quagmire Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 Hello Everyone, I've been perusing the boards reading about different hardware setups and i've noticed that some people list their setups as working great or having some small issues. My question is this: Is there any hardware combo/setup out there for under $1000 that runs everything flawlessly? I mean graphics, sound, QE, wireless etc. (I know that you can only be guaranteed perfect compatibility by buying the apple hardware but i'm sure there has to be SOME setup that's working almost as well). I'd like to build a system for around the same cost as a new mac mini but with a decently higher performance capability. If there is anyone out there who has a system (or knows of one) that is working and stable w/o any issues please let me know. Also, if you wouldn't mind just giving a rough ballpark of how that system compares to an imac core duo 2.0 I'd be ever so much more grateful. ...I saw this (http://www.osx86.theplaceforitall.com/howto/) *i hope i can link to that* and the mobo he suggests is reletively inexpensive as well as the processor. Any thoughts on those would be great. Thank you all in advance for your help!! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/17504-is-there-a-flawless-or-otherwise-really-close-hardware-setup/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
bofors Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 Flawless graphics at moment still require either an Intel GMA 900 or 950 on board. Some Intel D915 and D945 boards will get you as close to a perfect Mac-clone as possible right now. If you want the most bang for your buck, you might want to think about overclocking a Pentium D 805: http://forum.osx86project.org/index.php?showtopic=17328 Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/17504-is-there-a-flawless-or-otherwise-really-close-hardware-setup/#findComment-113065 Share on other sites More sharing options...
quagmire Posted May 15, 2006 Author Share Posted May 15, 2006 Flawless graphics at moment still require either an Intel GMA 900 or 950 on board. Some Intel D915 and D945 boards will get you as close to a perfect Mac-clone as possible right now. If you want the most bang for your buck, you might want to think about overclocking a Pentium D 805: http://forum.osx86project.org/index.php?showtopic=17328 sorry... i'm a little bit of a newbie still... what does GMA stand for? I like the idea of over clocking the Pentium D 805 but how safe is that? would it be possible to still get away with using a zalman fan or something similar and not have to resort to water cooling? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/17504-is-there-a-flawless-or-otherwise-really-close-hardware-setup/#findComment-113185 Share on other sites More sharing options...
quagmire Posted May 15, 2006 Author Share Posted May 15, 2006 scratch the GMA question, i did a google search and answered my question still wondering about the other stuff though. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/17504-is-there-a-flawless-or-otherwise-really-close-hardware-setup/#findComment-113220 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bofors Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 I do not know about wireless. Audio on the Intel D945 boards with the SigmaTel 9220 (not the 9223) works fine for output but it comes out the wrong jack. The audio on the D915 boards may be completely perfect, but if you care, you can search the forum (or HCL) for the details. The GMA 900 or 950 is fine for general use but not comparible to the iMac's ATI x1600. Speedwise, by xBench scores, you can easily beat an iMac. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/17504-is-there-a-flawless-or-otherwise-really-close-hardware-setup/#findComment-113257 Share on other sites More sharing options...
quagmire Posted May 15, 2006 Author Share Posted May 15, 2006 is there any way that you could just tack on an x1600 for the extra performance? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/17504-is-there-a-flawless-or-otherwise-really-close-hardware-setup/#findComment-113261 Share on other sites More sharing options...
quixos Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 Is there any hardware combo/setup out there for under $1000 that runs everything flawlessly? i spent 60 dollars on an Asrock P4-Dual 915GL motherboard, 20 dollars on a SATA to IDE Adapter and used the cpu and ram i already owned, the results blow mac mini away. here is one comparison --------------------------------------------------------- MacBook Pro 15" CPU Intel Core Duo @ 2.0GHz [1.667GHz] [sSE3/PAE/XD/VMX/DualCore] L2 Cache 2048K Temp 67c RAM Used 1004.1MB/2.0GB Virtual 621.52M/1024.00M Disk Used 44.55GB/92.85GB Battery: 98.3% Display ATY,RadeonX1600 [256 MB/CI/QE] 1440x900 and 1280x1024@75Hz OS: Mac OS X 10.4.6 (8I1119) Processes: 84 Up 3 days, 7:42 Mul:( Int: 4926108 float: 369003 ) Div:( Int: 277777 float: 211864 ) Bogomips: 2-core @ 3 instr./cycle: 3971, 1-core: 1985 --------------------------------------------------------- ADP P4 CPU 3.00GHz (Running at: 3.01GHz) [sSE2/PAE/HTT] L2 Cache 512K RAM Usage 293MB/1016.0MB Virtual 0.00M/64.00M Disk Usage 217.3GB/335.35GB Display GMA 900 [256 MB/CI/QE] 1280 x 1024 @ 75 Hz OS: Mac OS X 10.4.6 (8I1119) Processes: 45 Up 1:33 Mul:( Int: 7462686 float: 636942 ) Div:( Int: 343642 float: 271002 ) Bogomips: 2-core @ 3 instr./cycle: 13333, 1-core: 6666 don't know what all of it means, but it's looking good. ------------------------------------------------------- of course his video blows mine away, but on the other hand i have a massively overclocked fully functioning mac mini+. if i needed wireless, i could buy the hardware that would allow it. QuickCam 4000 works with iChat, sound etc. i have an x800gt that works with the Callisto driver, but haven't been using it regularly yet. the future looks bright for that solution however. so i'm just saying, you don't have to spend 1000s' to get your feet wet. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/17504-is-there-a-flawless-or-otherwise-really-close-hardware-setup/#findComment-113266 Share on other sites More sharing options...
quagmire Posted May 15, 2006 Author Share Posted May 15, 2006 well... I currently have a windows system with specs as follows: asus p4p800-vm mobo (800mhz fsb HT enabled) 3.0 ghz p4 processor running at 2.997 or somethin like that (not sure exact name and i'm pritty sure it doesn't have sse anything) 2x512 kingston 400mhz pc3200 ram radeon 9700 pro GPU 128mb SB audigy 2 platinum sound card seagate 120gb sata hd sony DRU-510a dvd burner light on dvd/cdrw combo drive I'm selling this system unless I can find a way to make it compatible w/osx. plus i'd kinda like to build one from the ground up that's compatible with osx and windows to minimize headaches. Any ideas? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/17504-is-there-a-flawless-or-otherwise-really-close-hardware-setup/#findComment-113275 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bofors Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 is there any way that you could just tack on an x1600 for the extra performance? The problem is that we are unable to use Apple's ATi x1600 driver yet, because it seems to require EFI, so the card will not work right. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/17504-is-there-a-flawless-or-otherwise-really-close-hardware-setup/#findComment-113276 Share on other sites More sharing options...
quagmire Posted May 15, 2006 Author Share Posted May 15, 2006 do you know if it needs efi to function or if its just another of apple's security things? If it's just a security thing can't it be bypassed like the cpu block? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/17504-is-there-a-flawless-or-otherwise-really-close-hardware-setup/#findComment-113287 Share on other sites More sharing options...
quixos Posted May 15, 2006 Share Posted May 15, 2006 well... I currently have a windows system with specs as follows: asus p4p800-vm mobo (800mhz fsb HT enabled) 3.0 ghz p4 processor running at 2.997 or somethin like that (not sure exact name and i'm pritty sure it doesn't have sse anything) 2x512 kingston 400mhz pc3200 ram seagate 120gb sata hd sony DRU-510a dvd burner light on dvd/cdrw combo drive your CPU has at least SSE2, so it's good, you have the ram, the HD, the dvd/cdrw. all you need is a motherboard with supported video, and sound, networking. i don't work for Asrock or anything, but 60 dollars will buy you a mac. on the other hand, bofors has a nice thread. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/17504-is-there-a-flawless-or-otherwise-really-close-hardware-setup/#findComment-113292 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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