Parts for Cube mod?

[simengangstad]

Hello folks!

I´m planning a project; reloading a Cube, and I´m in that fase were I´m going to buy parts. I´ve seen many of the other cube-mods here on the forum, but all of them use different parts.

So, two questions:

1) What parts do you recommend?

2) Is it possible to take a Mac Mini (2011 - 2013) motherboard and use that? I really wan´t Thunderbolt or Mini Display Port.

This will be my first mod, so expect some dumb questions.

 

[rick26]

Well have this recommend setup:

Intel DQ77KB Mobo,

Intel® Core™ i3-3225 cpu

130 watt Dell inspiron 9100 adapter.

And the idea with a mac mini mobo, well i'm not surely because than it is just an real mac,


Good luck,

Rick,

 

[simengangstad]

This is the (Mac Mini) motherboard I´m thinking about: http://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-App...951?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4abfc8b9e7

It´s not important that it´s a Hackintosh, my goal is just to reload a Cube.

 

[rick26]

Okay then, i think it will work but i'm not certain how to mount it in the cube,

Rick,

 

[kiwisincebirth]

I would consider purchasing a complete Mac Mini not just the motherboard, primarily so you get all the internal cables that plug into the MB, without these it may be difficult to connect things like cooling fans, HDD, power supply, etc. Apple built the mac mini much like a Laptop, with small propitiatory connectors to save space.

The second thing to consider is size, the cube has outer dimensions of 19.5 x 19.5 x 24.5 cm; The Mini has dimensions of 19.7 x 19.7 x 3.6 cm. The critical element here is that the cube case is slightly smaller. Will the motherboard fit into a cube case? I dont own either of these but it would be wise to confirm if the MB would fit before buying the motherboard.

PS. The motherboard Rick mentions does have Display Port connectivity.

PPS. Have a read if this also

http://www.tonymacx86.com/others/78510-mac-mini-inside-cube-2.html

 

[rossi1959]

The price for that mac mini board is very high for a used part, when you can get a Mini ITX GA-Z77 Wi-Fi motherboard with a 3.3ghz i3 3225 for around $260+post, and with all the builds on this site to choose from for support, would make it much easier, and for a first timer, my build would have to be the simplest in terms of build, and especially software installation, http://www.tonymacx86.com/powermac-g4-cube/89235-g4-cube-z77n-wifi-i3-3225-a.html and for the power supply I would get one of these and rob the PSU from it. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/221005488235?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 this is only my opinion and is entirely up to you, and even though the mini mac board would be entirely native and real, the GA-Z77 with tonymac's and minimacs software comes a very close second to the real deal in it's functionality. Cheers, and happy modding. Rossi.