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Semi-silent i7 build in G5 case.

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May 10, 2014
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Motherboard
ASUS Z97-K
CPU
Intel Core i7-4790k
Graphics
ASUS STRIX GeForce GTX 750TI
Mac
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Classic Mac
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Proposed Semi-silent i7 build in G5 case. Any advice?

Hoping to get the community’s excellent advice on my proposed build. This is the first time I’ve built a hackintosh from scratch. I have a decent amount of experience using a hackintosh on laptops, so the software side of things is not novel to me, and I have built PCs before, but it has been probably close to 15 years since I’ve done so, and so a lot has obviously changed.

The goals/needs for this build are as follows:
-Decently future proof - right now we have a mid 2011 iMac, which is starting to show its age sooner than I would have hoped, and the inability to upgrade anything is largely driving me to build my own.
-Stable (performance and ease of software upgrades) - this is going to be the main family computer, and will be used daily by my wife. So the usual hesitations to install updates etc apply, but I don’t want to stray too far afield from what has been tested and known to work well.
-Good appearance. This will live in a nook off the living room, and be on a desktop in plain sight.
-Quiet. I’m no sound engineer or anything like that, but I just personally loathe loud machines. Plus it will be up on the desktop next to the monitor and such, so only about 3 feet away from the user.
-4k display. Might as well.

Primary uses are just general day to day computer, we do a fair amount of photos and minimal editing, surfing, etc. But my wife also will use this for data analysis, some coding, etc. So needs to be reasonably beefy in the horsepower department.


Parts in mind:

G5 case to mod - with Mountain mods tray or Laser Hive 120 low kit.

mATX mobo, either ASUS Gryphon Z97 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K2R6BT0/

or maybe if I see a compelling reason to spend more, the MSI Z97M Gaming http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K23BY6Y/

I would actually prefer to stick with a Gigabyte board, but don't see any mATX boards by them with a DisplayPort. I may bite the bullet and go to ATX (which means more modding to the case I believe) so I can get the Gigabyte GA-Z97X-SOC http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JKCHERQ/

Not sure if I even need a dedicated video card with these motherboard choices. Will be driving a 4K monitor, likely this ASUS PB287Q. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KJGY3TO/

I’m very out of the game on graphics cards. Will not likely be doing any gaming on this thing, and looks like both mobo can drive this monitor at 60Hz. If I did need one I’m open to suggestions, and an explanation as to why I need it.

Tempted by the Seasonic 520W Fanless power supply http://www.amazon.com/Seasonic-SS-520FL-Fanless-Platinum-ATX12V/dp/B009VV56TO/ but have some placement concerns. I think if I place this at the bottom of the G5 case the heat will vent up, where case fans can push it out the back of the case. If this seems like a bad idea, I could default to a Corsair AX 760 PSU. http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Professional-Modular-Platinum-Supply/dp/B00A0HZMEM/

32GB Corsair Vengeance LP DDR3 1600MHZ http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-Desktop-Memory-CML32GX3M4A1600C10/dp/B0088JQ2Z2/

i7-4790K http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KPRWAX8/
or
i7-4790S http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J6F5LR2/

Had been tempted by a Nofan CPU cooler http://www.amazon.com/NoFan-CR-95C-Copper-IcePipe-Fanless/dp/B009OXB1ZM/ but I have some concerns about using this in a G5 case that isn’t designed necessarily for this. See people primarily use them in cases designed for passive cooling. Any thoughts?

The alternative would be this Noctua 6 Heatpipe fan. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003JME1CO/

1TB SSD - Samsung 850 EVO http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OBRFFAS/

Case fans: With the Mountain Mod tray I need two 80mm fans at the back. Was planning on using two Noctua NF-A8 at the back. http://www.amazon.com/Noctua-NF-A8-ULN-Premium-80mm/dp/B00NEMGCRQ/

or if I go with the Laser Hive kit a 120mm Noctua PWM fan at the back. At the front I was thinking of a couple of 120mm fans or maybe just one larger 140mm fan, also likely from Noctua.

I think that about covers the parts. Open to any suggestions, and please point out any incompatibilities or errors I have made. It’s been a very long time since I’ve built a PC. Also if there are any areas where you see my parts selection being overkill, I'm game to look at less costly but equally effective options.
 
Well, I got the case. $10 at a local recycler. Can't beat that. Any thoughts on the rest of the (far more expensive stuff) to go in it?
 
Well, I got the case. $10 at a local recycler. Can't beat that. Any thoughts on the rest of the (far more expensive stuff) to go in it?

I would get an Nvidia GTX 750 Ti (one from the buyer's guide) so that you can use the DP output
to your 4K monitor. I wouldn't rely on the onboard HD4600 for that. Then you still have the option
to use a Gigabyte mATX board even if it doesn't have DP output. You may also want to post some
of your ?'s in the G5 case mods section so those with experience can give you some advice on
what will work best in that case. :thumbup:
 
Hmmm. That's a good idea. I had limited myself to DP containing boards. If I don't do that I have an almost overwhelming # of options. Any particular Gigabyte mATX you like? Specs are not that important to me, as they can all manage the 32GB of RAM, but compatibility is the main goal (Qualcomm ethernet being a problem for example).
 
Any reason to think that this ASUS graphics card wouldn't work. Not on the buyer's guide, which makes me nervous I must say, but same Nvidia chip, and looks to be a very quiet option.

ASUS STRIX-GTX750TI-OC-2GD5
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M9ZZ1Z8/

I have seen a number of people using the 960 and 970 Strix cards with success, couldn't find any reports of the older and less powerful 750. I could go to the newer cards if they're more likely to work, but I don't think I really need it.
 
Hey Lazurus, had a look at your build.
32gb of ram, wow thats a lot are you doing any 3d animation or heavy HD/4k video editing? Might be overkill for an everyday computer just now. i would buy 16gb of quality RAM now and possibly upgrade to 32gb if needed.

I would also agree with trs96. If you want to drive a 4k monitor an intel IGP may not be enough. An Nvidia 750 ti would handle that much better (without possible lag or tearing).

Looks solid though. I am also thinking of the MSI Z97M too. I probably wont need SLI, but, have had good experience with their laptops.
 
I gotta warn you about using a fanless CPU cooler with that CPU. Even with the stock Intel cooler my i7 4790k would hit the TJMaxx of 100°C; you can see in my build that I'm using a dual fan Noctua cooler that keeps it around 60° max.
 
Yeah, I think the nofan cooler is the weakest link in that build. Probably better to go with some Noctua option
 
Hey, I also have a G5 case and am pursuing the dream of a silent machine, for my bedroom in my case. Right now my secondary hard drive (not my boot SSD) is vibrating like a m*********er in the original G5 HDD cage, I'll need some rubber or silicone mounts to isolate the vibrations.

But anyway, I also wanted a 4k monitor and to drive it I found this passively cooled GTX 750 made by ZOTAC which should perform much better than the integrated graphics without increasing the fan count. I haven't bought it yet though, but it's a 750 after all so I don't think compatibility will be an issue. It has Display Port and in the specifications it says it can drive 4k at 60Hz through it.

I'll leave you with some links. I also subscribed to the thread, looking forward to the final result.

http://www.amazon.com/Zotac-GeForce-DisplayPort-Graphics-ZT-70707-20M/dp/B00MO4MOPE
http://www.zotac.com/products/graph...tion/sort/starttime/order/DESC/amount/10.html
 

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That thermalright looks impressive, but without measuring it I'd be concerned that it would basically fill up the case. I would need intake and exhaust fans anyway, and would have some concern about that thing blocking airflow. Maybe that's unfounded. If I use that vent tubing to a 120mm exhaust fan would the exhaust fan still be pulling sufficient air through the rest of the case?

@okitavio : that looks like a valid option, but that's what drew me to the option of the Strix cards, is that they operate without a fan when possible. Seems the best of both worlds. Right now I don't think I want to put fans up high in the case, which means less airflow over the upper part of the main section where the graphics card would be.

I'd like to see about using the original 92mm fan mount if everything will fit. I don't particularly like the look of sticking one or two big fans right up against the front of the case as you can see them easily through the mesh. The original 92mm fans are far enough back that I don't see them. I'm currently thinking 92mm fans x2 in the original location, a 120mm exhaust fan, and whatever I decide to do with the CPU cooling, presumably one more fan there.
 
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