[SUCCESS] MSI Z97S SLI Krait Edition + 4690K + EVGA GTX 960 + El Capitan + Clover

[Baltazar]

Love this build!

I'd like to replicate this build as my first customac. Couple of questions (sorry if they are dumb questions):

1. What wifi/ethernet cards did you use?
2. What sound card?

Any tips for those that would like to replicate your build?

Thanks!

I am using the built in Realtek Ethernet and ALC892 Audio. Nothing special. It really didn't take any additional effort to get everything working with this motherboard. The only trial and error were boot flags for the GPU and installing Nvidia Web Drivers to get that working. Otherwise, I simply used the El Capitan installation guide posted on the home page of TonyMacx86.com!

This build was the easiest install of OSX I've ever encountered. I'd propose to say that it's due to Clover being so friendly with EFI.

The only necessary prerequisites would be to disable VT-d and CFG-lock in the BIOS/EFI settings of the motherboard. Everything else was a breeze.

 

[jhhaze]

Thanks for the reply and again... wow...just wow! that is soooo clean and a real work of art. Reminds me of when I order amazing sushi at a restaurant and when it comes I don't want to eat it because it looks so incredible.

So, I suppose, and please correct me if I'm wrong, if speed step isn't working on a build, you would only see 1 constant speed and it will never engage the turbo boost speeds? However, with the fakesmc plugin it will allow hwmointor measure some of those vital statistics. I believe some people use an intel gadget build for mac, as well. I'll have to look into hwmonitor.

From my limited experience thus far, I have typically only seen people run either AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementInfo.kext or nullcpumanagemnt, but, never both. I was under the impression (maybe wrongly) that you need to generate an SSDT in order to get proper speed steps and power management to work. However, per your posts you followed the tonymac guide and appear to have speed step working, without either a dsdt or ssdt. I'll have to read/look more into it.

Also, for what it's worth I've had nothing but success with Toleda's two scripts to enable audio for my build and also enable airplay audio and hdmi audio. If you're interested you can refer to step 3 of this guide...

http://www.tonymacx86.com/el-capita...12-h77n-wifi-i3-3225-hd4000-os-x-10-11-a.html

Please keep updating this post with any new developments.

Thanks,

 

[Baltazar]

Thanks for the reply and again... wow...just wow! that is soooo clean and a real work of art. Reminds me of when I order amazing sushi at a restaurant and when it comes I don't want to eat it because it looks so incredible.

So, I suppose, and please correct me if I'm wrong, if speed step isn't working on a build, you would only see 1 constant speed and it will never engage the turbo boost speeds? However, with the fakesmc plugin it will allow hwmointor measure some of those vital statistics. I believe some people use an intel gadget build for mac, as well. I'll have to look into hwmonitor.

From my limited experience thus far, I have typically only seen people run either AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementInfo.kext or nullcpumanagemnt, but, never both. I was under the impression (maybe wrongly) that you need to generate an SSDT in order to get proper speed steps and power management to work. However, per your posts you followed the tonymac guide and appear to have speed step working, without either a dsdt or ssdt. I'll have to read/look more into it.

Also, for what it's worth I've had nothing but success with Toleda's two scripts to enable audio for my build and also enable airplay audio and hdmi audio. If you're interested you can refer to step 3 of this guide...

http://www.tonymacx86.com/el-capita...12-h77n-wifi-i3-3225-hd4000-os-x-10-11-a.html

Please keep updating this post with any new developments.

Thanks,

Correct; the CPU would run at one constant speed, thus consuming more power than it'll ever need to and your light bill skyrockets.

I believe Clover Configurator creates the SSDT for you when you create a serial number and hardware definition (14,2 in my case). Audio works well after using Toleda's script EXCEPT it's really quiet if I put the computer to sleep and wake it up again. A restart remedies the issue.

NullCPUPowermanagement is what is needed in the kext folder for this mobo.

HWmonitor is free and I highly recommend it to simply check temps and clock speeds after your build. It has really given me incite as to how cool this thing runs under full load.

Thanks for the kind words; I'm very proud of how this has come together!

 

[KalleKikkeli]

Updated with all new components in the affiliate links for Newegg.

I will specifically comment on the new Dell 27" FHD monitor.. it's absolutely STUNNING! Seriously, the bezel is nearly non-existent and the color accuracy is amazing. I was using a Sharp 32" 1080p TV as a display prior to this and it doesn't come close to sharpness for text. $300 well spent!

View attachment 159108

*Shout out to my fiance for posing for this pic haha.

Thank you for the tip! I might get two of these instead the Apple Thunderbolts then! Will save enough to drink beer for the year! And build looks awesome! I need a new flat to build such a work station!

ps. Gongrats man, she is hot!

 

[Baltazar]

Thank you for the tip! I might get two of these instead the Apple Thunderbolts then! Will save enough to drink beer for the year! And build looks awesome! I need a new flat to build such a work station!

ps. Gongrats man, she is hot!

Thanks, she definitely is! There are advantages of having a 1440p Apple display, but for the cost of those I'd buy the Samsung 28" UHD 4K Monitor ($549).. I was contemplating buying that display but for what I use my computer for I couldn't justify the cost. 1080p is the sweet spot for me at the moment. Apple displays look beautiful but this Dell one takes the cake on aesthetics in my opinion and image quality is great.

 

[Ni6htWalker]

where did you add nvda_drv=1?

 

[Baltazar]

where did you add nvda_drv=1?

After you install the Nvidia Web Drivers, the computer will restart and boot back into clover. From there go to clover options and add that to the boot arg section. After the computer boots up, use Clover Configurator to add the boot flag to the clover.plist file.

Here:



Literally just have to check the box next to "nvda_drv=1"

This will make clover boot with that arg/bootflag everytime to boot your computer.

 

[Ni6htWalker]

cool man.thank you ,is iMessage working in your build?

 

[shakakoa]

I am using the built in Realtek Ethernet and ALC892 Audio. Nothing special. It really didn't take any additional effort to get everything working with this motherboard.

The only necessary prerequisites would be to disable VT-d and CFG-lock in the BIOS/EFI settings of the motherboard. Everything else was a breeze.

are you able to access the mac app store ok? i have had issues with accessing MAS with the USB dongle.

Nice build!

 

[Baltazar]

cool man.thank you ,is iMessage working in your build?

I can receive iMessages but it doesn't send. Says "not delivered" but I don't use iMessage on the computer. I will probably get it fully working by this weekend and I'll keep the thread updated with my findings/resolution.