HD4000 the motherboard connections that you will need to use are the DVI-D and HDMI sockets. The VGA socket does not work in OSX and a DVI to VGA adaptor will not work either. The power supply you listed looks as if it will do you just fine for this build.

Edit - if you used a graphics card like a GT620 then can also use two displays.

Adrian B

Thanks, what is your audio setup like?

 

[Adrian B]

Thanks, what is your audio setup like?

This computer is used mainly for web and office type duties. I am using the standard audio out jack to a pair of powered monitor speakers that I have had for the best part of 20 years now. The only audio played is a bit of radio via the internet and some YouTube videos. I have an external USB DAC that connects from another system to a high quality audio system which sounds much better. That system is used in another room though.

Adrian B

 

[dietgoke]

This computer is used mainly for web and office type duties. I am using the standard audio out jack to a pair of powered monitor speakers that I have had for the best part of 20 years now. The only audio played is a bit of radio via the internet and some YouTube videos. I have an external USB DAC that connects from another system to a high quality audio system which sounds much better. That system is used in another room though.

Adrian B

Adrian--

It worked! -- I got the parts yesterday and spent today putting them together. I got 1 Stick of 8GB DDR3 So I could upgrade later and a 120 GB SSD. The computer loads from the bootloader in less than 5 seconds! Ethernet works, Haven't tested dual monitors, USB 3.0, or audio yet. Though it is confusing, the case looks great. I also got a IO Gear bluetooth adapter, and the range is good, but definitely doesn't reach the 30ft advertised. I only have a couple concerns.

1.) I bought 8GB DDR3 1600 MHz memory -- in 'About this Mac' it is only showing up as 1333 MHz.

2.) There is no HDMI Audio Output -- Is there any way to fix this?

I haven't found any other issues yet, but I've only used it for a couple hours.

Thanks, dietgoke