Ego Tripper Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 I'm planning on building a system that will primarily be used for audio recording/editing. I don't really do any gaming anymore and I don't plan on springing for a HDMI compatible display, so graphics aren't exactly a big priority. However, since the computer will be used for audio recording, noise levels are a major consideration and several components listed were selected with that in mind (e.g. case, HD, PSU). Intel DG31PR Motherboard Intel Q9300 Processor OSX Reaper DDR2 800 Dual Channel RAM - 4 GB (2 x 2 GB) (already purchased) Western Digital Caviar Green 640 GB SATA Drive (already purchased) Samsung SH-S202N SuperDrive w/ LightScribe Silverstone Nightjar ST30NF Power Supply Antec P182 Mid-Tower Case At this point, a lot of things are hinging upon which motherboard I end up purchasing. I've listed the DG31PR because it seems to come highly recommended-- judging by the HCL and a number of forum posts. However, I did read somewhere that the onboard graphics (an appealing feature) are not supported by OS X. I was hoping somebody (or somebodies :censored2: ) could confirm or refute this. If the graphics are indeed unsupported, then I shall require a video card and a different motherboard. Hopefully someone could recommend a good motherboard (or two). I don't think I'll be doing any RAID setups or overclocking, but Firewire ports and extra PCI slots are nice. Since the audio is important I won't be trusting it to the motherboard-- so audio ports are not important. Thanks for yr time! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/147205-seeking-system-building-advice/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synaesthesia Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 The Onboard graphics don't work with acceleration. You can buy any nVidia or ATI cheap graphics card for this. Get a Silent 8400GS or 7200/7300! You can get a Firewire card, quite cheaply. Just check the HCL Wiki + Forum. There aren't really any better motherboards, and none with Onboard graphics. You can look at the Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R - it has built in Firewire..and can overclock. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/147205-seeking-system-building-advice/#findComment-1043204 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaap Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 While the DG31PR is a decent board for OSX, I wouldn't recommend it for your setup. You have no need to limit yourself to a mATX board with the Antec P182 case. Also, the P31 chipset is just a little bit old. It'll work fine, but it's not as future-proof as other newer choices. I'd urge you to consider a full sized Gigabyte board with a newer P35 or P45 chipset. You'll benefit from more and faster RAM capability, higher FSB, and more SATA and PCI slots. Suggestions: GA-P35-DS3L (many are still available in BRAND NEW condition on eBay, and these boards are incredibly stable for Hackintosh, and fairly cheap. GA-EP45-UD3P (a really nice board with lots of features, newer heatpipe layout, lots of slots, dual gigabit ethernet, eSATA that works with OSX, and a newer chipset. Runs OSX perfectly. A little pricer at around $125 but well worth it.) GA-EP45-UD3R (I haven't used one myself, but apparently just as good a board as the UD3P, might be a little cheaper.) Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/147205-seeking-system-building-advice/#findComment-1043754 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ego Tripper Posted January 17, 2009 Author Share Posted January 17, 2009 Thanks for the recommendations. It looks like I'll be going with the GA-EP45-UD3R. Not only would it allow for many future upgrades, but the onboard heatsinks should help keep case fan speeds low. The only thing I'm worried about (and only a little worried about) is the fact that the GA-EP45-UD3R's entry in the HCL is only a stub. Does anybody have any more details regarding the install? I'm not well versed in graphics cards, but I seem to remember my friend getting one several years ago that had a coaxial out (or maybe it was RCA) so he could hook his television up to his computer. Do they still make cards like that? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/147205-seeking-system-building-advice/#findComment-1044380 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synaesthesia Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Coax-out doesn't work in OS X. But VGA and DVI work, and many TV's can accept that, or it can be converted to HDMI. The gigabyte EP45-DS3R is the same motherboard as the EP45-UD3R, so just look at the EP45-DS3R. It works perfectly. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/147205-seeking-system-building-advice/#findComment-1044774 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaap Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Does anybody have any more details regarding the install? I used the guide posted here. It's for the EP45-UD3P board, but this particular series of boards are so similar that the same install methods should work. (Don't assume that's always true of similarlly named but different motherboards though, because it definitely isn't.) Followed these directions exactly, and everything worked perfectly. Basically, install the retail OSX. On first boot after install, the LAN will work OOB. Connect to the internet and install all updates, including 10.5.6. Then patch as the guide indicates. The only thing I found that wasn't really fully outlined in the guide, is that on restart every time before you patch the system, the system will start to log off, but will 'hang' and you have to force restart by holding in the power button. But after you patch it in the last step, sleep, shutdown restart all work perfectly. (LAN takes about 20 seconds to restart after a wake from sleep.) That guide says fix the orange drives only if you want to- but I found that after patching this, it ALSO has the side benefit of enabling the 2 purple JMicron eSATA ports. (By the way, that is one major difference of the UD3x boards). Weaksause12 also has a UD3P package in his Leopard Soup guide: http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?s=&...t&p=1029657 Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/147205-seeking-system-building-advice/#findComment-1045331 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ego Tripper Posted January 21, 2009 Author Share Posted January 21, 2009 Thanks for all the advice, guys-- especially Zaap's tips regarding the install. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/147205-seeking-system-building-advice/#findComment-1049728 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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