mac mini Mac Mini 2014 Graphics Card mod

[BlankMistry]

Hey, I've been looking into mini computer builds and while scouring the plethora of SBC computers and Nucs.
The Mac mini is a powerhouse in terms of CPU, 3.0 GHz Intel "Core i7" (4578U) processor, and 16 GBLPDDR3 SDRAM
Could one use an adapter to say 3.0 PCie X16 with the PCIE ssd port built into the motherboard?
Thereby running a graphics card without the need of some external hub.

[BondiBlue]

That's a proprietary Apple port, and I doubt there are adapters to convert it to a full sized PCIe slot. Even if there was you'd only get two lanes, not to mention the fact that you wouldn't be able to close the case. Also, that Mac mini only has a dual core CPU, and it's not very powerful. I wouldn't buy a 2014 mini if I were you. 

[BlankMistry]

It seems like a better option compared to all these other mini pcs that sell Intel Celeron J series. For the price point even if the mini from 2014 has dual core it still out performs many newer mini pcs that fall in the sub $300 category. Would there be any you might recommend?
I really mainly want one that I can either upgrade to 16 GB ram.
The use case is as a small server computer, to run plex and some game servers.
 

[BondiBlue]

Just now, BlankMistry said:

It seems like a better option compared to all these other mini pcs that sell Intel Celeron J series. For the price point even if the mini from 2014 has dual core it still out performs many newer mini pcs that fall in the sub $300 category. Would there be any you might recommend?
I really mainly want one that I can either upgrade to 16 GB ram.
The use case is as a small server computer, to run plex and some game servers.

Does it have to be a mini PC? You're really limiting yourself with a 2014 Mac mini. Those were some of the worst performing models for the price. They all only had dual core CPUs, soldered RAM, and not much expansion. A couple years ago I would have recommended a 2012 mini over a 2014 mini. 

[ImAlsoRan]

If you really want an eGPU, you can try using the Thunderbolt 2 ports for it. It's theoretically possible and some people have had success with TB2 eGPUs on macOS. Just remember, any Intel-based Mac right now is a bad idea if you intend to to use it as your main or even a secondary computer in the near future.

[jaslion]

10 hours ago, BlankMistry said:

It seems like a better option compared to all these other mini pcs that sell Intel Celeron J series. For the price point even if the mini from 2014 has dual core it still out performs many newer mini pcs that fall in the sub $300 category. Would there be any you might recommend?
I really mainly want one that I can either upgrade to 16 GB ram.
The use case is as a small server computer, to run plex and some game servers.
 

Legit just get a dell sff computer and a low profile gtx 750, 1050 or 1650. You can get a i7 3rd gen + a good gpu and that i7 OBLITERATES the performance of the mac mini already.

 

You are looking at the totally wrong device for your usecase the mac mini is not at all applicable here as it does not even come close to having the cpu power needed.

 

That and the gpu mod will not work. At best a tb2 egpu dock can happen but that is far more expensive than it has to be, chances of it working are low and it will be super slow.

 

 

So do not get the mac mini it's the entirely wrong device for you.

[BlankMistry]

On 11/18/2021 at 9:59 AM, jaslion said:

Legit just get a dell sff computer and a low profile gtx 750, 1050 or 1650. You can get a i7 3rd gen + a good gpu and that i7 OBLITERATES the performance of the mac mini already.

 

You are looking at the totally wrong device for your usecase the mac mini is not at all applicable here as it does not even come close to having the cpu power needed.

 

That and the gpu mod will not work. At best a tb2 egpu dock can happen but that is far more expensive than it has to be, chances of it working are low and it will be super slow.

 

 

So do not get the mac mini it's the entirely wrong device for you.

You're not wrong about the pc stuff. Yes for sure that would be more powerful. However, I don't need another pc.
Sure the mini is basically like a thick laptop, atleast the way Apple makes em as you can't really change the cpu. However the build quality is excellent for my price range.
The whole point of going for the mini is price point right now. The graphics card stuff would be for fun. I just ended up going with a newer mac mini that I bought for $250 and I will try eGPU later on.
Thank you for the advice though.

[BlankMistry]

On 11/17/2021 at 11:23 PM, BondiBlue said:

Does it have to be a mini PC? You're really limiting yourself with a 2014 Mac mini. Those were some of the worst performing models for the price. They all only had dual core CPUs, soldered RAM, and not much expansion. A couple years ago I would have recommended a 2012 mini over a 2014 mini. 

Yeah agreed, it's not worth it getting the 2014 just in case an internal GPU is possible.
I went for the 2018 instead, yes I know the T2 security chip is annoying. But my low price was really a steal on that one. 
Thank you.

[BondiBlue]

8 minutes ago, BlankMistry said:

Yeah agreed, it's not worth it getting the 2014 just in case an internal GPU is possible.
I went for the 2018 instead, yes I know the T2 security chip is annoying. But my low price was really a steal on that one. 
Thank you.

Trust me, even with the T2 chip the 2018 Mac mini is a much better choice. It's still a decently powerful machine, and you can upgrade the RAM in it. You've also got Thunderbolt 3, so external GPUs are very easy to add. You can also use very fast external storage. 

[BlankMistry]

6 minutes ago, BondiBlue said:

Trust me, even with the T2 chip the 2018 Mac mini is a much better choice. It's still a decently powerful machine, and you can upgrade the RAM in it. You've also got Thunderbolt 3, so external GPUs are very easy to add. You can also use very fast external storage. 

Yessir, after looking at every model 2012 and up I ended up getting the mid 2018 i3 one for $250. Almost brand new. It's a great machine, I will be upgrading the ram very soon.
Now to install Ubuntu...

[BondiBlue]

Just now, BlankMistry said:

Yessir, after looking at every model 2012 and up I ended up getting the mid 2018 i3 one for $250. Almost brand new. It's a great machine, I will be upgrading the ram very soon.
Now to install Ubuntu...

Dang, that's a great deal. Nice find! Good luck with Ubuntu - I don't have any experience installing it on T2 based Macs unfortunately.