- Joined
- May 5, 2013
- Messages
- 10
- Motherboard
- GA-Z77MX-D3H TH
- CPU
- i7 3770K
- Graphics
- HD4000
- Mac
- Classic Mac
- Mobile Phone
Suras Build: GA-Z77MX-D3H TH (rev 1.0), Intel i& 3770K, Silverstone TJ08-E. Thunderbolt + 1440P works!
Components
Apple OS X Lion @ Mac Apps Store
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/os-x-lion/id444303913?mt=12
GIGABYTE GA-Z77MX-D3H TH (rev 1.0) LGA 1155 Intel Z77 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008U01RBI
Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770K
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007SZ0EOW
Kingston ValueRAM 1x8GB
Silverstone Tek Micro-ATX Mini-DTX, Mini-ITX Mid Tower Computer Case with Aluminum Front Panel and Steel Body TJ08B-E - Black
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005DDCDH2
SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold ((SS-650KM Active PFC F3)) 650W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004GWYTY6
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan (RR-212E-20PK-R2)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005O65JXI
Already Owned
Crossover 2720MDP GOLD LED 27" 27inch Multi Monitor S-IPS, QHD 2560 x1440 High Resolution, 16:9, 1000 : 1, HDMI, DVI (Dual link), VGA, DP Port, Tilt, Vesa Mount, Built in Speaker
http://amzn.com/B00BJBU6ZS
http://stores.ebay.com/Dream-seller
Seagate GoFlex Thunderbolt Adapter (STAE121)
http://amzn.com/B006P1QWOQ
WD My Book Thunderbolt Duo 6TB External Dual Hard Drive Storage with RAID
http://amzn.com/B006W3ZXJC
Crucial m4 256GB 2.5-Inch (9.5mm) SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Drive CT256M4SSD2
http://amzn.com/B004W2JL2A
Comments
My initial idea was to put together a powerful but quiet system which also would be able to power my monitor at native resolution (1440p) without dedicated graphics. Thunderbolt would also be a plus since I had some peripherals from earlier builds. I was looking at mITX at first but gave it up for two reasons:
- The nice cases were almost as big as the mATX case I ended up with
- A more limited selection of motherboards with the capabilities I wanted
As this was my first build, I tried (but failed…) to stay within the recommended hardware. However the options for mATX boards are quite limited (and boring) so eventually I went for the GA-Z77MX-D3H TH (rev1.0). In the end it worked out perfectly. Everything (audio, LAN, Thunderbolt, miniDP at 1440P) works. Sleep/return from sleep works to but only by manually selecting sleep (not a big issue for me as this is an always on Server).
So if you, like me want these features (Thunderbolt, mDP 1440P) don’t be afraid of using this instead of the recommended boards, it does work!
Note! Based on some discussions in the forums be aware that rev 1.0 (which mine is) works well, while most problems associated with this board are linked to rev 1.1. Im not saying 1.1 doesnt work but more people will know how to get 1.0 work. i.e. Make sure you get 1.0!
its loosely based on tjodolvs hack pro (http://www.tonymacx86.com/user-buil...570-ga-z77mx-d3h-th-16gb-ram-gtx-660ti-5.html).
The system runs ML 10.8.3, perform really well (about 10k in Geekbench at stock, but 4.4 isnt a problem to reach at stock voltage, but haven’t started to play with OC that much yet). All this while still running cool and very (bedroom certified...) quiet.
For installation I followed standard instructions for 5.3, as well as the thread around Tjodolvs Hack Pro mATX.
On components:
Crossover 2720 MDP This monitor has the same LG panel as ATBD and its the only one which has display port interface. There are significantly cheaper variants but they are DVI dual link only and requires a dedicated graphics card, to a total similar cost. However since i dont plan for any usage that requires a potent GPU i rather have a much quiter and more power efficient system using mini DP. The lined seller is one of several offering it on ebay.
GA-Z77MX-D3H TH (rev 1.0) As mentioned above, it drives my 1440P without need for external graphics and works well with thunderbolt drives.
Seasonic 650X: A bit expensive, but extremely quiet. Worthwhile for some.
Silverstone TJ-08-E: A good alternative to the now popular "large" mITX chassis, but fits a mATX. Fits 5 drives easily. Large 180mm fan cools system efficiently, quiet if set to "low setting" and controlled by motherboard.
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Suras
