Nik Louch Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 I am going to build a PC to run OSX on. I have been told that it's quite easy these days, and sticking to a "special" list of hardware is no longer necessary. However, I want to make it as painless as possible. The system needn't be all singing/all dancing - it just needs to work well. I am looking at the following so far: * Shuttle XPC SG31G2, S775, Intel G31 Express, DDR2 667/ 800, PCI-E (x16), SATA 3Gb/s, On Board VGA £179.30 * Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700, S775, Kentsfield, 2.66 GHz, 1066MHz, 8MB Cache, 10x Ratio, 105W, OEM £129.57 * 500 GB Western Digital WD5000AAKS Caviar Blue, SATA 3Gb/s, 7200rpm, 16MB Cache, 8.9 ms £39.89 * Samsung SH-S223B/BEBE 22x DVD±R, 12x DVD±R, DVD+RW x8/-RW x6, SATA, Black, OEM £16.32 * 4GB (2x2GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800), 240 Pins, Non-ECC, Unbuffered, CAS 5-5-5-18 £37.54 TOTAL: £350.10 I know this system is lacking: * Keyboard (I will buy the bluetooth apple keyboard) * Mouse (not sure how to go on that one yet - no major deal) * Bluetooth (I will purchase USB dongle or such once system is working) * Graphics card (Suggestions appreciated - am working to a budget but want something usable for light photoshop/video work) * OS (I will purchase the OSX pack that includes iLife and iWork). Does anyone have any feedback on the above as per: 1) If the components are suited together 2) If the components are suited to a Hackintosh install? Many thanks Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick14 Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 I would recommend Any graphic card from the 8xxx or 9xxx series But i truly recommend The HD4850 or HD4870 Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1200021 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik Louch Posted July 14, 2009 Author Share Posted July 14, 2009 It has been suggested to me that the G31 Express chipset is not supported? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1200045 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick14 Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 it Work but not the build in Graphics Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1200095 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik Louch Posted July 14, 2009 Author Share Posted July 14, 2009 So as long as I add a graphics card, I should face no issues? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1200100 Share on other sites More sharing options...
noNix Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Unless you like loud machines, I would keep away from the Shuttle. Add a 95W processor and a power hungry graphics card and the thing will sound like a hair dryer. The shuttle boards are also not known to be the easiest to hack. If you are looking for a simple trouble free hack there are basically three choices. Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P ATX, GA-P35-DS3L ATX or GA-G31M-ES2L Micro-ATX boards. These are know as the most trouble free and compatible boards out there. Use one of these and Weaksauce12's guides / install kits that include everything you need to get up and running. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1200201 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik Louch Posted July 14, 2009 Author Share Posted July 14, 2009 I will gladly follow any suggestions that people make on here, so thank you for that. I like small systems so am thinking about the GA-G31M-ES2L MicroATX mobo... Can you suggest a discreet slim case for such a mobo - something vaguely attractive? Am maybe considering: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Lian-Li-V30...-Silver-w-o-PSU With reference to noise, yeah, one thing I love about Apple hardware is how you just can't hear it. To that end, was looking at maybe a passively cooled card or one with a decent fan. I don't game AT ALL and so wouldn't need a powerhouse... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1200302 Share on other sites More sharing options...
noNix Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 The GA-G31M-ES2L is a great board, I have that and my setup is practically silent. I invested in a quality powersupply and large 120mm heatsink fan. That case looks good, but the one down side I see is that with the power supply directly above the board you are going to be limited in the height of the heatsink fan that you can use. The spec says that the rear fans are 80mm so my guess is that rules out the use of a super quiet 120mm heatsink, but you might be able to sqeeze a 92mm heatsink in. The best place to look for recomendations on quiet components is silentpcreview.com There are plenty of low power video cards that are also silent. I am using this Asus 8400 GS one. But there are plenty more available. (Sorry these are all US links, but I am sure the same stuff is available in the UK.) Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1200356 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steeley Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 That case looks nice, but it's roughly 30cm cubed so it has a large footprint. The case I'm going to use is - http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_p...oducts_id=10909 That case is only 12cm wide, so it has a small footprint and is small enough to keep on the desktop. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1200365 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaap Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Just know that that's a low-profile case, meaning it has half-height card slots. You need to keep this in mind when choosing any add-on PCI cards, and your video card. You can use only cards that are low-profile ready and that come with the needed low profile bracket(s). (Usually the VGA will be on a ribbon cable with optional second bracket). Basically like in this example. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1200505 Share on other sites More sharing options...
noNix Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 I hate to disagree with Zaap, but everything that I have seen make it look like it accepts standard height cards, it doesnt however accept full length cards but that should not be a problem as most of the silent cards are on the short side. The downside of the case is that it has three 80mm fans and is apparently not particularly quiet. As a result it has been discontinued and replaced with the not so good looking V350 and V351 which uses 120mm fans and is apparently quieter. I guess there is a reason that it is awaiting an ETA and is much lower priced than the current model. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1200539 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaap Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 noNix, I meant the Antec NSK 1480 case that Steely linked to, not the Lian Li case. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1200612 Share on other sites More sharing options...
maco55 Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Then I guess you're down to a regular mid-tower case. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1200617 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik Louch Posted July 15, 2009 Author Share Posted July 15, 2009 I could go with a small tower, but would rather go SFF. The needs are: * Not very loud (silent would be nice but ends up costly and restrictive) * Accommodating of larger fans for lower volumes * Decent, quiet PSU May just settle for this case... http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Coolermaste...TX-Case-w-o-PSU It's not very "Mac" but it seems a competant case... Or maybe this: http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Silverstone...-silver-w-o-PSU Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1200868 Share on other sites More sharing options...
maco55 Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 I like the silverstone one, but ofcourse more expensive. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1200951 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik Louch Posted July 15, 2009 Author Share Posted July 15, 2009 Still within budget though Anyone suggest a nice quiet cooler? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1200957 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomCom Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 You shouldn't buy a small-form-factor case with a 65nm Quad: it's going to burn like hell and you won't have room to cool it properly. If you want a quiet cooler, you'll need a tower. And Corsair XMS memory are slow CL5. For a couple more quids, you could get better G.Skill PK or OCZ Platinum in CL4. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1201139 Share on other sites More sharing options...
maco55 Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 You shouldn't buy a small-form-factor case with a 65nm Quad: it's going to burn like hell and you won't have room to cool it properly. If you want a quiet cooler, you'll need a tower.And Corsair XMS memory are slow CL5. For a couple more quids, you could get better G.Skill PK or OCZ Platinum in CL4. It wouldn't make a huge difference, he doesn't game. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1201159 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomCom Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Price is not much different either, and you can appreciate memory speed each time you're waiting for an app to launch. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1201265 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaap Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Plus better RAM will add that much more future-proofing. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1201326 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik Louch Posted July 16, 2009 Author Share Posted July 16, 2009 While it's true that I'm not a gamer - I will go for the faster memory if it helps - a few quid here and there is not going to break the budget. As for a C2Q in an SFF case - I'm not going with Shuttle anymore, rather one of the 2 cases I posted Would this ease things? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1201695 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomCom Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Yes, it would. The Silverstone case is a bargain; watch the full specs on their website: http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/p_c...=tj08&area= Its two 120mm fans will help a lot. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1201919 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik Louch Posted July 16, 2009 Author Share Posted July 16, 2009 Not quite as sexy but went with this in the end: http://www.scan.co.uk/product.aspx?ProductId=28175 2 * 120mm case fan slots is gonna help Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1201953 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik Louch Posted July 19, 2009 Author Share Posted July 19, 2009 OK so parts are all here, but am holding fire and going to get some gromets for quieter mounting. Also, am I best buying OSX now or waiting for Snow Lep? Finally, anyone recommend a cheaper, but quiet graphics card? As I said, not for gaming more for Photoshop / iMovie... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1204083 Share on other sites More sharing options...
maco55 Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 Buy Leopard now. Drivers/kexts are not ready yeat for SL, even when SL, the drivers will still be premature and there will be people working on the drivers. So when SL is fully supported for a hackintosh, upgrade. gfx card, lol, i thought the 9800 was within budget? Maybe look into the 8600GT without a fan? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/174842-hardware-for-a-simple-shuttle-hackintosh/#findComment-1204184 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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