Motherboard Favorite Mini-STX board and why.

[GentlemanShark]

Out of these choices, what would you go with? For my current project, I'm planning on using one and they all look similar to me minus a few I/O differences.

 

[Kmpkt]

I'd pick the AsRock because I know for sure it is PCIe 3.0x4 M.2 slot. If you ever want to do a GPU based build with this board, at least you'll have options.

 

[Therandomness]

I'd pick the AsRock because I know for sure it is PCIe 3.0x4 M.2 slot. If you ever want to do a GPU based build with this board, at least you'll have options.

I'm actually currently running a system with this board, and it's quite robust, I must admit. That combined with all the other features makes it my personal favourite too.

 

[GentlemanShark]

I'd pick the AsRock because I know for sure it is PCIe 3.0x4 M.2 slot. If you ever want to do a GPU based build with this board, at least you'll have options.

I was looking at that one, but I'm not planning on using a GPU with it. It also seems to be lacking quality in things like the audio chipset.

 

[Kmpkt]

Are any of these packing premium audio?

 

[GentlemanShark]

Are any of these packing premium audio?

Make your pick of the Realtek ALC3236, Realtek ALC283, or Realtek ALC255. The last one only supports 2 channel speakers sadly. Out of the boards, which has the smallest height on the backside of the board? It looks the Asrock, but I'm not sure how tall that CMOS battery is. Any thoughts on that?

 

[VisualStim]

ASRock Deskmini 110 > *

you get the board, case, wifi / bt for $130 and ASRock has a bio update for MacOS. You really cant beat that.

I'm running Sierra with Final Cut Pro X, with 6700K (extra one) / 16GB and it runs through edits so fast.

 

[Kmpkt]

I am so tempted to make a unibody STX case knowing it actually has that level of Hackintosh support. So just to be clear, AsRock has made it so you can just flat install OSX or is there still a lot of fiddling to be done?

 

[GentlemanShark]

ASRock Deskmini 110 > *

you get the board, case, wifi / bt for $130 and ASRock has a bio update for MacOS. You really cant beat that.

I'm running Sierra with Final Cut Pro X, with 6700K (extra one) / 16GB and it runs through edits so fast.

I like the Asrock, but the cmos battery might be a problem for cooler height.

 

[jeshikat]

You could just detach the battery from the board and stick it somewhere else.

 

[GentlemanShark]

You could just detach the battery from the board and stick it somewhere else.

Wouldn't there still be a clearance issue with the battery casing? As in the spot where the battery used to be.

 

[jeshikat]

It's a laptop-style CMOS battery, it's just stuck to the board with tape and has a short wire.

 

[GentlemanShark]

It's a laptop-style CMOS battery, it's just stuck to the board with tape and has a short wire.

Cool, I think I'll pick that one up, I've been measuring the I/O on my motherboard, and 2 USB + an ethernet port should work with compatibility.

 

[mantide]

I'd pick the AsRock because I know for sure it is PCIe 3.0x4 M.2 slot. If you ever want to do a GPU based build with this board, at least you'll have options.

I am doing exactly what you are saying. However the bandwidth showing in GPU-Z is PCI-E 3.0 x2 rather than x4.

Do you by any chance know why?
Thanks.

 

[jeshikat]

Is that at idle? Sometimes the link will drop down as a power saving feature.

And what adapter are you using?

 

[GentlemanShark]

It's a laptop-style CMOS battery, it's just stuck to the board with tape and has a short wire.

Nice, what do you think of this parts list?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Celeron G3930 2.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($41.80 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Silverstone NT07-115X 48.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($51.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Transcend MTS800 64GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($39.99 @ B&H)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A4x10 4.8 CFM 40mm Fan ($14.41 @ Newegg)
Other: ASRock H110M-STX ($82.99)
Other: HD PLEX 160W AC-DC ($49.00)
Other: Custom Case (Purchased For $0.00)
Total: $300.06
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-03-13 11:42 EDT-0400

 

[jeshikat]

What will you be using the computer for?

 

[GentlemanShark]

What will you be using the computer for?

Probably just a show piece haha. Maybe use it as a portable hackathon computer for light CAD work and just email/programming.

 

[jeshikat]

Ok, in that case that CPU and SSD aren't a problem and you could even get away with the 80W HDPLEX AC-DC if you wanted.

 

[VisualStim]

I am so tempted to make a unibody STX case knowing it actually has that level of Hackintosh support. So just to be clear, AsRock has made it so you can just flat install OSX or is there still a lot of fiddling to be done?

its listed under their BIO downloads

"Support MAC OS X installation"

http://www.asrock.com/support/support.asp?cat=BIOS&Model=H110M-STX

this deskmini you update to that bio and stick the usb drive with Sierra on it with unibeast / multibeast on it and you are good to go.

The only problems ive run into but have fixes are (dual monitor support) (artifacting top left of the monitor)

I havent fixed these yet.


Heres the TonyMac thread

https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/asrock-deskmini-110-issues.200939/

And youll want one of these as well

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856989002



my gripes is that the bluetooth module doesnt work with MacOS, I want bluetooth because there arent that many ports~ (I run 2 thermal printers off the deskmini) end game I want to use a BT keyboard and my MX Master or MX Anywhere 2.

Another gripe is that I had a G4560, in it before. I believe I saw a couple threads on TonyMac where they got G CPUs to work but its more work. So I basically took my extra 6700K and used that (no extra work) because the 6700 CPU was used in the latest iMac

Another gripe is that I didn't really know how to stick 2 OS's on the M.2 (which can be done for MacOS) So I have Sierra on the Samsung SSD and Windows 10 on the M.2

6700K / 16GB / Intel HD530 / Intel 600P 256GB M.2 / Samsung 850 EVO 500GB / Seagate Barracuda 2TB / Noctua NH-L9i / Intel 7260NGW Wifi / Bluetooth 4.0
It runs MacOS Sierra and Windows 10

The new macbook pro 2016 runs a AMD 460 (native drivers) so people have gotten 460s to work with a little fiddling.