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i7 mac pro build feedback


I.odine
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Hey Guys,

 

I am a long time lurker first time poster here at IM. I have been looking for quite some time to replace my aging MBP (circa 2006) with something a little more modern.

 

I am a graphic designer and big fan of gaming. I have been working with Macs for 6 years now professionally and would like to continue but a true Mac Pro is just out of the budget right now. Plus I can still use my MBP if I need something stable for OSX.

 

My goal is to build a Mac Pro equivalent (mid range) that will boot Win 7 and OSX (2 separate drives) I would love for it to be able to play games (SC2, D3 etc...) as well as be a general use machine for my design work.

 

I have followed a build from tonymac but am not sure if It will quiet perform as I am hoping, as well - what are some foreseen troubles you can see me having with it?

 

The specs are below!

 

MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R ATX Intel Motherboard

CPU: Intel Core i7-870 2.93GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W

GPU: GIGABYTE Radeon HD 5770 GV-R577SO-1GD Video Card

CPU COOLER: Scythe SCKBT-1000 120mm Sleeve Kabuto 6 Heat Pipes CPU Cooler

RAM: OCZ Gold 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory

CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF 922 BLUE RC-922M-KWN2-GP Black ATX Mid Tower

HARDRIVE: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive x2

 

I am nervous about shelling out the $1600 for it...and I would never feel comfortable without first consulting the genius that is the IM community! Please be gentle! ha.

 

Thanks Guys, any feedback/suggestions for changes (and why!) would be greatly appreciated!

 

Cheers

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So over the course of the day sitting at my desk I have decided to go for it and bite the bullet on this one...Unless someone is planning on talking me out of it!

 

If someone could just let me know what I can expect for trouble's that may arise? I have some experience with hackintosh's before so I know they can be quirky.. hackintoshed my mini 110.

 

Appreciate any feedback or thoughts! Thank you in advance!

 

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http://tonymacx86.blogspot.com/2010/08/bui...c-pro-2010.html

 

http://tonymacx86.blogspot.com/2010/06/bui...omplete-pc.html

loveapple2117454552imag.gif

use [url="http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/279450-why-insanelymac-does-not-support-tonymacx86/"]#####[/url] and you will not have problems

http://tonymacx86.blogspot.com/2010/05/ibo...hanced-usb.html

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HOLD UP!!!

 

 

 

Your motherboard and processor do not match!

 

The i7 870 and X58 chipsets use two different sockets. You need a mobo with a 1156 socket, not 1366.

 

 

 

 

The build in my signature scores 13,000 on XBench x64.  So, if you have any doubts about performance, compare that score with a quad-core Mac Pro.  (Hint: It exceeds it.)

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HOLD UP!!!

 

 

 

Your motherboard and processor do not match!

 

The i7 870 and X58 chipsets use two different sockets. You need a mobo with a 1156 socket, not 1366.

 

 

Well thats a bit of a pickle aint it!!!

 

I was picking out parts at 2am though...maybe thats why haha. I think i was leaning towards the 870 because its the lynnfield running at 95w as opposed to the 930 which is the bloomfield running at 130w? I heard the lynnfield is more forgiving for OCing because of the power/temp difference there. Would I be wrong there? Say I was to stick with the 870 - which mobo (from newegg.ca) would you suggest? I am not hard set on it - so if you think the 930 is the way to go, I am probably fairly easily swayed.

 

I started looking at the GPU now as well...I see on build 3 (http://tonymacx86.blogspot.com/2010/06/building-customac-three-complete-pc.html) its rocking the GTX 285. I hear this beats out the HD 5770 (granted a bit more expensive though...) worth it? Really looking for the best graphics performance here for my GPU, a few ideas for an ass kicker around 2-300 bucks would be great.

 

Thanks Inimicus for the heads up - really appreciate it!

 

and MaLdon thank you as well for those link! much appreciated!

 

CHeers

 

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The 870 should be fine. I bought an 860 because, at that time, the 870 was around $200 more for a difference that didn't justify the price.

 

You can see in my sig that I have a GA-P55A-UD4P and a GTX 285. I am very satisfied with both... with the exception of buying-in to a 2GB card. Stick with a card with < 2GB of VRAM or you won't be able to run a lot of graphic-intense software.

 

ATI cards appear to give you more bang for your buck, but it's one of those six-in-one-hand sort of deals.

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So still choosing the 870 (which we all agree will be good?) what MOBO will I need then?

 

From what i've been reading the GTX "blows the 5770 outta the water" one poster put it...30-40% performance boost for 100 bucks more?

 

So i guess Assuming I went with the I7 870 and the 285 (is there anything better than the 285 at this point?) what Mobo should I grab?

 

Thanks again!!!

 

Much appreciated!

 

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Slightly OT: the Core i7-950 is exceptionally good value for money right now:

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115211

 

The first mobo you had chosen (GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R) is a fine match.

 

 

Thats not OT! thats helpful info right there haha. Seems both the 870 and the 950 are the same price right now. From what i'm hearing the 870 has more potential than the 950, at least thats what some googleing is telling me...there the same price though...so i guess I should look at the options for a MOBO for the 870 and see how that plays with the rest of my hardware?

 

Have any links for something that will play nice with the 870 and my shopping list? I already know if grab the 950 instead my Mobo listed above and rest of the gear will play nice...need alternatives lol. never feel like i've done my research properly until i've at least shot down a few ideas :)

 

Thanks for the info guys - it really is appreciated!

 

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From what i'm hearing the 870 has more potential than the 950, at least thats what some googleing is telling me...

 

It depends... But the i9xx are to be considered as the older brothers, compared to the i8xx.

For instance the i9xx support triple channel RAM, which is slightly faster. And they are better for overclocking too.

The Core i7-950 used to be a lot more expensive.

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It depends... But the i9xx are to be considered as the older brothers, compared to the i8xx.

For instance the i9xx support triple channel RAM, which is slightly faster. And they are better for overclocking too.

The Core i7-950 used to be a lot more expensive.

 

 

By older brother...you mean younger? ha...the way a 2010 is the older brother of a 2009 car?

 

I think im prtty much sold on the 950 now though, I am comfortable with knowing the MOBO is solid with it. Now - advice on the GPU? as i said - gamin is important to me! even if that be on the windows side of things. you think the GTX 285 (as in build 3) is the way to go? or the HD 5770 as in the mac pro build? CAn you suggest anything better for 2-300?

 

As always, I am humbled by your input and comments.

 

Thank you

 

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charts/graphics-cards

 

HD 5770 is slower by a bit than the HD4870 or HD4890 for gaming.

 

I would get this:

HD5850 Hackintoshable

Its triple head eyeinfinity

 

If your doing content creation and video the GTX 285 is good for some apps that can take advantage of CUDA. Although a overclocked GTX4xx series(currently not so Hackintoshable) for gaming is the AMD RADEON's worst nightmare. Stick two and its certain death even to the mightiest 5970. Nvidia SLI scales very well! (speaking gaming wise)

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Just wanted to let you guys know - that I am starting a blog about my exploits with this build. Going to keep it up to date step by step as I go.

 

http://itsmyabode.com/users/matt/

 

As I was writing out the specs I realized I didnt have any wireless adapter...is the one I picked on there okay?

TP-Link TL-WN951N Wireless N.

 

Your guy's continued support in answers my questions and providing input is greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks again.

 

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I have just realized something. The RAM you mention is dual channel. Ideally you should buy triple channel RAM.

 

Good point Alessandro!

 

God you guys are really saving my ass!

 

Now...6GB or 12GB (seems triple channel is non-existent in triple channel (makes sense it is divisible by 3 ha))

 

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?...N82E16820227538

 

Something like that?

 

can anyone recommend(/link) a good set of 6GB Triple Channel, and 12GB Triple Channel? I must admit - RAM is not my forte when choosing a good set!

 

Thank you!

 

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How about this one:

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820145224

 

The one you linked doesn't explicitly mention "Triple Channel Kit"

 

12GB:

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820145271

 

Corsair Dominator should be among the very best. I have it myself (see my sig) but it is DDR2 Dual Channel.

 

Personally I believe that 6GB should be enough for most needs.

 

I found an interesting article:

 

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/memory...grade,2264.html

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Hey Guys. Thank you againAlessandro for the RAM tips! I read your article and found it quiet compelling! I have indeed decided that for the price I can not nearly justify going for 12 gigs, when the dominator looks just as good!

 

So I have tentatively put in my order and was hoping you guys can confirm that as far as you know everything I am picking up *should* be compatible?

 

I have been taking feedback and suggestions from you guys so it is a bit different than when I started!

 

I need to finalize my order tomorrow - so If anyone sees a problem could you tell me asap? Thanks! my build/order is as below:

 

MOBO: Gigabyte x58A-UD3R ATX

PSU: Corsair TX850W

CPU: Intel I7 950

STORAGE: 2x Samsung Spinpoint 1TB

GPU: Gigabyte Radeon HD 5850

CASE: Coolermaster HAF 922 Mid ATX

MEMORY: Xorsair XMS3 Dominator TR3X6G 1600

COOLER: Scythe Kabuto Top Flow LGA1366

OPTICAL: Samsung 24x DVD+-RW SATA OEM

BLUETOOTH: ASUS SB-BT21 Mini USB Bluetooth Dongle

 

 

Now...I am most concerned about the GPU, and Bluetooth...Also - I am open to suggestions for a Wireless card, and Cooler...not sure!

 

Let me know what you guys think! I need to finalize tomorrow like I said!

 

Thank you so much! you guys have been invaluable!

 

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Personally I wouldn't buy an ATI card, but it could be just me:

 

http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=189646

 

(I haven't read it).

 

Wireless card I don't know, because I use my desktop connected via ethernet cable, but it should be easy to find one here.

 

Bluetooth: http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php...e=show&st=0

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Thank you @hangten, @alessandro!

 

@alessandro - I have been reading (since you so kindly brought that to my attention! I was notice most/all posts were in 2009! I did some deeper digging

 

http://netkas.org/?p=465 and found apparently the sapphire 5850 appears to be working fully.

 

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?...2-884-_-Product

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=52951&vp...acture=SAPPHIRE

 

So i may change out the card to the sapphire from the gigabyte but stick with the ATI. UNless you can give me an alternative besides the 285? which i have no problem with - but from what i was reading the 5850 beats it out so...leaning that way!

 

Thanks again guys!

 

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Well, I trust netkas, he always knows what he is talking about.

Also, if you don't want to install other operating systems like Linux or BSDs (ATI cards are notoriously a pain), you should be ok:

 

http://www.google.com/search?q=Linux+or+BS...e781b66e30e329a

 

I couldn't, because I am an operating systems fanatic :)

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I couldn't, because I am an operating systems fanatic :P

 

Haha - well I am just going OSX and Windows7. So I should be okay on that end! got 2 other boxes for linux if my heart so desires!

 

I am going to go ahead and update my order then! if you trust netkas then i trust netkas ha ;)

 

Now for the hard part...waiting for the parts!

 

will keep ya posted!

 

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