Mac Mini 2011 build!

[zackmd1]

I wanted to go ahead a start a thread for my new project. I have seen a few threads on the site where in members have done mac mini mods and this inspired me to jump back into the hackintosh world!

For this build I plan on developing various parts that will be 3D printed using a site called shapeways. These parts should include a custom motherboard tray to hold a thin mini itx motherboard, a custom CPU cooler (more on this later), and last but not least a custom case cover (black circle on bottom of mini) that will include ventilation for the case. Once I have verified that these parts actually fit and work I will begin selling them on my shapeways shop. That means that anyone should be able to build their own mac mini hackintosh!

My build specs:

Asus H81T/CSM
Haswell Core i3 4360
16gb DDR3 1600 RAM
Airport wifi & bluetooth card for handoff compatibility
Samsung evo 850 msata 250GB SSD


Some pics below!

Custom motherboard tray is about as far as I have progressed. Design is likely to change for final print.

 

[zackmd1]

More progress today. I increased the thickness of the bottom plate to allow for a bit more room and airflow. I am considering making my own 120mm fan that will suck in air through the grates and exhaust it onto the motherboard and the surrounding components. The air will then exit through the rear of the case in the newly built exhaust vents.

 

[zackmd1]

CPU cooler came in today and surprisingly it looks like it will work without modification! It just barely makes it into the center vent area. (yes I am using a mock up as I do not have the motherboard yet) My plan is to still add a macbook pro fan to provide additional airflow. The idea is to have an air loop where in the macbook pro fan will pull in cooler air and exhaust it toward the front of the case over the ram modules. From there the CPU cooler will pull that air in through the sides of the heatsink and exhaust it toward the rear.

Another small thing to note is that I will be changing motherboards to the Asus H81T/CSM as it is about $70 then the gigabyte option.

CPU Cooler: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005OYEU7G/

 

[maciator]

Hi zackmd1,
Very nice project, I'll folow it with interest.
Which software are you using for the 3d pictures ?

Good luck and thanks for sharing your project with us.

 

[zackmd1]

Thank you for the comments! I am using solidworks 2015 to model all of the necessary parts for this project.


Some more updates!

Both the motherboard tray and bottom plate have been ordered from shapeways! I hope to receive them sometime this week at which point I can really start assembling this hack mini. As it turns out the cpu cooler does need modification as it is to tall when I test fitted it with the actual motherboard on hand. The modification will include removing the fan from the top of the heatsink and using a macbook pro 13 inch fan place on the side to blow directly on the heatsink. From my testing this should actually provide more airflow over the heatsink then OEM as the OEM fan pulls air off of the heatsink instead of blowing air. Much more air movement can be achieved by having the fan blow on the heatsink.

 

[zackmd1]

Updates!!

Well I received everything that I needed today. Unfortunately I found out that my motherboard has a broken CPU pin... As such it will not boot. So now I have started the return process through amazon and reordered with next day delivery. Will hopefully arrive by Friday.

I hope to also receive my shapeways parts by Saturday. If this happens then I should be able to complete my build this weekend!

 

[zackmd1]

It is up and running!!! Got nearly everything working properly tonight with all components on a test bed. My shapeways parts will be arriving tomorrow so that I can start the case assembly! Just a few more minor things to iron out with the install.... Has anyone experienced a graphical glitch on boot up with the white apple logo duplicating itself across the screen? I will be sure to get pictures and post up in the appropriate section.

 

[maciator]

Hi zackmd1, nice job. Please take some photos of your rig ASAP
I have also some graphical glitches while booting, less than 1 second. You'll find informations about the glitches on the forum, but beware while testing some solutions you can break your work. So dont forget to make backups

 

[zackmd1]

Hi zackmd1, nice job. Please take some photos of your rig ASAP
I have also some graphical glitches while booting, less than 1 second. You'll find informations about the glitches on the forum, but beware while testing some solutions you can break your work. So dont forget to make backups

Thanks for the tips! I have that graphical glitch to work out and some bluetooth issues to sort as I am trying to use an AR5B195 half mini card that I pulled from a dead laptop. I might end up going for the a more compatible half mini card in the future.

Recieved my shapeways parts!! The bottom cover is perfect! Twist to lock works as expected. The motherboard tray on the other hand needs some work. The rear IO panel needs some serious redesigning as the ledges interfere with some IO. I will have to make the adjustments and re-order it on shapeways. Tell then I can get this one to work for short term.


Pictures!!

PS: Last picture is my custom CPU cooler.

 

[zackmd1]

More pics...