BoomR's HTPC Build - i7 2600K - GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 - 8GB RAM

[BoomR]

I've also converted my 1st hackintosh in a HacHTPC (see my signature block for the build description) which is probably too much computer power for a HTPC. So, anything newer is a hobby.

Do you have a link to your Cube build? I'm wrapping up my own Cube 2.0 hack using the ASRock H77M-ITX. I'd love to see/read about your build!

And speaking of hobbies, I think I may need a 12-step program. I'm already thinking about excuses to build another machine (that would make #5 for me) LOL

 

[Stork]

See eelhead's build in Customization forum section. I duplicated his efforts. I also have a stock Cube running 9.2.2 (which is really fast on that PPC). Fun bookends.

 

[BoomR]

Gotcha - I like a lot of stuff that he did on his for sure. And especially liked the great video clips showing everything in action.

Here's my build: http://tonymacx86.com/viewtopic.php?f=76&t=64284

Currently the only outstanding things yet to iron out are: 1) Getting audio over HDMI, and 2) hooking up the original touch-sensor power switch.

I've got a hardware power switch that is working fine right now, so that gives me the luxury of focusing on the operational/functional part. Mieze is assisting me with an edited DSDT. That, along with Toleda's Interim AppleHDA audio kext. Still trying to get it ironed out. I get good analog audio from the backplane output to my Bose 2.0 computer speakers. Still no joy on the HDMI audio to my HDTV's speakers...

 

[mikey101]

Great build! What kind of cpu cooler are you using? Have you tried any overclocking? I want to build this same system but I'd like to overclock the cpu to 4.5ghz. I just don't know what cpu coolers fit in the case, there's not much information about it.

Check out the pics - you'll see I'm using the stock in-box CPU fan. There is enough space for that one to fit, so it saved me some $$$. In time, I may explore some low-profile/low-noise fans.

As for overclocking, this machine is basically just a media player (Plex) and BD player using MacGo's BluRay Player. It's got MORE than enough horsepower as-is to run those apps. I've got my entire BD library converted to MP4's/M4V's and sitting on my NAS, so I stream that content, plus use this for Hulu, Netflix, etc through Plex Media Center.

To be honest, using an i7 2600K is probably a bit of overkill. An i3 or i5 would have worked just as well. But that's just my $0.02 worth

Thanks for the info! I should be able to find a cooler that's the same height now that I know it's the stock one. I'll also be using it as a media player on my TV, but I also do music production in my living room as well so I need tons of speed. No need for a video card though since I don't do any gaming on it.

 

[BoomR]

No need for a video card though since I don't do any gaming on it.

I've been doing music production for a LONG time on the Mac. Suffice it to say that many of the top DAW applications on Mac (ProTools, Logic, Digital Performer, etc) can be very graphics-intensive...esp if you have multiple windows open (mixer, editor, plug-ins, VSTs, etc) simultaneously + are playing, recording, or rendering. I would ALWAYS recommend a video card with any music, video, or photo production app.

You won't need a gaming-class card, but something current... maybe single-slot width, and 1GB RAM. It'll be worth the extra $45... One good option is the one in my HTPC build - that ASUS ATI Radeon HD6450 card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121439
No fan (so quiet), 1GB memory, works OoB (no extra tweaking required).

Just something to think about... Good luck man!!

 

[Stork]

...I would ALWAYS recommend a video card with any music, video, or photo production app...

Now, for my hobby purposes, I use GargeBand to record my guitar practice sessions on Zorro which uses HD 3000. But, as I said, there's just the 3 of us - me, myself and I.

I must confess that HD 3000 impressed me. Here's the Tom's H/W site's graphics card hierarchy table: Graphics Card Hierarchy Chart : Best Graphics Cards For The Money: June 2012.

I started out using HD 3000 to help tonymacx86 with some Beta testing last year and stuck with it. However, I might look into your ATI 6450 an inexpensive alternative to HD 3000/4000.

 

[BoomR]

Now, for my hobby purposes, I use GargeBand to record my guitar practice sessions on Zorro which uses HD 3000. But, as I said, there's just the 3 of us - me, myself and I.

Ahhh..that's cool, then. I've used GB maybe a couple dozen times to do stuff for day-job-work (since they're too cheap to pony up for Logic). You should be totally cool with HD3000 graphics with that one, then BUT...if you find that you do need a little extra video horsepower, you can't go wrong with that ASUS card IMHO!

--B

 

[mikey101]

You won't need a gaming-class card, but something current... maybe single-slot width, and 1GB RAM. It'll be worth the extra $45... One good option is the one in my HTPC build - that ASUS ATI Radeon HD6450 card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121439
No fan (so quiet), 1GB memory, works OoB (no extra tweaking required).

Just something to think about... Good luck man!!

Thanks! I'm thinking about getting this card since it may have less heat issues..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814133356

Also, I'm confused, on this page it says 'Maximum height of motherboard with CPU cooler = 57.15mm or 2.25 inches
http://www.shop.perfecthometheater.com/ ... C-e5-B.htm

But according to the comments in this youtube page, just the stock cooler itself is 60mm or? 2.36 inches (that's the only place I could find where it told the height of the cooler)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmHeutnIon0

 

[BoomR]

I'd double-check the specs on the Wesena web site. As you can see by my pics, the stock cooler fits perfectly...

 

[digiboy]

Hi BoomR -- Love your case, I might have to seriously consider a Wesena for my next build.

Quick question, I'm still putting my rig together and I purchased an Optiarc BC-5650H drive. Did you do anything special to get your drive working? I get this error when I attempt to play a movie through mine: "Valid video device could not be found for playback (-70017).