Stork's MyHero Build: ASUS ROG Z170 MAXIMUS VIII HERO - i7-6700K - GTX 980

[Neikei]

Ah, ok. I just couldn't find it on the US Asus homepage. Thx for looking

 

[arbuleac]

Thanks for a nice build! I have enjoyed reading it through

I am planning on building my first ever hackintosh and I really like this build.
Unfortunately, I can not find the exact same components here in my country.

I have tried to build something really similar, using the available options. Please take a look at the list below:

1. ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO
   
2. Intel Skylake, Core i7 6700K 4.0GHz box
   
3. Corsair Vengeance LPX Black 32GB DDR4 3200MHz CL16 Quad Channel Kit
   
4. SSD Samsung 950 PRO 512GB PCI Express x4 M.2 2280
   
5. Corsair Hydro Series H100i v2 Extreme Performance
   
6. ASUS GeForce® GTX 1070 Founders Edition
7. Lian Li PC-7H Black

Please note, I have never put a PC in place myself. This is a unique experience. Would appreciate your input

 

[Iwagsz]

Hi Stork
I am really debating ignoring the negative reviews on this board and using this instead of the mATX ASUS MAXIMUS VIII GENE since I'm using the mid tower Fractal Design Define R5. How is this build running so far and have you had any problems with it?

I like the placement of the M.2 slot away from the PCIe slots and the extra PCIe slot on this board.

 

[pastrychef]

ASUS GeForce® GTX 1070 Founders Edition

As of today, there are still no Mac drivers for GTX 1070/1080.

 

[arbuleac]

As of today, there are still no Mac drivers for GTX 1070/1080.

Thanks for pointing! Any good resources for checking the drivers availability?

 

[Stork]

Thanks for a nice build! I have enjoyed reading it through

I am planning on building my first ever hackintosh and I really like this build.
Unfortunately, I can not find the exact same components here in my country.

I have tried to build something really similar, using the available options. Please take a look at the list below:

1. ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO
   
2. Intel Skylake, Core i7 6700K 4.0GHz box
   
3. Corsair Vengeance LPX Black 32GB DDR4 3200MHz CL16 Quad Channel Kit
   
4. SSD Samsung 950 PRO 512GB PCI Express x4 M.2 2280
   
5. Corsair Hydro Series H100i v2 Extreme Performance
   
6. ASUS GeForce® GTX 1070 Founders Edition
7. Lian Li PC-7H Black

Please note, I have never put a PC in place myself. This is a unique experience. Would appreciate your input

The HERO is an expensive motherboard. Unless you really like it's spec's, I'd also look at the RANGER. However, looking over your component list, you should have a very fast computer system for playing games, ripping your DVDs/CDs and anything else you undertake.

Make sure the memory is on the motherboard's QVL including model #. I'm using the Corsair Vengeance LPX in Gene, but I'm using the 2666MHz version of the memory.

The GTX 1070 is not supported yet. See the threads in the Graphics forum section. http://www.tonymacx86.com/forums/graphics.13/ Latest rumor is that Nvidia will release drivers for the GTX 1000 cards in mid-late Aug (possibly when Apple releases 10.11.6). However, my money is on Nvidia having web drivers for Sierra's release. This is the reason I am using a GTX 760 in MyHero that I had procured from eBay as a back up graphics card. I'll be getting a 1060 when the drivers appear.

Building a PC is fairly easy. There is an abbreviated installation procedure in the motherboard's user manual. Newegg also has a video on how to assemble a PC. Here's my abbreviated steps:

• Install the PSU first and route the power cables in the case. I only buy fully modular, Gold Rated PSUs which I recommend for your build.
• Before installing the motherboard in the case, install the processor and then the Corsair H100i's attachment plate.
• Install the motherboard and hook up the two power cables from the PSU.
  
• Attach the H100i's pump and install the pump's cooler to the back/top of the case.
• Add the memory.
• Connect all the case's Front Panel connections to the removable motherboard's header plug and then insert the plug onto the motherboard's Front Panel header, but first route it through the case's various motherboard "plate" holes.
• Install the Graphics Card and hook up the 8-pin power cable from the PSU.

That should do it. Just close up the case and enjoy! BTW, I've found the hardest part of installing the components in a case is figuring out the routing of the cables to maximize the case's airflow.

Hi Stork
I am really debating ignoring the negative reviews on this board and using this instead of the mATX ASUS MAXIMUS VIII GENE since I'm using the mid tower Fractal Design Define R5. How is this build running so far and have you had any problems with it?

I like the placement of the M.2 slot away from the PCIe slots and the extra PCIe slot on this board.

I'm using MyHero daily for several hours. I highly recommend the GENE motherboard unless you need the expansion capabilities of a full ATX motherboard, but, I, too, like the layout of the HERO motherboard. For my purposes I only need PCIe slots a graphics card, wireless PCIe card and maybe a Firewire 800/400 card. MyHero is a full ATX motherboard that will replace my Zorro build which I use for ripping my DVDs/CDs...and an easy game. MyHero also has a Firewire 800/400 card. I use both of these systems with my audio recording of my band (which has me, myself and I as the members) using GarageBand and a PreSonus Firewire audio interface.

The M.2 NVMe/AHCI slot on motherboards is a must now-a-days. I use a 512GB M.2 SSDs which literally make fully tower cases with their galzillion slots for HDD a museum piece. MyHero will have only one 3TB WD Red HDD to hold my audio and video files which I eventually transfer to my Synology NAS 112j, which BTW I also recommend.

So, enjoy your GENE system.

 

[Iwagsz]

I'm using MyHero daily for several hours. I highly recommend the GENE motherboard unless you need the expansion capabilities of a full ATX motherboard, but, I, too, like the layout of the HERO motherboard. For my purposes I only need PCIe slots a graphics card, wireless PCIe card and maybe a Firewire 800/400 card. MyHero is a full ATX motherboard that will replace my Zorro build which I use for ripping my DVDs/CDs...and an easy game. MyHero also has a Firewire 800/400 card. I use both of these systems with my audio recording of my band (which has me, myself and I as the members) using GarageBand and a PreSonus Firewire audio interface.

The M.2 NVMe/AHCI slot on motherboards is a must now-a-days. I use a 512GB M.2 SSDs which literally make fully tower cases with their galzillion slots for HDD a museum piece. MyHero will have only one 3TB WD Red HDD to hold my audio and video files which I eventually transfer to my Synology NAS 112j, which BTW I also recommend.

So, enjoy your GENE system.

OK, i'll stick with the Gene. LOL and good luck with your band.

 

[arbuleac]

Thanks for your reply Stork!

Will definitely check the QVL. For those interested, here are the links I've found:
1. Memory QVL for Hero: http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1151/MAXIMUS_VIII_HERO/M8H_DRAM_QVL_20160411.pdf
2. Devices QVL for Hero: http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1151/MAXIMUS_VIII_HERO/M8H_Devices_Report.pdf

Will stay tuned to see how it goes and will definitely build my own. It seems simple though Will have to work it through.

 

[pastrychef]

I also chose the Gene because I felt that 3 PCI-e slots were enough. Video card, wifi/bluetooth card, and 10GbE card for me. The 10GbE is more of a luxury than a necessity for me and if ever needed, I could use its slot for something else.

As for concerns of the placement of the M.2 slot on the Gene, I have found that unless you do a good deal of sustained transfers of large files to your M.2 drive, it will be fine. I did a sustained transfer of about 100GB to it and it remained under the max temperature limit of 81C. Once the transfer was complete, temps quickly dropped back down to its normal temp of about 46C.

There should be enough clearance between the SSD and video card cooler to install some RAM heatsinks on your M.2 drive if it still concerns you.

 

[Iwagsz]

I also chose the Gene because I felt that 3 PCI-e slots were enough. Video card, wifi/bluetooth card, and 10GbE card for me. The 10GbE is more of a luxury than a necessity for me and if ever needed, I could use its slot for something else.

As for concerns of the placement of the M.2 slot on the Gene, I have found that unless you do a good deal of sustained transfers of large files to your M.2 drive, it will be fine. I did a sustained transfer of about 100GB to it and it remained under the max temperature limit of 81C. Once the transfer was complete, temps quickly dropped back down to its normal temp of about 46C.

There should be enough clearance between the SSD and video card cooler to install some RAM heatsinks on your M.2 drive if it still concerns you.

Thanks, that was what concerned me. I know from what I've only read that the M.2 can be effected by heat so if you're not having a problem then that satisfies my concern.