Can you build me a mini?

S

Stupid_Newbie

Gawd
Joined
Dec 4, 2005
Messages
671
Hello,

I am in the market for a mac mini. Though im not sure of my overall needs as far as level, just going off impressions I get. I have been trying to hold off for a Ivy refresh, and im just wondering if building a mini equivalent is remotely possible?

Ill answer sticky, and we can go from there...

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Media Server with NAT for storage, light use (web, photos etc). Home automation software server.
2) What's your budget? Around what a mini costs say 11-1200CDN pre tax, post ship.
3) Which country do you live in? Canada
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? The puck (its not really a tower), Motherboard, Ram (if 8GB out of tower dont work, i can spare 8 from tower, 16 is overkill), CPU, PSU, Case
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Possible Gskill Ram, 2x4GB DDR3 1333
6) Will you be overclocking? No need
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? 1920x1080
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC? Anytime, im ordering my HA equiptment, and would like to start playing with it, and programming it for my house build. Though Im not in my home for atleast 8 months. Though I have a lot of programming, and screen building etc to do.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? None really. Reliable, robust, onboard gigabit (but thats pretty standard), maybe USB3 for future proofing.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? No

im not sure what I need honestly as far as power. Though I dont think the base model has me covered with the 2.3 i5. I can upgrade the ram to 8GB (or 16GB unofficially), though im concerned if a 2.3 dual core i5 will cut it for itunes, a few other programs in the background, and HA Software on the VM, along with light internet use from wife. I can go for the mid range, but I dont need the dedicated GPU, though I can go up to a 2.7 i5, again dual core. Though not sure i need the server with the quad core i7 2.0. Though server removes the dedicated graphics. I just dont have enough experience with VM (never had one myself, just co-workers on thier field laptops), so im not sure how they are on resources or CPU.

I plan to run this machine next to current, and leave the current off (as it currently goes 24/7 with itunes open for apple TV), and use a KVM to switch back and forth if needed.

Is it possible to build a mac mini?
 
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If you want to build your own small system, you don't have to spend anywhere near a thousand.

I built a mini-alike last year for around $500, and you can do the same.

Antec ISK 300 - case + 150w psu - $90

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129080

Buy this replacement 80mm fan if you want ultra-low noise (completely silent on low)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608006

Get this i3 2120 if you want the best mix of low power and performance:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115077

Or get the i3-2120T if you want the absolute lowest power consumption.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115094

This Asus motherboard ($110), just because their Fan Xpert software is amazing! Using that I have managed to make the Intel stock cooler silent, even at load (2120T).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131841

Choose any memory you like (8gb = $40-50)

Choose any 2.5" hard drive you like (or go SSD) - starts at about $110

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148529

Total = about $500 before OS.

If you want the equivalent of an AMD Radeon HD 6630M, it's not so hard to find for cheap. But you really don't need that if you're not gaming. This card is significantly faster and only $60-70

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127612

You can spend more for a quad core, but you won't notice the difference for a home media server. The 4 threads of the i3 will give you SMOOTH multitasking and will give you a %30 boost over the Pentium dual-cores when fully-loaded.

This build is great because you can always add a low-profile video card if you decide to repurpose the system, but stock it's quiet, cheap and tiny. And if the two internal 2.5" bays are too little for you, you have two USB 3 ports to plug external drives into.
 
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@Stupid_Newbie - Let's ignore the OS for now and focus on the build.

First, which retailers did you plan on using? (For everyone else, remember that the OP lives in Canada.)

Second, the Mac mini is pretty small. How small do you want this build to be?
 
I have bought from NCIX (current build) and newegg.ca

Im going for quiet, low power, and on the small side. Currently the Raven is pretty big.
 
Stupid_Newbie said:
I have bought from NCIX (current build) and newegg.ca

Im going for quiet, low power, and on the small side. Currently the Raven is pretty big.
Click to expand...

Then my recommendations should fit the bill perfectly (is silent and low-power).

I'm sure you can find every single one of the parts I used on newegg.ca.
 
I notice those I3s list HD2000 onboard, is that enough for the server? I dont see a need for more, I can use this PC to rip movies and game.
 
Stupid_Newbie said:
I notice those I3s list HD2000 onboard, is that enough for the server? I dont see a need for more, I can use this PC to rip movies and game.
Click to expand...

PLENTY for a server.

You can even play Source games smoothly at 720p medium on HD 2000, should you get the urge.
 
So as i grow even more impacient for a mini refresh, and start looking at it, it makes more sense to go this route. Is there a reason not to go ivy? Is it heat? Cost?
 
Overkill? All of the dual-core processors are currently Sandy Bridge. Then again, one of the i5 quad-cores would help with the ripping and gaming. And Ivy Bridge runs lower (wattage) at stock speeds.

Your preference(s) for the case is the only thing we don't really know at this point.
 
I just like clean looking cases. Obviously the smaller the better. A few cases that caught my eye (only looking at mitx cases of course)
-Bitfenix Prodigy mITX (in white almost looks like a small MacPro)
-Fractal Design Array R2
-above recommended case


I dont plan to use the mini for gaming or ripping. Infact i doubt it will even get a disc drive (ill borrow the towers for install). All non system files/applications will be stored on my NAS. So storage space isnt an issue, or concern.

My plan is to have both PCs at the same desk, and run a KVM to my current keyboard, monitor, and mouse. The mini will be for automation/itunes etc hosting. And will be on 24/7. This is why the mini attracted me, with a 11-14W draw at idle. This way i dont have to idle my gaming PC. Though im sure for surfing, or quick stuff, I wont fire up the gaming PC, ill just use the minish PC.
 
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Id consider any but the habey 800, I'm definitely going DVD-less. This PC won't have the power to rip blu-rays efficiently. I'd rather use the 2500k @ 4.6-4.7ghz. It's pretty quick.

I like the prodigy, but the more I look the more it's a matx case really.

Is there a best case of those for quiet cooling? I'd like it silent or near silent.
I may have to order this out of the us, as I'm having issues finding some of this newegg.com stuff on .ca, or ncix
 
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