The LT Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 Hello everyone, I am looking for some advice on what to buy for my planned hackintosh. I plan on using it in audio production with Logic Pro 7 and ProTools LE to complement my two mac systems. I want to be able to use USB audio from Digidesign M-Box 2. The box has CoreAudio drivers and works on my G5 and MacBook Pro without a hitch! Actually, I'd like a straight system which won't get obsolete fast. I need dual DVI setup, obviously. What I found out so far is that I should go with a Core 2 Duo CPU for best performance and an Intel motherboard which MAY eventually support Apple EFI firmware. Also, the NVidia 256Mb cards on G70 and earlier chips seem to be the most compatible choice for multi-monitor setups with latest Natit UNI patches. Naturally, I want to get 4Gb RAM into the machine... Internal audio isn't really necessary, but a welcome addition. Please, shed some light on this subject, I know a lot of people who are also interested in such a beast and we would LOVE some feedback from you, experienced users! I am just starting out and I don't want to waste money on incompatible hardware! Thanks in advance, everybody! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/35249-hw-suggestions-for-an-audio-production-hackintosh/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
The LT Posted December 11, 2006 Author Share Posted December 11, 2006 No one has ideas? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/35249-hw-suggestions-for-an-audio-production-hackintosh/#findComment-253034 Share on other sites More sharing options...
blkblt Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 Check the Wiki (for 10.4.8 and 10.4.6 and 10.4.7) and you'll see a lot of professional audio hardware is supported. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/35249-hw-suggestions-for-an-audio-production-hackintosh/#findComment-253099 Share on other sites More sharing options...
aberracus Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 donjt go for intel motherboard try one using a proven compatible ati chipset like 945 or 975 Conroe is a VERY overclockeable beast its nothing you can dismmiss for doing audio work. you are ok with Conroe dont go to high, remember you can overclock, an E6600 is very reliable and can be uped in an asus p5W Deluxe (975 chipset) to 3.4 ghz, and thats faster than a Mac Pro 3.. Invest in good quality memory, patrior or Corsair XMS 800 memory so it doesnt hind your oveclocking. Onboard Sound (and input) thanks to Rauga and Skippy is a reality with Applehda. Softraid is VERY good for Raiding two data disks. the usb will work perfectly, u can use firewire and usb audio devices perfectly. its a noice choice pm if you need anyuthing Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/35249-hw-suggestions-for-an-audio-production-hackintosh/#findComment-253160 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sg Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 the 945 and 975 is an intel chipset. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/35249-hw-suggestions-for-an-audio-production-hackintosh/#findComment-253299 Share on other sites More sharing options...
zam Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 (edited) You didn't specify a budget, but I'll throw some recommendations. It seems that you do have money, as your plannig for 4gig memory. The bottom line is, that if you can afford a real Mac Pro, then go for it - it has pretty reasonable bang for buck considering that it has 4 cores and quality casing. But if you want to go with a hack, then let's not make it unattractrively expensive. Start with 2 gigs of ram and see how it works (3 gig might be the maximum for 945 chipset, at least that is the case with the Macbook Pro). Tried and tested, but also cheap 945 motherboards are for example Asus P5LD2 (only newer versions support Core 2 Duo) and Asrock Conroe945G-DVI (otherwise great but integrated LAN not so stable in Mac OS). Check that your USB sound card has Intel-compatible drivers. The best bang for buck Core 2 Duo is the low end 6300 model, but 6600 is also reasonable and very powerful indeed. I assume that you are not going to overclock - at least I would not if the computer was going to be used in anything more serious than gaming. For audio production you don't need much graphical processing power, so any cheap nVidia card, for example the 7300GT will serve you fine with two monitors. Just check that is has dual DVI. All in all, a P5LD2 + Core 2 Duo E6600 + 2GB + 7300GT should not cost much. And in most cases will bring Mac Pro -class performance. If you just insist on spending more money, you can go with Intel's own 975-chipset motherboards, but there is not much more to gain but support for 800 Mhz memory. And if you want a future-proof Mac OS machine, once again go for a real Mac Pro. All hackintoshes are constantly under the threat of being obsolete if the new Mac OS updates can't be cracked one day, and Leopard is of course a completely another story... So there is no point in spending thousands of bucks on one. Their sweet spot is really in the sub-1k $ class (where apple itself has weak offerings). Remember: The point of building this hackingtosh is probably to save you money, and you can spend that saved money to items more importand for your audio production, like a pair of Genelec speakers, keyboard, etc.... Edit: P. S. : Many people here will recommend you with expensive motherboards and memory, which enable overcloking. You simply don't want to overclock in pro use, and without overclocking practically all RAM and motherborads work just equally fast and well. So there is no idea in paying extra for those. Edited December 12, 2006 by zam Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/35249-hw-suggestions-for-an-audio-production-hackintosh/#findComment-253411 Share on other sites More sharing options...
The LT Posted December 13, 2006 Author Share Posted December 13, 2006 Thanks everyone for the posts! I think that zam has a point! Thanks a lot again, people! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/35249-hw-suggestions-for-an-audio-production-hackintosh/#findComment-254277 Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenchicken Posted December 16, 2006 Share Posted December 16, 2006 (edited) I wouldn't recommend Asrock. I have used many and they are prone to breaking without warning (well if you're lucky, some will last you a long way tho). Yes they are cheap but just think about it - they're Asus' low-line. Stay way from Asrock, ECS, Albatron, Jetway, if you want to build a pro system. Plus, Asrock tends to use dodgier chipsets, usually rather limited. I have an AMD Asrock board that will only let me use 512mb of RAM when I install 1GB of DDR in dual-channel mode. Aaaah, uLi chipsets! I am serious about music as well, I will recommend Asus or Gigabyte. Good and tested motherboard brands. Personally I have a P5LD2 Deluxe from Asus, everything is working fine with latest 10.4.8 (just had to patch it for Ethernet and Audio, takes about 15 mins). I will have to disagree on Zam about memory and motherboards being mostly the same. Music is my hobbie but I work and study in IT, and have assembled many high-end and many "no-name memory, asrock motherboard". Guess which break first. Edited December 16, 2006 by zenchicken Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/35249-hw-suggestions-for-an-audio-production-hackintosh/#findComment-256177 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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