I've been following this thread for a little while now and finally created an account so I can ask some Q's. Very nicely done to everyone who has contributed to the cause! Brings back memories of when I custom built Windows PC's and modded cases. Been using laptops only for the past 7 years, with the exception of my Windows Home Server (now a temporary HTPC), which was replaced with a Seagate BlackArmor 440 NAS (4 X 1Tb hd's for 2.68Tb of usable RAID 5 storage).
The DH61AG is getting along in age, as computer components do, and I have found a replacement board that looks interesting. It's the
Intel DQ77KB (
Newegg Link - has better pictures). My target case is a
Habey EMC-800S, with an Intel
i7 3770S Ive Bridge @ 3.1ghz or an
i5 2405S Sandy Bridge @ 2.5Ghz, an
Intel 525 series Lincoln Crest 120Gb mSATA SSD (has very low power consumption). Both of the processors are 65w and are listed on Intels website as being compatible with the board.The only other component would be a slot load internal slim Blu-Ray drive (haven't decided on which one yet). There are some new heat pipe low profile coolers that will fit nicely into the case & a slim drive. Having an mSATA SSD will also free up some valuable real estate inside the case. The EMC-800S comes with a 120w internal power supply and an external brick, but I will have to replace it as it is only 60w.
Please check out the motherboard. I need opinions (and, if I do this, lots of help as I am new to Macs, and very new to modifying OS X). What are your (everyones) opinions of this board and probability of getting OS X 10.8.2 running on it? Or would I just be better off getting a Mac Mini and an external Blu-Ray drive? Or one of the suggest boards from the buyers guide?
I know from the standpoint of "ease of use" the Mini would be the way to go. No fuss setup, and it will run right out of the box. BUT... the custom build would be a bit more powerful. Anyhow, whichever way I go you may have found another board you can tinker with.
TY,
PsycoGeek