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Time to purchase parts for my first Hackintosh - need advice


Kalle H
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This is my first post, so hi guys! ;)

 

I'm currently planning to build a Hackintosh that I'll be using for HD editing in FCP7 and motion.

My aim is to build something for less than $1000. Here's what I've come up with so far:

 

Case: Antec sonata III 500w

 

Ram: Corsair XMS3 DDR3 PC10666/1333mhz CL9 4x2GB

(can I do with less?)

Motherboard: GA-EP45-UD3LR

 

CPU: Intel core 2 quad Q9550 2,8ghz

 

Hard drive: Samsung spinpoint F3 32mb 1TB

 

DVD: Sony optiarc AD-7260S

 

Graphics: Sparkle Geeforce 9400GT LP Passive 512mb

(Are there better options in the same low price range?)

 

Does this setup seem resonable or am I way off here?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

/Kalle

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Seems OK.

It is in fact very similar to the specs in my sig, except that I use an Asus, which is 100% compatible.

 

It should work, according to the HCL:

 

http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.ph...10.6.0#Gigabyte

 

As to the video card you have chosen:

 

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=206168

 

In practice I believe all you need is NVEnabler:

 

http://www.projectosx.com/forum/index.php?...entry1170

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Thanks for your reply.

What's your opinion on the RAM, could I do with just 4GB? (I can always upgrade to 8 later)

 

Yes, 4GB is quite enough.

 

But now I look a bit better at your specs, your mobo doen't support DDR3 RAM, AFAIK:

 

http://ee.giga-byte.com/products/mb/specs/...5-ud3lr_10.html

 

While the "T" seems to support it:

 

http://reviews.cnet.com/motherboards/gigab....html?tag=specs

 

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/motherboard...775-motherboard

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Since I'll be buying all new parts I could go with either the EP45 and DDR2 RAM or EP45T with DDR3 - the second option being only slightly more expensive.

I've just looked into the difference between DDR2 and DDR3 and there seems to be very little difference when it comes to performance. I guess even the speed of the RAM is not that important given I don't choose to overclock. So, 800mhz DDR2 could be the way to go or...?

 

I also have a second mobo option that I can get for cheap (used with 8GB RAM): ASUS P5K WS

How is that holding up in the snow leopard chase? From what I've heard so far the mobos made by Gigabyte are more OS X friendly.

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Since I'll be buying all new parts I could go with either the EP45 and DDR2 RAM or EP45T with DDR3 - the second option being only slightly more expensive.

I've just looked into the difference between DDR2 and DDR3 and there seems to be very little difference when it comes to performance. I guess even the speed of the RAM is not that important given I don't choose to overclock. So, 800mhz DDR2 could be the way to go or...?

 

I also have a second mobo option that I can get for cheap (used with 8GB RAM): ASUS P5K WS

How is that holding up in the snow leopard chase? From what I've heard so far the mobos made by Gigabyte are more OS X friendly.

 

DDR3 RAM should "give its best" when you have a Core i7 CPU.

Else you shouldn't note much difference.

However, if you buy DDR3 you'll be able to use it also when you upgrade.

I'd buy 1066mhz DDR2 if I were you, there is some difference in performance, especially with a Core 2 quad Q9550.

If you trust that second hand mobo it should be OK. I have a P5Q Deluxe and it is beautiful.

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DDR3 RAM should "give its best" when you have a Core i7 CPU.

Else you shouldn't note much difference.

However, if you buy DDR3 you'll be able to use it also when you upgrade.

I'd buy 1066mhz DDR2 if I were you, there is some difference in performance, especially with a Core 2 quad Q9550.

If you trust that second hand mobo it should be OK. I have a P5Q Deluxe and it is beautiful.

 

Thanks for you help Alessandro

I'm gonna go with the ga-ep45-ud3lr and 1066 DDR2 4GB

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  • 3 weeks later...

I got my Hackintosh up and running with SL using this guide by d00m42: http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=181903

I also used a copied DSDT.aml from funes http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=187906&st=40

 

The sound is working and I have no issues changing screen resolution. However my zotac geforce 8400GS is not fully recognized as I see a 9800GTX+ in the system profiler. HD video is running smooth and i see the ripples in the dashboard. Should I just leave it?

 

Oh, and also. I haven't tested the onboard ethernet since my Belkin F5D7001 wireless is working OOB.

 

Now, what can I do to confirm that everything is OK? Also, I haven't run any benchmarks yet since I don't know any good software?

 

Haven't run the update to 10.4 yet and I'm actually a little reluctant to do so. What kind of problems could I run into?

 

This forum ROCKS!

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