noraa58 Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Hi there everybody! So I'm a lifelong "PC" user (I hate the "Mac v. PC" ads. MACS ARE PCS!) and I've decided to build a hackintosh. I like the Mac OS but the thing keeping me from ever using a Mac was the overpriced hardware and the inability to customize hardware. I've been building Windows PCs since I was 8 so I'd like to think I'm fairly capable of assembling the hardware. The thing I need MAJOR help with is what hardware to actually purchase! I was looking on the wiki and I am not sure as to what would be best. This computer is almost exclusively purposed as being an FCP machine, as I'm editing a feature on it. As such I want to mirror a Mac Pro dual quad core as much as possible, but for as little money as possible. My director is on a very tight budget, and beleive you me it was hard enough convincing him we needed to do this on FCP and not imovie on his mac book pro. So with that in mind I'm trying to build the most efficient editing machine I can. My thoughts are on needed parts: 500W PSU (Preferable dual)Quad core Intel proc Mobo with 2+ PCI-E Must support SATA, Firewire, Ethernet 4 GB RAM minimum 1TB storage minimum (pref 1.5-2TB in a RAID array) Mid-range vid card with dual monitor support and a video out to TV function If anyone has ANY help for me I'd very much appreciate it. I'm looking to be converted here! I'm trying to buy the parts on Newegg or something so current parts are a huge bonus. I've heard you all are a nice crowd over here, and I'm kinda desperate. I certainly don't have the $4k to shell out for a Mac Pro tower. Much love! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/131304-more-n00b-questions-re-hackintosh/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
nebulOSX Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Need a hackintosh to help your producer? How legal is it to use a hackintosh in a business? Sorry, I have nothing to say hardware wise, no experienced enough yet.. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/131304-more-n00b-questions-re-hackintosh/#findComment-931473 Share on other sites More sharing options...
noraa58 Posted October 15, 2008 Author Share Posted October 15, 2008 I was under the impression that as long as we buy the OS and all the software (which we will!) this was a legal project. Someone correct me if I'm wrong here... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/131304-more-n00b-questions-re-hackintosh/#findComment-931529 Share on other sites More sharing options...
nebulOSX Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 Running Mac OS X on PC hardware is against EULA, I'm 90% sure using it in a business could get you in some trouble... correct me if I'm wrong someone? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/131304-more-n00b-questions-re-hackintosh/#findComment-931594 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaap Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I really wouldn't let the EULA stop you from building a Hackintosh, and using it for your project. I use several for production work all the time. Just buy a legit copies of OSX and the software you use. And of course, don't expect to call Apple tech support. If you really need dual quad core CPU's however, you're probably better off buying a MacPro. There are dual quad mobos that are hackintosh compatible, but spec'ing out systems to match the MacPro usually ends up costing just about as much, or more. But then again, if someone was actually considering doing this project on a MacBook with imovie, and actually knows what they're talking about- then it is most definitely not anything that requires a dual quad MacPro. That said, you'll get really good bang for the buck with a typical quad core Hackintosh. You could probably get more work done using two Hacks that cost less than a single MacPro. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/131304-more-n00b-questions-re-hackintosh/#findComment-932289 Share on other sites More sharing options...
noraa58 Posted October 16, 2008 Author Share Posted October 16, 2008 Alright, thanks man. So then I'm just going to copy your hardware list from your sig there. Does model number on proc matter as long as it's an Intel Core2 Quad Q6600? I saved all the items on a wish list but can't seem to make it public so i'll just give a list here. I checked the HCL page and some of these items weren't on there but they're listed in Zaap's sig so I'm assuming he's got them working... GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS4 LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Dynamic Energy Saver Ultra Durable II Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...82E16813128087R Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model HH80562PH0568M - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115018 G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820231166 EVGA 256-P2-N751-TR GeForce 8600 GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814130085 Western Digital Caviar SE WD5000AAJS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822136178 SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16827151171 Those should be all the parts that might have compatibility issues. I've got a case and a PSU and other stuff on there but I think that'll all be ok. ANY help at all would be very good! Thanks! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/131304-more-n00b-questions-re-hackintosh/#findComment-932323 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaap Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 First off, everything would work on that list. That's pretty much exactly what I have, and yes, everything works. Yes, the Q6600 is fine. Since you're buying one that's OEM, you'll need to also buy a CPU heat sink and fan. So consider: look for a Q6600 that's the retail box (the picture will show a blue box) and you'll pay a little more, but get the stock HS and fan. Or look for a third party CPU cooler from newegg. (for LGA 775). I wouldn't recommend getting an open box board- you're buying something that's been used then returned. That's not even a very good price. I really like newegg, but I've been shocked in the past at the haphazard condition of some of their open box items, and the fact that it's usually not much of a bargain. They once shipped my friend an open box motherboard that was just tossed in the original box, no static bag, no padding, none of the board extras, no I/O shield, etc. It's a miracle it worked, cause the thing looked like it had been through hell. The board GA-EP35-DS4 I have is solid for Hackintosh, however, it's since been discontinued. There are newer, better boards now available. If I were building my own Hack today, I would not try to find another DS4 board -as good as it's been to me- I'd move on to the newer models. You might look into the GA-EP45-DS3_ . Currently, those seem to be the best-bet. Look around the board for people that have them- I dislike directly recommending anything I haven't used myself. Another good choice to consider is the GA-EP35-DS3L. I've built a system with this board and it's a solid performer- just find out what BIOS it ships with, and use the recommended BIOS of whichever install method/guide you use. Since you need Firewire, if a board doesn't have it built in, you can add it with a Firewire PCI card. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/131304-more-n00b-questions-re-hackintosh/#findComment-932390 Share on other sites More sharing options...
noraa58 Posted October 16, 2008 Author Share Posted October 16, 2008 Dude, you rock! Thanks for all the advice. I've had a lot of experience building comps before and I whole-heartedly trust Newegg on their open box stuff as I've bought a couple myself that work fine, but I'll take your advice here because I'm so new with the mac stuff. I added http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16813128344 to my wish list. It says "OC to DDR 1333 w/ BIOS update". I assume that just means it's capable of an FSB OC, and not that it is standard with the BIOS? As long as you approve and my Mac guru friend will look at the spec sheet tomorrow I'm going to go ahead and make the purchase! Thanks again, you've been awesome. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/131304-more-n00b-questions-re-hackintosh/#findComment-932802 Share on other sites More sharing options...
macdaddie0 Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3R board works really well. Only thing doesn't work OOB is the sound. At any rate, this board will run mac os x just fine. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/131304-more-n00b-questions-re-hackintosh/#findComment-939274 Share on other sites More sharing options...
noraa58 Posted October 23, 2008 Author Share Posted October 23, 2008 Is there some sort of easy patch for the sound? Sound is somewhat necessary for my endeavor. Thanks Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/131304-more-n00b-questions-re-hackintosh/#findComment-941115 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaap Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Check the thread on the EP45-DS4R. Just in case, I recommend getting one of these- $8 Syba USB adapter. If all else fails, this will give you plug and play stereo I/O. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/131304-more-n00b-questions-re-hackintosh/#findComment-941432 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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