Mac Mini purchase?

76ShovelHead · Jan 21, 2013, 08:07 AM

Help!
I'm not sure if I should just get a Mac Mini, since I'll be spending as much..

Mac Mini Dual-Core i5 2.5 GHz w/ 8 GB Ram is $699.

or build a hackintosh with:

Core i3 3225 @ 3.1 GHz w/ 8 GB Ram. This one has hyperthreading.

It would cost $762 since it will be a complete build (LIAN LI A55B Case, PSU, HDD, etc.)

Which would offer the best performance? The Core i3 or i5 Dual Core?

Thanks in advance!

maflynn · Jan 21, 2013, 08:17 AM

I'd say the i5 will have better performance and you may run into issues trying to install OSX on an i3 - correct me if I'm wrong apple has no i3 in their line up so you may have issues with kext compatibility. You'll need to be careful in choosing a motherboard that is compatible as well, not all motherboards are equal

Personally, I'd go with the mini, muss no fuss and it should be faster then then i3

MattZani · Jan 21, 2013, 08:21 AM

Considering the Mini will be faster, quieter, look better and not have any Hackintosh problems, I'm confused why you'd even consider the Hackintosh when it is more expensive? Thought the point of a Hackintosh was cheaper/more powerful?

simsaladimbamba · Jan 21, 2013, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76ShovelHead

Core i3 3225 @ 3.1 GHz w/ 8 GB Ram. This one has hyperthreading.

It would cost $762 since it will be a complete build (LIAN LI A55B Case, PSU, HDD, etc.)

For that amount of money, you could build an i5 quad core or i7 quad core Hackintosh.

76ShovelHead · Jan 21, 2013, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattZani

Considering the Mini will be faster, quieter, look better and not have any Hackintosh problems, I'm confused why you'd even consider the Hackintosh when it is more expensive? Thought the point of a Hackintosh was cheaper/more powerful?

That's exactly what I'm wondering,

The Core i3 is dual core, with hyperthreading, running at 3.1 GHz

as opposed to

The Core i5, also a dual core, without hyperthreading, and running at a slower 2.5 GHz.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by simsaladimbamba

For that amount of money, you could build an i5 quad core or i7 quad core Hackintosh.

At what store? I've only looked on Newegg.

i3 $145

Mobo $120

8GB Ram $52

Case $90

PSU $60

HDD $85

Heatsink $70

GPU $140

$762

simsaladimbamba · Jan 21, 2013, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76ShovelHead

That's exactly what I'm wondering,

The Core i3 is dual core, with hyperthreading, running at 3.1 GHz

as opposed to

The Core i5, also a dual core, without hyperthreading, and running at a slower 2.5 GHz.

The mobile i5 CPU used in the Mac mini does support HT.

Quote:

At what store? I've only looked on Newegg.

i3 $145

Mobo $120

8GB Ram $52

Case $90

PSU $60

HDD $85

Heatsink $70

GPU $140

$762

Sorry, got my currencies confused.
But for 100 to 150 UD more you could get an i5 or i7, an i7 can be had for 260 € nowadays.

76ShovelHead · Jan 21, 2013, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simsaladimbamba

The mobile i5 CPU used in the Mac mini does support HT.

Sorry, got my currencies confused.
But for 100 to 150 UD more you could get an i5 or i7, an i7 can be had for 260 € nowadays.

Ohh lol. You got me excited for a second!

So the i5 does support HT? Now its down to whether I wan a real mac or an impostor.

I suppose I could drop the GPU and get a cheaper heatsink, and use the extra cash for an i7. But then I'll have an HD 4000. Are those any good for Sims 3/GTA IV?

COrocket · Jan 21, 2013, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76ShovelHead

Ohh lol. You got me excited for a second!

So the i5 does support HT? Now its down to whether I wan a real mac or an impostor.

I suppose I could drop the GPU and get a cheaper heatsink, and use the extra cash for an i7. But then I'll have an HD 4000. Are those any good for Sims 3/GTA IV?

I'm not sure about the i5 but the i7 quad does support hyperthreading. Considering that model is $799, it might be easier to spend the $38 extra and just get one from apple. The only thing is you would have to live with the HD4000. The HD4000 is nearly equivalent to an entry level mobile GPU, similar to the Radeon 6630M in the previous generation.

76ShovelHead · Jan 21, 2013, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COrocket

I'm not sure about the i5 but the i7 quad does support hyperthreading. Considering that model is $799, it might be easier to spend the $38 extra and just get one from apple. The only thing is you would have to live with the HD4000. The HD4000 is nearly equivalent to an entry level mobile GPU, similar to the Radeon 6630M in the previous generation.

Yeah, and I guess I'm fine with that (HD 4000).

I'm still considering the Core i5 Mini (I can't really afford the i7, or anything over 750 since I still need to get the monitor)

or

Core i7 3770K HD 4000 w/ 8GB Ram. That'd cost about $750 to build, using parts from the CustoMac Budget ATX build, aside from the case since I already have chosen the LIAN LI A55B.

I'm really not sure if I should get the apple branded hardware or not. Afterall, this wouldn't be my first hackintosh, I am experienced.

I'm very indecisive.

Does the Mac Mini really deliver on the whole experience like an iMac? Either one is going to be paired with a ViewSonic VX2460h.

Oracle1729 · Jan 21, 2013, 02:38 PM

First, I'm a huge fan of hackintoshes for desktops because Apple typically gives you crappy laptop parts in their anorexic desktops, and you can build a fantastic machine in the $1000 range.

But if you're looking at an i3-3225 and that price list, you will be much better off with a mac mini.

For example, I paid less than your heatsink price for a coolermaster water cooler for my i7-3770k based hack. You list $145 for the CPU which sounds about right, but $190 gets you an i5-3450, quad core, 3.2GHz, which will run rings around your i3 and only add $45 to your cost. I'm not sure what video card you have in mind, but for $140, it's overkill and wasted on that i3 CPU. Consider the i5 with the HD 4000 graphics. You'll save $100 now, build a better machine, and you can add a video card in a few months if you want it.

Basically, based on the information you've given and the sort of mix you'd put together. Just buy the mini, sit back, and relax.

COrocket · Jan 21, 2013, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76ShovelHead

Does the Mac Mini really deliver on the whole experience like an iMac? Either one is going to be paired with a ViewSonic VX2460h.

Yes, it does. If you can look past the fact that you are not looking at an apple monitor, the software/visuals are identical to an iMac. I don't know how to better define the "experience". The I/O ports are very similar between the two.

Moonjumper · Jan 21, 2013, 04:07 PM

The price you have for the Mac Mini includes an Apple RAM upgrade. Buy with the standard RAM and upgrade yourself. You will end up with 16GB for less than the 8GB fitted by Apple.

Jan 21, 2013, 08:07 AM	#1
76ShovelHead macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Connecticut	Mac Mini purchase? Help! I'm not sure if I should just get a Mac Mini, since I'll be spending as much.. Mac Mini Dual-Core i5 2.5 GHz w/ 8 GB Ram is $699. or build a hackintosh with: Core i3 3225 @ 3.1 GHz w/ 8 GB Ram. This one has hyperthreading. It would cost $762 since it will be a complete build (LIAN LI A55B Case, PSU, HDD, etc.) Which would offer the best performance? The Core i3 or i5 Dual Core? Thanks in advance! __________________ iBook G4 14" 1.42 1.5GB
	0

Jan 21, 2013, 08:21 AM	#3
MattZani macrumors 68020 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Weymouth, UK	Considering the Mini will be faster, quieter, look better and not have any Hackintosh problems, I'm confused why you'd even consider the Hackintosh when it is more expensive? Thought the point of a Hackintosh was cheaper/more powerful? __________________ Mac Mini 2012 - 2.6Ghz Quad i7, 16Gb RAM, 1Tb HDD 32Gb Black iPhone 5 16Gb Black iPad 3 MDPhotography
	0

Jan 21, 2013, 04:07 PM	#12
Moonjumper macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Lincoln, UK	The price you have for the Mac Mini includes an Apple RAM upgrade. Buy with the standard RAM and upgrade yourself. You will end up with 16GB for less than the 8GB fitted by Apple. __________________ ShootStorm - universal neo-retro iOS shoot-em-up action ShootStorm Survival - free single-life version
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Jan 21, 2013, 08:17 AM	#2
maflynn Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: May 2009 Location: Boston	I'd say the i5 will have better performance and you may run into issues trying to install OSX on an i3 - correct me if I'm wrong apple has no i3 in their line up so you may have issues with kext compatibility. You'll need to be careful in choosing a motherboard that is compatible as well, not all motherboards are equal Personally, I'd go with the mini, muss no fuss and it should be faster then then i3
	0

Jan 21, 2013, 02:38 PM	#10
Oracle1729 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2009	First, I'm a huge fan of hackintoshes for desktops because Apple typically gives you crappy laptop parts in their anorexic desktops, and you can build a fantastic machine in the $1000 range. But if you're looking at an i3-3225 and that price list, you will be much better off with a mac mini. For example, I paid less than your heatsink price for a coolermaster water cooler for my i7-3770k based hack. You list $145 for the CPU which sounds about right, but $190 gets you an i5-3450, quad core, 3.2GHz, which will run rings around your i3 and only add $45 to your cost. I'm not sure what video card you have in mind, but for $140, it's overkill and wasted on that i3 CPU. Consider the i5 with the HD 4000 graphics. You'll save $100 now, build a better machine, and you can add a video card in a few months if you want it. Basically, based on the information you've given and the sort of mix you'd put together. Just buy the mini, sit back, and relax.
	0