Would you recommend the CustoMac Mini with an i7?

[dkla]

I would like to build a CustoMac Mini according to the 2011 specs here online (I think they still have the GA-H67N-USB3-B3 motherboards at TigerDirect) but I would like to put in an i7-2600 CPU instead of the i3. Would this be okay, or would you recommend another cuild instead?

Thanks!


PS: Are there any plans for a CustoMac Mini 2012 recommended build?

 

[VeganHipster]

Im sure there will be a 2012 customac mini once a 2012 mini releases. Not much of a reason to do a 2012 one if Ivy Bridge is not out yet.

The i7 will work with the motherboard. I am not sure if that case would have adequate cooling though.

 

[slarsah]

CMM 2011 works perfect with i7 2600k, 3.4ghz. I use it in my CustomacMini 2011. Never had a problem

Geekbench about 11600

 

[Mate94]

I would like to build a CustoMac Mini according to the 2011 specs here online (I think they still have the GA-H67N-USB3-B3 motherboards at TigerDirect) but I would like to put in an i7-2600 CPU instead of the i3. Would this be okay, or would you recommend another cuild instead?

Thanks!


PS: Are there any plans for a CustoMac Mini 2012 recommended build?

You can, just be sure that the CPU is a 2600K.

CustoMac Mini 2012 will come if the HD4000 will work. I think in 2012 Q3.

 

[plexi]

Tried an i7 2600k in that board with an even smaller, one off, case
The H61-USB3 is a simpler, more sorted board (IMO)
It also has a DVI out.
I've tried both.

Ran fine with idle of around 35 to 40 and full load of around 65 to 70.

Most of those ITX boards have quite a lot disabled in the bios so you can't really do any serious OC or (if I remember correctly) even run the ram at 1600, so you may as well put the most powerful CPU you can find in there
No point using an i3 if you're wanting it to fly because you can't OC it!
2600K or 2700K with 8GB of good ram will get you a geekbench of between 12500 and 14000.

Not bad for a tiddler

 

[jleblanc23]

Thanks guys for all these tips. I'm starting a i7 Customac Beast build after my first hackintosh build. Thanks!

J

 

[losthorizonmba]

Thanks for the heads up. A tweaktown review said the same: "The downfall for the H61 chipset (used in the Gigabyte H61N-USB3) is the same as the H67 chipset. Overclocking is really limited to the point where it's almost nonexistent. Instead of pairing the board with a 2500k or 2600k, you'd be better off looking at the non K versions of each."

 

[jester969]

Thanks for the heads up. A tweaktown review said the same: "The downfall for the H61 chipset (used in the Gigabyte H61N-USB3) is the same as the H67 chipset. Overclocking is really limited to the point where it's almost nonexistent. Instead of pairing the board with a 2500k or 2600k, you'd be better off looking at the non K versions of each."

The non-K versions have HD2000 which is not supported unless you pair with a gfx card.

That is why the following can either be put in one for the custom mac mini (HD3000).

i3-2105, i3-2125, i5-2405S, i5-2500K, i7-2600K or i7-2700K.

 

[Stork]

I'm playing with a test bench of my HacCube components. The combo of a H67N-USB3 and i3-2125 using HD 3000 is quite snappy, IMHO. For general purpose computing, I wouldn't go for more than a i5-2500K. Not worth it in this configuration.

However, since you can't get the H67N, I'd wait a month to see if the new Z77 ITX mobos are compatible with OS X.

 

[Mate94]

I'm playing with a test bench of my HacCube components. The combo of a H67N-USB3 and i3-2125 using HD 3000 is quite snappy, IMHO. For general purpose computing, I wouldn't go for more than a i5-2500K. Not worth it in this configuration.

However, since you can't get the H67N, I'd wait a month to see if the new Z77 ITX mobos are compatible with OS X.

Or Z75 or B75 or H77.