Building a MacPro, Yes, a MacPro not a Hackintosh Options

[DJ Loe Kee]

There's no such thing as a Mac Pro G5. The G5 towers were Powermacs, and are not Intel processor based. If you want a lower end Mac Pro, then I suggest that you look around for a genuine used one. If you are saying that you already have the e8400, then it's a case of buying a motherboard, (the P35 chipset motherboards will take that CPU), and building a hackintosh.

ok, thanks. i just assumed that this was the g5
http://www.apple.com/macpro
'cause my friend said that he was goin' to buy a used g4 on ebay.

i really want a mac pro with a 45nm intel dual core instead of a quad or octo core. the current mac pro is just too many cores for music production and i plan on buyin' keyboards/workstations/synthesizers eventually so i don't need lots of cores to run lots of vst softsynths.

my mb on my newegg wishlist is not hackintosh compatible, the asus p5n-t deluxe (nvidia 780i chipset). so it is either buy a used mac pro, get a asus p5w dh deluxe (intel 975x chipset), wait for asus to release a new 975x mb that is 45nm ready (975x is supported by digidesign protools so i might be better off gettin' that one anyways so that digidesign will give me tech support if i have protools problems).

i'll check out the p35 chipset and see if it is supported by protools (i've seen protools work on a non-supported emachines amd 64 so i really don't care if they refuse tech support to me, i'll find a way to get it to work). i'm always changin' the mb that i have on my wishlist. and i don't have an e8400 yet, i still have an amd athlon xp2700 and i'm itchin' to get a new mb (my old mb died and my current mb doesn't support my 500gb sata2 hard drive, it sucks usin' a 160gb ide hard drive instead).

[nagal]

ok, thanks. i just assumed that this was the g5
http://www.apple.com/macpro
'cause my friend said that he was goin' to buy a used g4 on ebay.

i really want a mac pro with a 45nm intel dual core instead of a quad or octo core. the current mac pro is just too many cores for music production and i plan on buyin' keyboards/workstations/synthesizers eventually so i don't need lots of cores to run lots of vst softsynths.

my mb on my newegg wishlist is not hackintosh compatible, the asus p5n-t deluxe (nvidia 780i chipset). so it is either buy a used mac pro, get a asus p5w dh deluxe (intel 975x chipset), wait for asus to release a new 975x mb that is 45nm ready (975x is supported by digidesign protools so i might be better off gettin' that one anyways so that digidesign will give me tech support if i have protools problems).

i'll check out the p35 chipset and see if it is supported by protools (i've seen protools work on a non-supported emachines amd 64 so i really don't care if they refuse tech support to me, i'll find a way to get it to work). i'm always changin' the mb that i have on my wishlist. and i don't have an e8400 yet, i still have an amd athlon xp2700 and i'm itchin' to get a new mb (my old mb died and my current mb doesn't support my 500gb sata2 hard drive, it sucks usin' a 160gb ide hard drive instead).

If 8 cores is just way too much for making music, you can get a single 4 core cpu Mac Pro. Plus this thread is really about building Mac Pros not hackintoshes.

[DJ Loe Kee]

If 8 cores is just way too much for making music, you can get a single 4 core cpu Mac Pro. Plus this thread is really about building Mac Pros not hackintoshes.

yea, i was interested in buildin' my own mac pro with a dual core intel 45nm instead of a quad core. i guess 4 cores would come in handy once the software catches up with it and it can take advantage of it. but for now, quads are just needed for video production. i've been googlin' for reasons on why i need a quad core for music production but i can't find anybody usin' one yet.

i've priced a mac pro with the specs of my planned pc upgrade and it comes out to $3000 on apple's website (ok, so a quad/octo core vs. a dual core really isn't fair). i can upgrade my pc for $1000 so it doesn't make sense from a business standpoint to buy a mac pro right now. but i wouldn't mind tryin' to build an authentic mac pro to use ONLY for music production. everybody says that i should build a pc just for music production but i think that would be a waste of a pc for me, i still want to play 2-4 pc games on it.

[digitalperformer]

yea, i was interested in buildin' my own mac pro with a dual core intel 45nm instead of a quad core. i guess 4 cores would come in handy once the software catches up with it and it can take advantage of it. but for now, quads are just needed for video production. i've been googlin' for reasons on why i need a quad core for music production but i can't find anybody usin' one yet.

i've priced a mac pro with the specs of my planned pc upgrade and it comes out to $3000 on apple's website (ok, so a quad/octo core vs. a dual core really isn't fair). i can upgrade my pc for $1000 so it doesn't make sense from a business standpoint to buy a mac pro right now. but i wouldn't mind tryin' to build an authentic mac pro to use ONLY for music production. everybody says that i should build a pc just for music production but i think that would be a waste of a pc for me, i still want to play 2-4 pc games on it.

I got a few reasons for you to get an octo-core... with Digital Performer (the king of audio recording, editing, and Midi) on my quad core G5 I was able to play back over 100 tracks with an average of three to four plug-ins on each track. Taxed my quad to 90%. With my newest mac pro build... ohhh man... what's processor taxation? No beads of sweat off this beast; it's here to chew bubble gum and kick ass... unfortunately it's all out of bubblegum. Show me a windows audio recording app that can hold a candle to Digital Performer. Pro-Fools, Cubase, Nuendo? I think not. As far as your video production is concerned Final Cut Studio is the only way, Adobe tries but fails in their attempt. Don't forget Shake4.1, show me a more elegant non-mac compositing program. Mac OS X is so robust, solid, functional, just amazing. I'm waiting for the day when Apple will bury the nail into Microsoft's coffin by freeing Mac OS X from jail.

Honestly stick with your PC, from what your saying you do not require our kind of computer power.

[teknojunkie]

haha yes my 8 core runs shake like butter

[DJ Loe Kee]

I got a few reasons for you to get an octo-core... with Digital Performer (the king of audio recording, editing, and Midi) on my quad core G5 I was able to play back over 100 tracks with an average of three to four plug-ins on each track. Taxed my quad to 90%. With my newest mac pro build... ohhh man... what's processor taxation? No beads of sweat off this beast; it's here to chew bubble gum and kick ass... unfortunately it's all out of bubblegum. Show me a windows audio recording app that can hold a candle to Digital Performer. Pro-Fools, Cubase, Nuendo? I think not. As far as your video production is concerned Final Cut Studio is the only way, Adobe tries but fails in their attempt. Don't forget Shake4.1, show me a more elegant non-mac compositing program. Mac OS X is so robust, solid, functional, just amazing. I'm waiting for the day when Apple will bury the nail into Microsoft's coffin by freeing Mac OS X from jail.

Honestly stick with your PC, from what your saying you do not require our kind of computer power.

dang, that's some serious encodin'. my friend uses either digital performer or logic pro with his g4. i can't remember which daw he uses (i'd have to ask him again), i just remember that he doesn't know how to use protools and he wanted to stick with what he knew, digital performer/logic pro.

[gramarye]

I suggest you getting a used Mac Pro (that is either duo or quad) for a decent price, or possibly build one from older parts at a discounted price. Like the 5100 chipset instead of the 5400 revision. If it can be had at a more affordable cost that is. (heck, even a Powermac G5, can suffice) Try to spend the minimum in $$$ and time in the PC build and maximize your investment in midis, synths, keys, the tools you'll need, and allow + dedicate more time towards music production/making music. Since you're a DJ, have you considered a MacBook Pro or Powerbook for portability-wise? They make excellent live performers with the right programs if you ever go that direction. As for the gaming, keep the PC parts for that very purpose. It's interesting to learn that only the 975 chipset is supported for such programs? What about the 5400 chipset? I really didn't know it breaks down to such specifics in hardware. (eh, you can PM me the answers instead, I'll try not to get off-topic anymore.)

To Nagal: Thanks for the response, hopefully it's not too much to ask, how much smaller by comparison, are the Apple heatsink stocks to the thermalrights? I'm trying to plan out my next build.

[nagal]

To Nagal: Thanks for the response, hopefully it's not too much to ask, how much smaller by comparison, are the Apple heatsink stocks to the thermalrights? I'm trying to plan out my next build.

I have never seen the Apple HS in person just pictures but from what I can see, they are a lot smaller. The Apple HS will be very tall but as far as the length and width, they appear to be the same as a standard Xeon 771 HS.



Okay, I need to tap the collective brain power here. I tried the SMC reset and still no dice on my top front fan running full speed. Here are the speeds my fans run at according to hardware monitor

Exhaust 1800 rpm
Top Front 2800 rpm
Bottom Front 500 rpm

Logic board has the latest SMC and EFI, running 10.4.11 (too many issues with Leopard and Logic so when back to Tiger).

At this point, I am thinking of inlining a resistor on the voltage wire of each fan so that they top out at 1500 RPMs just to keep the noise down as the temps in the computer never get bad.

Any other ideas? I could just replace the fans but 3 resistors are a lot cheaper than 3 fans

[Listed1st.com]

I'd just go with the resistors. Get some variable speed and if you ever needed to you could easily turn them up. That's really strange your fan is spinning so fast. Really strange!

[nagal]

I'd just go with the resistors. Get some variable speed and if you ever needed to you could easily turn them up. That's really strange your fan is spinning so fast. Really strange!

Yeah it is strange and all my searching online suggests two fixes: reset the SMC or take it to an Apple store where more than likely the logic board will get replaced. We all know the later is not going to happen

[gramarye]

Where did you guys buy the Apple Stock Heatsinks from? No where to be found on Mac-Pro and ApplePalace.

[nagal]

Where did you guys buy the Apple Stock Heatsinks from? No where to be found on Mac-Pro and ApplePalace.

I dont know of anyone that has used them in their build. Here they are at Apple Palace. I am pretty sure this is just for one but you might want to call and ask them. The Apple part number is 076-1233

http://www.applepalace.com/scripts/prodVie...?idproduct=7835

[Coda]

I dont know of anyone that has used them in their build. Here they are at Apple Palace. I am pretty sure this is just for one but you might want to call and ask them. The Apple part number is 076-1233

http://www.applepalace.com/scripts/prodVie...?idproduct=7835

100 bucks each! I would just get two arctic freezer 7 pro's, at for $30 total. That is assuming they will physically mount to the board.

[gramarye]

That is a bit pricey, I'm hoping its for 2, but eh wishful thinking. I guess the thermalrights are the way to go. Any of you guys plan on selling your old Apple stock Heatsinks?

Someone just got theirs for $24.99+shipping, doesn't help to have only 1 though...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mac-Pro-Heatsink-Kit-0...1QQcmdZViewItem

Is that a CPU wire to Power dangling like in PCs?

[digitalperformer]

I have never seen the Apple HS in person just pictures but from what I can see, they are a lot smaller. The Apple HS will be very tall but as far as the length and width, they appear to be the same as a standard Xeon 771 HS.



Okay, I need to tap the collective brain power here. I tried the SMC reset and still no dice on my top front fan running full speed. Here are the speeds my fans run at according to hardware monitor

Exhaust 1800 rpm
Top Front 2800 rpm
Bottom Front 500 rpm

Logic board has the latest SMC and EFI, running 10.4.11 (too many issues with Leopard and Logic so when back to Tiger).

At this point, I am thinking of inlining a resistor on the voltage wire of each fan so that they top out at 1500 RPMs just to keep the noise down as the temps in the computer never get bad.

Any other ideas? I could just replace the fans but 3 resistors are a lot cheaper than 3 fans

Try to manually override the fan with this.
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/23049

SMCfanControl is the name of the program.

That is what I'm using for my cooling control.

It's easier to maintain a low temp than lower the temp of something that is already hot.

with SMC fan control I set the lower and top fan to both 1300 RPM and exhaust to 1600.

core temps all average around 95 degrees F. You might have to go a little higher since you're using heatsinks while I'm using a radiator with CPU blocks.

If you can control your fans with the above program then we can troubleshoot from there.

Nagal... we for the most part have the same build... exception of cooler and CPU's. I have Leopard 10.5.2 without any problems. boots fast, no sleep issues or hardware problems. Could be your ES xeons causing some problems. As far as your fan, a two resistor voltage divider will work, your pickup threshold (minimum spin up) voltage should be around 8-9 VDC. Your minimum drop off voltage should be 5 - 8 VDC. If you have a bread board, set up the test with a 12VDC wall wart.

[nagal]

Try to manually override the fan with this.
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/23049

SMCfanControl is the name of the program.

That is what I'm using for my cooling control.

It's easier to maintain a low temp than lower the temp of something that is already hot.

with SMC fan control I set the lower and top fan to both 1300 RPM and exhaust to 1600.

core temps all average around 95 degrees F. You might have to go a little higher since you're using heatsinks while I'm using a radiator with CPU blocks.

If you can control your fans with the above program then we can troubleshoot from there.

Nagal... we for the most part have the same build... exception of cooler and CPU's. I have Leopard 10.5.2 without any problems. boots fast, no sleep issues or hardware problems. Could be your ES xeons causing some problems. As far as your fan, a two resistor voltage divider will work, your pickup threshold (minimum spin up) voltage should be around 8-9 VDC. Your minimum drop off voltage should be 5 - 8 VDC. If you have a bread board, set up the test with a 12VDC wall wart.

The problem with SMC fan control is it does not let me lower the fan speed, only set the minimum speed it will run. If it would let me set the max fan speed, my problem would be solved.

I find it hard to believe that the ES CPUs are an issue for the fan speed. I know weird things can happen in computers but seeing as how their is a separate SMC Firmware for Mac Pros (all Intel Mac is seems) that tells me fan control is separate from anything to deal with the CPUs. As for 10.5.2, I am glad it works for you. For me 10.5.2 has so many issue with my Apogee Duet and Logic, it was not a viable choice for me.

[Listed1st.com]

I am using ES CPUs overclocked to 3.0GHz, fans not a problem at all, on production or prototype boards...

[digitalperformer]

Nagal and Listed1 : what are your core temps on idle and max load? Want to get a ball park baseline for my system.

[nagal]

Nagal and Listed1 : what are your core temps on idle and max load? Want to get a ball park baseline for my system.

I will have to check my load temps as I can not recall but I get between 26c - 29c for Heatsink temp, cores are around 34c from what I remember. I will check it all tonight but those numbers should be pretty close.

[Listed1st.com]

My OC'd chips while running PowerFractal on 12mil count will push my CPU cores to a good 65c! (That's stock Apple Heat Sinks)