My System List: Any Problems?

[justyup]

Alright - after doing some surfing on this site for about a week, I think I've got my system specs built. Here we go:

 

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD5 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard

Processor: Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor

RAM: 2x Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333

Graphics Card: SAPPHIRE 100225L Radeon HD 3870 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 PCI Express 2.0 x16

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 120mm SSO CPU Cooler

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

DVD Burner: LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30

Case: Thermaltake Spedo Advance Package VI90001W2Z Black 0.8 mm SECC Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

Power Supply: Rosewill RP550V2-D-SL 550W ATX12V v2.01

Bluetooth: Cirago BTA-3210 USB 2.0 Micro V2.0+EDR Bluetooth Dongle

 

 

So...questions:

 

1) Is this powersupply adequate?

2) Is this case big enough to support the CPU cooler?

3) Do any of these components NOT work with OSX86?

4) Does this system let me install the retail vanilla OSX and then modify with Boot-132?

 

Thanks for your help so far guys!

[justyup]

As far as motherboards and CPUs, I'm looking at the following:

 

Motherboard: Intel S5000XVNSAS Dual LGA 771

CPU: Intel Xeon e5410 Harpertown 2.33GHz 12MB LD Cache LGA 771 Quad Core

 

Now, my questions:

 

1) Is this crazy overkill? I'm contemplating this particular motherboard because of it's ability to support Dual LGA 771 CPUs, but there are others on the market. This one in particular, however, has the ability to utilize 32GB of RAM which makes me happy

 

2) This processor - good? bad? mediocre? Overkill?

 

3) How much tweaking/hacking would this sort of configuation need over a standard vanilla retail box install? That's honestly what I prefer - getting a great system that won't constantly be a worry about updating from Apple or having to hack to hell and back

 

Thanks guys

[hnzw_rui]

As far as motherboards and CPUs, I'm looking at the following:

 

Motherboard: Intel S5000XVNSAS Dual LGA 771

CPU: Intel Xeon e5410 Harpertown 2.33GHz 12MB LD Cache LGA 771 Quad Core

 

Now, my questions:

 

1) Is this crazy overkill? I'm contemplating this particular motherboard because of it's ability to support Dual LGA 771 CPUs, but there are others on the market. This one in particular, however, has the ability to utilize 32GB of RAM which makes me happy :censored2:

 

2) This processor - good? bad? mediocre? Overkill?

 

3) How much tweaking/hacking would this sort of configuation need over a standard vanilla retail box install? That's honestly what I prefer - getting a great system that won't constantly be a worry about updating from Apple or having to hack to hell and back

 

Thanks guys

Why not get an Intel 5400 Seaburg chipset-based motherboard? I think that's the same chipset MacPro's use. I just checked on Newegg and brand-new Supermicro X7DWE board is less expensive than the open-box version of the board you listed. Remember, both boards use expensive, power-hungry FB-DIMMs. They run pretty hot, too, so make sure the memory's getting adequate airflow.

[justyup]

Why not get an Intel 5400 Seaburg chipset-based motherboard? I think that's the same chipset MacPro's use. I just checked on Newegg and brand-new Supermicro X7DWE board is less expensive than the open-box version of the board you listed. Remember, both boards use expensive, power-hungry FB-DIMMs. They run pretty hot, too, so make sure the memory's getting adequate airflow.

 

Hey Rui - thanks for replying

 

I don't know if I *DO* need a motherboard this capable OR what its compatibility is with OSX. I'm just starting to look and price and what not, so I'm not sure.

 

My ultimate goal is to build a system which will be able to handle my needs without breaking the bank. If i'm forced to by far more expensive RAM. I'm really trying to figure out my options

 

Thanks again for the help you've given so far.

[justyup]

Like, case in point - here I am looking at a motherboard with the ability to run two processors, but maybe I can accomplish what I'm wanting by simply getting a board that supports one processor?

 

I dunno

[hnzw_rui]

Like, case in point - here I am looking at a motherboard with the ability to run two processors, but maybe I can accomplish what I'm wanting by simply getting a board that supports one processor?

 

I dunno

Lol, whoops. Sorry, I read this after reading countless threads and articles on Hyper-V so I was still in "server-mode".

 

Yes, you can easily accomplish what you want with one processor. If your MacBook Pro can do it, then it's likely a $1,000 desktop will do it faster. My only Hackintosh is an Atom 330-based build, though, so I have no idea what to suggest by way of current desktop parts.

[Zaap]

Overkill.

 

First off, don't assume just any dual socket 771 mobo will work for OSX. As with standard desktop boards there's only a handful that work and that can be installed with the retail DVD.

 

32MB of RAM may sound nice, but FCP won't use more than 4GB. 16GB max is beyond enough for most anything you'll do, even 8GB works fine. 32 is just way overkill, especially when talking expensive FB DIMMS.

 

I recommend you look into a P45 based board for better bang for the buck. Put your money into a really good single processor and lots of standard RAM. My Gigabyte EP45-DQ6 based system is blazing- it supports 16GB of RAM, but I'm fine with 8. I use FinalCut Studio and most of the apps on your list every day professionally on this system. There are a number of GA- EP45-xxxx boards that work perfectly for OSX and will run the apps you want perfectly.

 

You might also look into a newer i7/X58 based system also, although I haven't built one yet so I wouldn't know what to recommend. Pound for pound, a single i7 CPU is said to give dual 771 processors a run for the money.

[justyup]

Wow, thank you so much, Zaap That's what I was wanting to know.

 

I was basing my need for dual processors on the fact that Mac Pros are dual processor systems, so my goal was to build a system as close as possible to that. If that's not needed, however, then awesome. Saves me money, becomes a closer reality.

 

All these apps run fine on my MBP, but with it's 4GB RAM ceiling, I can tell you having more would be great.

 

So, a couple of questions to you amazingly kind people. Again, thank you guys for helping me out. You have no need to, and the courtesy is more appreciated than you can know

 

1) From what I've read of i7, it's pretty potent. Do I need that much power if I don't in fact need a dual processor system?

2) The P45 route sounds nice, simple and very much more affordable. particularly for RAM - so here's the question: Is there a P45 motherboard out there that will easily let me run a simple vanilla retail/close to retail installation of OSX?

 

I've read on this board of some people who've built systems that do in fact allow them to just straight up install OSX without the need of patch after patch. Having the proper system is MORE important than the ease of installation of OSX, but if I can do such, that would be awesome.

 

Thanks again guys!

[justyup]

Alright! So....after doing some reading/researching here, I THINK I've found my two main components:

 

Motherboard: GA-EP45-UD3L

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz

 

So, does anyone see any problems with these as a pair?

 

Couple of other big questions:

 

1) What sort of fan/cooler is good for these things? To make sure they don't run too hot?

 

2) Any suggestion on brand of RAM that's good to go/few problems?

 

3) Same on graphics card - I'm thinking I want a 512MB card for sure. I don't care if it's ATI or nVidia based - just as long as it has few compatibility problems with running a Hackintosh

[justyup]

Okay - I need recommendations, lol.

 

I'm looking to get the fastest graphics card I can, but in particular, something that's going to shine with Apple Color and Motion.

 

Looking at what's compatible with OSX86, or at least, the lists I can find, I've got it narrowed down to two cards:

 

The Radeon 3870 and the geForce 9800 GTX+

 

1) Which is the better card?

2) Is there a better card out there?

 

Thanks

[justyup]

Anyone? Anyone?

[Bit Shoveler]

Lots of people here are using Gigabyte P45 motherboards. I'm one of them. My EP45-DS3R is working well. The EP45-UD3R is popular, highly overclockable, and cheap.

 

Q9550 is an excellent choice but I don't have any personal experience with it, I'm using the older (and cheaper) Q6600.

 

I like the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 cooler. Quiet and very effective. Of course you need a chassis that will flow enough air to let the cooler be effective. Antec 300 flows lots of air and it's only $45 at Micro Center. It also has space for 6 3-1/2" drives, which will be a big help for video production.

 

If you're going to install a lot of RAM don't bother with anything faster than PC2-6400 (800MHz DDR2), because you won't be able to take advantage of the extra speed without a LOT of BIOS tweaking. You won't see a big advantage from the faster speeds either.

 

Can't help with video card suggestions, sorry.

[justyup]

Thanks Shoveler

[justyup]

Okay guys, my systems spec list is above. Can I get some feedback on it?

[Muddy Mudskipper]

I'm just a newb myself but the member weaksauce12 is currently producing a step-by-step guide to the Motherboard: GA-EP45-UD3P.

 

He has a blog here: http://######.com/weaksauce12/?p=9 - download the DS3Lkit, it's for a slightly older board but the Leopard Soup 2.0.pdf inside is an excellent learning tool.

 

I'd stick with a Corsair PSU and Corsair RAM, that's a personal preference though.

[ZoroLives]

Okay - I need recommendations, lol.

 

I'm looking to get the fastest graphics card I can, but in particular, something that's going to shine with Apple Color and Motion.

 

Looking at what's compatible with OSX86, or at least, the lists I can find, I've got it narrowed down to two cards:

 

The Radeon 3870 and the geForce 9800 GTX+

 

1) Which is the better card?

2) Is there a better card out there?

 

Thanks

OK, I am a Newbie here too. I am sooo close to pulling the trigger on my first build. Still getting the nerve, asking the last questions. Here is what I believe is true so far: geForce 9800 GTX+ is well recommended and I am choosing that one.

 

The Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core is about $100 less than the Yorkie you listed. Many have gone the Q6600 route and I probably will too because the Q6600 OCs easily (so I am told) to 3.0 GHz. That seems a best deal to me as you can't get much over 3Ghz to 4GHz max anyway. To put it another way, I am sure going from 2.4 to 3 is a pretty big performance boost. I am less sure going from 3 to 3.2 matters much. Unless you have your heart set on trying to get to 4 or some such, your call. 3.0 seems plenty fast to me for a modern quad chip and for my first hacked build.

 

I am going for the GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard and about 8 gigs of RAM