Thread: Finally able to start a new project - HackTheMac II - Need some input

Hi all!
I was planning to do this ages ago (more than a year) but unfortunately couldn't afford it. Now I can. So, here we go: HackTheMac II should be a complete new machine (the old one in my sig will still be needed).

Here are my priorities:
- It should be fast, but fast is not the only goal (speed/price ratio is very important)
- I am not interested in over clocking, the native speed is all I need (Browsing, eMail, Office, Parallels, Aperture, in order of needs)
- It should be quiet, as quiet as possible. Well, even quieter (passive cooling is a "must have")
- It should last, I use my machines for a few years (old boards not qualified)
- I prefer all additional kexts I might need in my /Extra/Extensions folder and my OS X vanilla (if humanly possible) with no changes in S/L/E
- GPU should be supported natively or with the use of GraphicsEnabler=yes in org.chameleon.Boot.plist
- Onboard Ethernet should be supported natively or with the use of EthernetBuiltIn=yes in org.chameleon.Boot.plist
- Sound - if possible - also natively or with additional kexts in /Extra/Extensions (without changing S/L/E)

I was thinking of i7 with 1155 socket, preferably on an GigaByte board (widely available, also in my country. Many versions also have optimized DSDT's all over the place), ATI Radeon GPU with 2xDVI (since natively supported for Mac Pro and I use 2 24 inch displays with 1920x1200 resolution. But ATI's are very expensive. So, I am open for any newer NVIDIA as well. I use one with no issues so far), 16GB RAM (32GB?!), 120GB SSD as a boot device with OS X only (data extra). SATA3 (eSATA, mSATA?) USB3 is OK but not "must have". But there are so many suggestions (and I really read many) for a hackintosh that I am a bit lost. So, I ask you for help.

In ideal world I would buy all components, put them together, insert two of my old HD's (boot and TimeMachine) download the optimized DSDT and all kexts I need, put them on my Chameleon stick and boot from it into my old HD with Lion 10.7.3 11D50. With no KP's or any other issues. Everything working. Nice, no?

OK, I know we are not living in the ideal world. But what components would come near to my "ideal configuration"?

All input will be greatly appreciated!!!!

Many thanks!
Ski

Bump! Nudge!
Hey people, I'd really like to hear from you!
Even if you do not suggest anything but just have a plain "avoid x board, y cpu or z GPU, it gives trouble" to offer.
Any constructive input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

With Lion all kexts should be in /S/L/E, because you will use kernelcache=yes. This is the same as "Extensions.mkext" in Snow Leopard. So no kexts in /E/E.
In /Extra you will have
dsdt.aml
org.chameleon.Boot.plist
smbios.plist
and the themes folder

For Lan, only EthernetBuiltIn=yes will not do the job. You will need Lnx2Mac's RealtekRTL81xx.
For sound you will always have to do the normal changes for AppleHDA (HDA Wizard with Info.plist, layout889.xml and Platforms.xml). And you never know what Apple will change in the future.

Gigabyte motherboard is always best. I'm very satisfied with my GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3. There are many guids for this board (even kakewalk).
GPU silent with 2x DVI? Can't find one that also is easy to install.
I have a Gigabyte HD6850 (2 fans, very quiet) and easy to install (chameleon with GraphicsEnabler=Yes) And 2x DVI 1920x1200 working (with Apple Cinema Displays).
The HD6850 is not that expensive (see newegg):
tonymacx86 Blog: CustoMac
16Gb is OK, 32Gb is not worth the money for me.
On most Gigabyte's USB3 will work (Eltron EJ168 chip).

And DSDT, best way is to use Auto Patcher.
And to install Lion, our friend kyndder has made a very nice guide:
http://www.osx86.net/guides-tutorial...installer.html

My advise is first to go for a clean install. Don't use the SATA3 to boot from, use the SATA2 controller.

But for sure, to be continued . . .

Thanks Rene!
I already though no one is taking notice.

Originally Posted by Rene

With Lion all kexts should be in /S/L/E, because you will use kernelcache=yes. This is the same as "Extensions.mkext" in Snow Leopard. So no kexts in /E/E.
In /Extra you will have
dsdt.aml
org.chameleon.Boot.plist
smbios.plist
and the themes folder

Exactly as i am doing at the moment. I was hoping this might be the thing of the past. I was kinda fan of USB boot stick with all needed stuff on it (long story, involving endless loop with screwed up Chameleon HD config, endig with a complete new installation. For an umpteenth time!)
However, I am a friend of clean /S/L/E. And having all those kexts polluting it, is a real nightmare for me.

Originally Posted by Rene

For Lan, only EthernetBuiltIn=yes will not do the job. You will need Lnx2Mac's RealtekRTL81xx.
For sound you will always have to do the normal changes for AppleHDA (HDA Wizard with Info.plist, layout889.xml and Platforms.xml). And you never know what Apple will change in the future.

Again, the same thing I already use for my MoBo now. I was hoping there might be more compatible boards out there by now.

Originally Posted by Rene

Gigabyte motherboard is always best. I'm very satisfied with my GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3. There are many guids for this board (even kakewalk).
GPU silent with 2x DVI? Can't find one that also is easy to install.
I have a Gigabyte HD6850 (2 fans, very quiet) and easy to install (chameleon with GraphicsEnabler=Yes) And 2x DVI 1920x1200 working (with Apple Cinema Displays).

Wow, firs recommendation fo a board! Thanks for that!
Now, silent is a big thing with me and I need two 1920x1200 as well. Cool! So, your GPU sounds promising: second really good information! Merci Buckets!

Originally Posted by Rene

The HD6850 is not that expensive (see newegg):
tonymacx86 Blog: CustoMac
16Gb is OK, 32Gb is not worth the money for me.
On most Gigabyte's USB3 will work (Eltron EJ168 chip).

OK, 16GB is what I know I need (Parallels Virtual Machines), 32GB is only if the rest of the machine is not above the budget.

Originally Posted by Rene

And DSDT, best way is to use Auto Patcher.

I thought this project is dead?! At least that what I understood reading MalD0ns messages. Nice to hear that it's still alive and kickin'. Where?

Originally Posted by Rene

And to install Lion, our friend kyndder has made a very nice guide:
http://www.osx86.net/guides-tutorial...installer.html

Yup, know it and like it.

Originally Posted by Rene

My advise is first to go for a clean install. Don't use the SATA3 to boot from, use the SATA2 controller.

That's what I hoped to avoid. I wanted to do my first boot with an USB stick and my 10.7.3 HD (ethernet and sound patch already applied in /S/L/E) and move from there (clone my HD to SSD). But a valid proposal.

Originally Posted by Rene

But for sure, to be continued . . .

I hope so!

Many thanks Rene!
Ski

You can always give the kext a colour to see that it is installed manually.

If you buy memory pay attention to the highth of the memory module. It can give trouble when mounting a CPU cooler. The cooler can block the memory slot so you can only use 2 slots. And a small cooler is not an option because you want a silent system.



Low Profile

High Profile

Auto Patcher:
olarila.com - DSDT Auto-Patcher (app only)
olarila.com - Patches

Patches: olarila.com Patches
You have to register (it's free) to download the Patches
You will need to install Java.

With the first install I meant you should first try a clean install to see what you have to do.
Backup the kexts/extra folder, wipe the disk and do it your way.

Or you can always try the migration tool (Utility folder) after a clean install.

You can use any Gigabyte Z68 board. Just look if there is a Patch and it has a Realtek ALC889 codec (Audio) and Realtek RTL8111E chip (LAN)

Thanks Rene,
valuable tips. Especially the CPU cooler. I think I need to go with 2x8GB RAM, just to be on the safe side.
I will try a clean install, since I want to put OS X and Programs on my SSD and the user data on my HD.

Thanks again, I really appreciate it!
Ski

Well, I was reading a lot, followed some tips and finally ordered my new HackMac.
Here is what is on the way:

• GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD4 (Socket 1155 Intel® Z68 Express) Motherboard
• Intel® CoreTM i7-2600K (4x 3400 MHz) Socket 1155 CPU
• Prolimatech Genesis CPU Cooler (including 2x140mm Blue Vortex Low Speed Fans)
• Corsair Vengeance LP DIMM 16GB DDR3-1600 Dual Channel Memory, Quad-Kit RAM (LP - Low Profile)
• ATI PCIe SAPPHIRE HD 6870 FLEX (AMD Radeon HD 6870) 1GB GPU
• OCZ Vertex3 2,5" 120 GB (SATA3) TRIM SSD
• Sony Optiarc DVD/DVD-RW (24x/8x/12x)
• Thermaltake Overseer RX-I Case (4x200mm fan, 2x120mm fan 12-15dBA)
• Corsair HX650W (650 Watt) Power Supply Unit
• be quiet! SoundProofing Kit for Midi-Tower case - universal

I have 2x1TB and 1x1,5TB Samsung HD's out of my old machine, which I will take over.

It was the best deliverable price/performance ratio I could get. I would have preferred one or the other component differently, but it was a) not in stock (like some boards used by the most hackintoshers with Z68 Express chip set) or b) prohibitive in price (like other SSD or 4x8GB or even 2x8GB Dual Channel RAM).

However, I still hope I ordered me a nice hackintosh.

Now I need to prepare a boot stick, with all things set and ready (DSDT, smbios.plist, etc.) and hope not too many obstacles would await me on the way to my new HackMac.
Ideally, I will boot from stick with all things working, install Lion on my SSD, configure my user space on HD and - just enjoy the new machine. Alas, not all dreams come trough. I expect issues will arise.

If you use something of the kit I ordered and would like to share your experience - I would greatly appreciate it!

THX!

EDIT: I don't know how and why this "ad" thingy came into this post but I am NOT responsible for that!
EDIT2: Seems to be gone now. Go figure!

Hy Skipper!!!

Nice Hack!!!



The probability to have any kind of issues on this machine is almost Zero...

Originally Posted by kyndder

Hy Skipper!!!

Nice Hack!!!

Thanks kyndder! It was a loooong process, but the result really pleases me too.

Originally Posted by kyndder

The probability to have any kind of issues on this machine is almost Zero...

Well, that was kinda a whole point of the exercise: using the time (until i got the money together) to find components which are widely supported by the community, up-to-date in terms of available technology and then even affordable.
Whatever I compare it to in terms of performance (iMac or Mac Pro) this baby will not need to be ashamed!

In terms of issues (or no issues), i'll report how everything pans out when the machine is delivered and everything is installed.

Sweet!