- Joined
- Feb 8, 2015
- Messages
- 81
- Motherboard
- MSI Z97 Gaming 7
- CPU
- i5-4460 3.2 GHz
- Graphics
- Asus Strix GTX 960 2GB
- Mac
- Classic Mac
- Mobile Phone
Hello Tonymacx86 Community!
NEWS UPDATE: Clover guide Completed Click here: http://www.tonymacx86.com/yosemite-...97-gaming-7-i5-4460-asus-strix-gtx-960-a.html
I have just completed my first build and wanted to share it and how I did it.
Silent Beast Pictures:
Buy List:
My Wife chose the case and she knows next to nothing about computers. She just thought it "looked okay" I told her that she was amazing because it was clean and was a silent case. and it looked sexy. The build of the case is pretty durable as well and it comes with 4 fans installed that are very quite. I left my build on for 24 hours and even playing for 4-5 of them I haven't heard a peep expect for my graphics card. get into that later.
MOBO:
Found it was compatible over at http://www.tonymacx86.com/bios-uefi/143167-msi-9-series-motherboards-os-x-setup-configuration.html I will take no credit for his post and any help that went into it. Just want to share my config and what I did.
The process:
*Info found here: http://www.tonymacx86.com/bios-uefi/143167-msi-9-series-motherboards-os-x-setup-configuration.html added things will be highlighted RED so to show that is my input and not tony macs
BIOS Settings
Firstly, it's a good idea to grab the latest BIOS from MSI website and put it on another flash drive to m-flash it (search if you don't know how)and set BIOS according to the screenshots below. For simplicity, here are the main things to set:
1. Load Optimized Defaults
2. Set Overclocking/CPU Features/CFG Lock to Disabled
3. Set Overclocking/CPU Features/VT-d to Disabled
4. Save configuration and reset
Load Optimized Defaults
OC/CPU Features
Overclocking/CPU Features/CFG Lock Disabled
CFG lock Disabled
Overclocking/CPU Features/VT-d Disabled
Save configuration and reset
Installation
Installation is done using the default UniBeast guide. It's exactly the same as any other board. I needed only to boot with -v, only reason i did that was to make sure if i got a KP or hang I knew where it was. But it booted with ease. Follow Tonys install to get though, total time it took me to in stall was 10-12 min.
MultiBeast Settings
Post-installation is done using MultiBeast, as with many other boards it can vary based on Audio/Network/Graphics. Here's an example configuration for the Z97-Gaming 9 AC Z97-Gaming 7 using Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics. Please note, until Apple releases a new Mac with 9-series chipset, temporary fixes will be necessary for both Audio and HD 4600 on any 9 series motherboard. I think the fixes have been added since Tonys original post so here is what i chose for MultiBeast config. DO NOT RESTART YET!
This is bare minimum to get everything running and later after we install the Asus Strix GTX 960 we will have a different load out of the MB.
THE NEXT STEP:
Go here : http://www.tonymacx86.com/graphics/...ate-graphics-drivers-10-10-2-343-02-02-a.html
the new Security Update 2015-002 Have broken the nVidia Drivers explained here http://www.tonymacx86.com/os-x-updates/159160-security-update-2015-002-a.html , and you can go there and get the newest web drivers.
Go here for CUDA Drivers http://www.nvidia.com/object/mac-driver-archive.html
Make sure to get the latest CUDA drivers and install Cuda first and them the Nvidia web drivers. The Web ons will force a restart Don't do it yet just ignore the window;
A word from tony:
"1. Open Finder
2. Navigate to /Extra/org.chameleon.Boot.plist
3. Open in TextEdit
4. Add nvda_drv=1 to Kernel Flags as shown:
Example Usage:
5. Save and reboot
You should be on the new NVIDIA drivers."
NOW if the lines are already there then fine go ahead and restart and REMOVE THE USB with your unibeast on it.
You should be treated with Chimera and just boot right in with -v just to make sure everything is still working, and no kernel panic happens. If no KP happens move to, LAST LAST STEP. If you get a KP manual shut down and reload using "nv_disable=1" (no quotes) will get you back into the loading screen, usually if you can't get to the desktop it is because you needed to add the kernel flag and string. here is what my plist looks like:
LAST LAST STEP:
Once this is done, and you can successfully load into the desktop make sure you select this:
Otherwise you'll load after install graphics card with 7-8mb for memory because your still selecting default drivers and it boots the graphics into some sort of safe mode. Shut down again and then install the Graphics card. Then start it up and you should be just fine. I ran LOL at a constant 60 FPS on medium settings. I could probably get better but this is just fine for me
Here is a screen of my About this mac window:
If you screen shows you have 7-8 mb on your graphics it is because you missed the kernel flags in plist and i would check them again and to select NVIDIA WED DRIVERS in the nvidia control panel or on the task bar:
Update: When you need to update your webdrivers you may need to open Multibeast and select Mac Pro 3,1 in the system definitions only and reboot before getting the newest webdriver. This is because iMac's do not run these cards and Web Driver install is not compatible for iMac. After you update just through the iMac 14,2 only in MB and reboot you will be fine.
This is what the final MB setting should look like, if some of these you loaded into the first MB run through ignore and only select what is new.
Changing to iMac 14,2 allowed me to have audio after sleep, but sometimes I only get half volume! still have not figured this out yet.
Finale About this mac:
Here is my Benchmark on extreme settings. I usually play on Low or medium and this same Benchmark on low settings tripled the frame rate:
Please recommend if this work for you! Leave a comment if help is needed! Hoping to build more! Happy Trails.
Original thread: http://www.tonymacx86.com/yosemite-...7mx-gaming-5-i5-4460-gtx-960-first-build.html changed a lot at first i was going for a gigabyte board. MSI was chosen for the color scheme.
Second Build: Silent Cheap Beast: Will post guide soon it is a MSI Z97 SLI Kraken MOBO. WITH BUILD PICTURES!
NEWS UPDATE: Clover guide Completed Click here: http://www.tonymacx86.com/yosemite-...97-gaming-7-i5-4460-asus-strix-gtx-960-a.html
I have just completed my first build and wanted to share it and how I did it.
Silent Beast Pictures:
Buy List:
| CPU: Intel i5-4460 3.2 GHz | $189.99 | Newegg |
| MOBO:MSI Z97 Gaming 7 LGA1150 | $169.99 | Newegg |
| Graphics: ASUS STRIX-GTX960-DC2OC-2 2GB | $209.99 | Newegg |
| SSD: Samsung EVO 850-Series 120GB | $79.99 | Newegg |
| HDD: Western Digital Blue WD10EZEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive Bare Drive | $54.99 | Newegg |
| RAM: PNY XLR8 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model MD8192SD3-1600-X9 | $50-80 | Bestbuy |
| Power: Rosewill Glacier Series Glacier 700M | $89.99 | Newegg |
| Case: NEW NZXT H440 STEEL Black/Red (Wife's Choice) | $119.99 | Newegg |
| Cooling: Stock air and case fans | -FREE- | |
| Monitor: SAMSUNG S24D300H Black 24" LED | $149.99 | Newegg |
TOTAL PRICE $1,113.96 + ~$70(RAM)= ~$1,183.96 shipping included
Case: http://www.nzxt.com/product/detail/143-h440-performance-mid-tower.html
My Wife chose the case and she knows next to nothing about computers. She just thought it "looked okay" I told her that she was amazing because it was clean and was a silent case. and it looked sexy. The build of the case is pretty durable as well and it comes with 4 fans installed that are very quite. I left my build on for 24 hours and even playing for 4-5 of them I haven't heard a peep expect for my graphics card. get into that later.
MOBO:
Found it was compatible over at http://www.tonymacx86.com/bios-uefi/143167-msi-9-series-motherboards-os-x-setup-configuration.html I will take no credit for his post and any help that went into it. Just want to share my config and what I did.
The process:
- Assemble all part together. EXCEPT the graphics card. You can leave it out for now.
- Make sure you have a 8GB flash drive made following this guide: http://www.tonymacx86.com/yosemite-...-x-yosemite-any-supported-intel-based-pc.html
- Start pot of coffee because this is about to get real.
*Info found here: http://www.tonymacx86.com/bios-uefi/143167-msi-9-series-motherboards-os-x-setup-configuration.html added things will be highlighted RED so to show that is my input and not tony macs
BIOS Settings
Firstly, it's a good idea to grab the latest BIOS from MSI website and put it on another flash drive to m-flash it (search if you don't know how)and set BIOS according to the screenshots below. For simplicity, here are the main things to set:
1. Load Optimized Defaults
2. Set Overclocking/CPU Features/CFG Lock to Disabled
3. Set Overclocking/CPU Features/VT-d to Disabled
4. Save configuration and reset
Load Optimized Defaults
OC/CPU Features
Overclocking/CPU Features/CFG Lock Disabled
CFG lock Disabled
Overclocking/CPU Features/VT-d Disabled
Save configuration and reset
Installation is done using the default UniBeast guide. It's exactly the same as any other board. I needed only to boot with -v, only reason i did that was to make sure if i got a KP or hang I knew where it was. But it booted with ease. Follow Tonys install to get though, total time it took me to in stall was 10-12 min.
MultiBeast Settings
Post-installation is done using MultiBeast, as with many other boards it can vary based on Audio/Network/Graphics. Here's an example configuration for the Z97-Gaming 9 AC Z97-Gaming 7 using Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics. Please note, until Apple releases a new Mac with 9-series chipset, temporary fixes will be necessary for both Audio and HD 4600 on any 9 series motherboard. I think the fixes have been added since Tonys original post so here is what i chose for MultiBeast config. DO NOT RESTART YET!
This is bare minimum to get everything running and later after we install the Asus Strix GTX 960 we will have a different load out of the MB.
THE NEXT STEP:
Go here : http://www.tonymacx86.com/graphics/...ate-graphics-drivers-10-10-2-343-02-02-a.html
the new Security Update 2015-002 Have broken the nVidia Drivers explained here http://www.tonymacx86.com/os-x-updates/159160-security-update-2015-002-a.html , and you can go there and get the newest web drivers.
Go here for CUDA Drivers http://www.nvidia.com/object/mac-driver-archive.html
Make sure to get the latest CUDA drivers and install Cuda first and them the Nvidia web drivers. The Web ons will force a restart Don't do it yet just ignore the window;
A word from tony:
"1. Open Finder
2. Navigate to /Extra/org.chameleon.Boot.plist
3. Open in TextEdit
4. Add nvda_drv=1 to Kernel Flags as shown:
Example Usage:
Code:
[COLOR=#000000]<key>Kernel Flags</key>
<string>nvda_drv=1</string>[/COLOR]You should be on the new NVIDIA drivers."
NOW if the lines are already there then fine go ahead and restart and REMOVE THE USB with your unibeast on it.
You should be treated with Chimera and just boot right in with -v just to make sure everything is still working, and no kernel panic happens. If no KP happens move to, LAST LAST STEP. If you get a KP manual shut down and reload using "nv_disable=1" (no quotes) will get you back into the loading screen, usually if you can't get to the desktop it is because you needed to add the kernel flag and string. here is what my plist looks like:
LAST LAST STEP:
Once this is done, and you can successfully load into the desktop make sure you select this:
Here is a screen of my About this mac window:
Update: When you need to update your webdrivers you may need to open Multibeast and select Mac Pro 3,1 in the system definitions only and reboot before getting the newest webdriver. This is because iMac's do not run these cards and Web Driver install is not compatible for iMac. After you update just through the iMac 14,2 only in MB and reboot you will be fine.
This is what the final MB setting should look like, if some of these you loaded into the first MB run through ignore and only select what is new.
Changing to iMac 14,2 allowed me to have audio after sleep, but sometimes I only get half volume! still have not figured this out yet.
Finale About this mac:
Here is my Benchmark on extreme settings. I usually play on Low or medium and this same Benchmark on low settings tripled the frame rate:
Please recommend if this work for you! Leave a comment if help is needed! Hoping to build more! Happy Trails.
Original thread: http://www.tonymacx86.com/yosemite-...7mx-gaming-5-i5-4460-gtx-960-first-build.html changed a lot at first i was going for a gigabyte board. MSI was chosen for the color scheme.
Second Build: Silent Cheap Beast: Will post guide soon it is a MSI Z97 SLI Kraken MOBO. WITH BUILD PICTURES!
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