1. Custom Mac Desktop Builds
CustoMac Mini 2011
A lower power CustoMac mini-ITX build in a shoebox-sized case with integrated graphics and a dual-core CPU.
Size and quietness makes it a great HTPC. This is our best selling build!
CPU Intel Core i3-2105
Motherboard
Gigabyte
GA-H67N-USB3-B3
Alternate Motherboard
Gigabyte
GA-H61N-USB3
RAM CORSAIR 8GB DDR3
Case + Power Supply APEX MI-008 Mini-ITX
CustoMac Budget Build
A mATX midsized desktop build featuring budget-minded parts. Contains a dual-core CPU, mATX form factor,
and integrated graphics.
CPU Intel Core i3-2105
Motherboard
Gigabyte
GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3
RAM CORSAIR 8GB DDR3
2. Custom Mac Desktop Builds
Case Cooler Master 341
Power Supply Corsair 430w
CustoMac ProBuilds
These full sized ATX builds have quad-core CPUs, maxed out RAM, and lots of expandability. Well suited for any
demanding uses. We've also included a high-end graphics card.
CPU Intel Core i5-2500K
Motherboard
Gigabyte
GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3
Graphics Card AMD Radeon HD 6850
Case Corsair Carbide Series 400R
RAM 16GB Corsair 1600Mhz DDR3
Power Supply Corsair 650watt
CustoMac Pro SSDBuild
This specialized high-end build features a mSATA slot on the board, which you can actually use as a system
drive if you get a compatible mSATA SSD.
3. Custom Mac Desktop Builds
CPU Intel Core i7-2600K
Motherboard
Gigabyte
GA-Z68XP-UD3
Graphics Card AMD Radeon HD 6870
mSATA SSD 60GB OCZ Nocti Series SATA 3Gb/s
Case Corsair Carbide Series 400R
RAM 16GB Corsair 1600Mhz DDR3
Power Supply Corsair 650watt
Operating System
The world's most advanced operating system is available at a bargain price. Purchase Mac OS X Lion via the
Mac App Store, Apple.com, or any retail Apple Store location.
Mac OS X Lion Application Mac App Store
Mac OS X Lion USB Thumb Drive Apple.com
Graphics Cards
4. Custom Mac Desktop Builds
One of the most important components in a custom build is the graphics card. If you're building a CustoMac, it's
an especially tricky decision. Not only do you have to worry about what will be a good performer for the cost, but
you also have to be informed what is fully supported, and what is not. They may not be the most powerful or
newest cards available, however they are undoubtedly smart and safe options. Please note that older cards may
not be available, and that standard layout, or "reference design" cards are most compatible.
NVIDIA GeForce
9400 GT
NVIDIA GeForce
9500 GT
NVIDIA GeForce
9600 GT
NVIDIA GeForce
9800 GT
(NO HDMI)
NVIDIA GeForce
GT 210
6. Custom Mac Desktop Builds
NVIDIA GeForce
GT 430
NVIDIA GeForce
GTS 450
NVIDIA GeForce
GTX 460
NVIDIA GeForce
GTX 470
NVIDIA GeForce
GTX 480
NVIDIA
Quadro FX 4000
for Mac
7. Custom Mac Desktop Builds
NVIDIA
Quadro FX 4800
for Mac
ATI Radeon
HD 5570
ATI Radeon
HD 5770
ATI Radeon
HD 5850
ATI Radeon
HD 5870
AMD Radeon
HD 6670
8. Custom Mac Desktop Builds
AMD Radeon
HD 6850
AMD Radeon
HD 6870
Motherboards
These Socket 1155 Z68 motherboards are all good choices with compatible audio, networking, and a range
of port options.
Gigabyte
GA-Z68A-D3H-B3
ATX, VGA, DVI, HDMI,
USB 3.0
Gigabyte
GA-Z68M-D2H
mATX, VGA, DVI, HDMI
Gigabyte
GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3
mATX, VGA, DVI, HDMI,
USB 3.0
Gigabyte
GA-Z68MX-UD2H-B3
mATX, VGA, DVI, HDMI, DP,
USB 3.0, eSATA,
Gigabyte
GA-Z68P-DS3
ATX, HDMI, eSATA
Gigabyte
GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3
ATX,VGA, DVI, HDMI, DP,
USB 3.0
9. Custom Mac Desktop Builds
Gigabyte
GA-Z68X-UD7-B3
ATX, No Onboard Video,
USB 3.0, eSATA, 2x PCIe x16
Gigabyte
GA-Z68XP-UD3
ATX, HDMI,
mSATA, USB 3.0, FireWire
Gigabyte
GA-Z68XP-UD3-iSSD
ATX, HDMI,
mSATA + SSD,
USB 3.0, FireWire
Gigabyte
GA-Z68XP-UD4
ATX, HDMI,
USB 3.0, eSATA, FireWire
Gigabyte
GA-Z68XP-UD5
ATX, HDMI
USB 3.0, eSATA, FireWire
CPUs
We recommend Sandy Bridge Socket 1155 CPUs with HD 3000 integrated graphics, even if getting a separate
graphics card.
Intel Core i3-2105
3.1Ghz
2 Cores / 4 Threads
Intel Core i3-2125
3.3Ghz
2 Cores / 4 Threads
Intel Core i5-
2405S
2.5Ghz
4 Cores / 4 Threads, Turbo
Intel Core i5-
2500K
3.3Ghz
4 Cores / 4 Threads, Turbo
Unlocked for Overclocking
10. Custom Mac Desktop Builds
Intel Core i7-
2600K
3.4Ghz
4 Cores / 8 Threads, Turbo
Unlocked for Overclocking
Intel Core i7-
2700K
3.5Ghz
4 Cores / 8 Threads, Turbo
Unlocked for Overclocking
Drives
Hard drives are unusually expensive right now, making SSDs a good bet for some users. If you have an
older drive to use with your build, it would be wise to hold off for a month or two. Choose a 1TB or less hard
drive if planning to use Chimera/Chameleon as your bootloader.
500GB
Hitachi Deskstar
SATA 3Gb/s
500GB Seagate Barracuda
SATA 6Gb/s
1TB
Seagate Barracuda
SATA 6Gb/s
60GB
Corsair Force Series 3
SATA 6Gb/s
120GB
Corsair Force Series 3
SATA 6Gb/s
240GB
Corsair Force Series 3
SATA 6Gb/s
120GB
OCZ Agility 3
SATA 6Gb/s
11. Custom Mac Desktop Builds
240GB
OCZ Agility 3
SATA 6Gb/s
8GB USB Flash Drive
Optical
Drive
Sony Optiarc
Accessories
Apple Wired Keyboard
Apple Wireless Keyboard
Apple Magic Trackpad
Apple Magic Mouse
Jabra A320S USB
Bluetooth Adapter
12. Custom Mac Desktop Builds
Mini-PCIe to PCI-e Adapter
(For Native Wifi Card)
Broadcom Mini-PCIe Card Not Included
Special Thanks to TonyX86!
