First Hackintosh for Music Production, Video Editing

[rjsounds]

Hey guys!

Long time lurker of this site but decided it's finally time to take action! I am finally ready (after reading many success stories) to take on the task of building my first ever computer! As the title states, I've never built a computer before so I'm looking for some advice on my build. I'll update the build list when I have a better idea of what I'll need.

My current computer:
Mid-2010 21.5" iMac (i3 3.2 ghz cpu, 12GB RAM, ATI Radeon 5670 512MB). 7 years old! Time for an update

Budget:
$2,700 CAD (approx. $2,000 USD)

What I will primarily be using my computer for:

-Mainly music production and audio editing (Logic Pro X w/ USB Scarlett Focusrite 2i2 audio interface)
-Some video production (Screenflow, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects)
-Maybe some gaming in the future

And I think it's worth mentioning I have a USB Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface.

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Components (updated July 1 2017):

Case: Fractal Design Define R5 - I really like this case with the sound dampening material. Great for a home studio.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00Q3BDOM6/?tag=tonymacx86c0c-20

Monitor (27 - 28"): TBD

Motherboard: ASUS ROG Maximus IX Hero
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01NBHXSP6/?tag=tonymacx86c0c-20

CPU: KabyLake i7-7700k
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01N0L41N7/?tag=tonymacx86c0c-20

RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport LT (32GB)
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01AG9EZ6E/?tag=tonymacx86c0c-20

GPU: GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01LYN9KK6/?tag=tonymacx86c0c-20

Hard Drives:
-Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD
-Seagate Barracuda 1TB SATA (for general storage)

Cooler: Corsair H60
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00A0HZMGA/?tag=tonymacx86c0c-20

PSU: Corsair RM 750x Watt
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B015YEI9NQ/?tag=tonymacx86c0c-20

WiFi Card: Fenvi
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01IVIHPBY/?tag=tonymacx86c0c-20

Already owned:
-Apple USB keyboard (with number pad)
-Apple Magic Mouse *hoping bluetooth won't be a problem on the hackintosh*
-I use a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB audio interface - do I need to worry about onboard audio since I have this?

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Basically, in a nutshell, I'm just looking to build a nice, powerful, and reliable workhorse for day to day use with the main focus on music production and audio editing for clients.

Like a lot of newbies, I'm probably going to ask a lot of questions over the next couple of months. I'm definitely stoked on learning a new skill and becoming more comfortable and knowledgeable with computers. I really appreciate everyone's comments and advice! So please guys, help me build my dream computer!

Cheers and thanks in advance!

-rjsounds

 

[trs96]

If you want to go with a 27" 4K monitor the current LG model (not the one for MBP use) is a very good option.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01IRQAYPE/?tag=tonymacx86c0c-20
If that eats up too much of your budget get at least a 1440p monitor so that text will look sharp enough.

Oh, and regarding Logic Pro X, I have a ton of 3rd party plugins and instruments installed... was wondering if this may pose to be an issue somehow. I'm just worried that for whatever reason they won't work on a hackintosh or might run into problems. Hopefully that is not the case.

You should research whether these 3rd party plugins will work with Sierra or not. If you have to go with El Capitan you won't be able to use a Pascal based Nvidia gfx card.

You might also look into upgrading the old 2010 iMac to a standard sata SSD so that you can keep using it as a secondary machine for macOS. The front glass is held on by magnets and is much easier to remove than newer models.
https://9to5mac.com/2015/02/13/how-to-swap-imac-hard-drive-for-ssd/

 

[zipb]

What I will primarily be using my computer for:

-Music production and audio editing (Logic Pro X). I also have a USB scarlett focusrite 2i2 audio interface.
-

Oh, and regarding Logic Pro X, I have a ton of 3rd party plugins and instruments installed... was wondering if this may pose to be an issue somehow. I'm just worried that for whatever reason they won't work on a hackintosh or might run into problems. Hopefully that is not the case.

I've tons of plugins(paid for/official) in VST and AU format. 0 problems. Logic Pro and Cubase work great.

If you want to record acoustic instruments in the same room as your Hack, make sure you buy a dampened case, a quiet CPU cooler and silent fans.

 

[rjsounds]

trs96 - Yeah I think considering we're in 2017 a 4k monitor would be nice. I added it to my updated build list. Upgrading SSD in current iMac seems like quite a task... might just leave it as is. I'm currently running El Capitan on my iMac. I'm confident that almost all plugins I have will work on the latest OS - most are from reputable companies like Native Instruments and they regularly update their plugins. I'll definitely double check the ones I use most often.

zipb - Awesome to hear that your AUs and VSTs work just fine! And yes, I'm eyeing up the Fractal Design R5 case. It's a little expensive but I think it'll be worth it. Are silent fans as good as liquid cooling?

Updated build list in first post. Still have to figure out some things. Any other recommendations are greatly appreciated!

 

[trs96]

trs96 - Yeah I think considering we're in 2017 a 4k monitor would be nice. I added it to my updated build list. Upgrading SSD in current iMac seems like quite a task... might just leave it as is.

Updated build list in first post. Still have to figure out some things. Any other recommendations are greatly appreciated!

You'll want to use the DP 1.4 output on your 1060 graphics card to get 4K @ 60Hz from the LG monitor. HDMI 2.0 is not yet supported by macOS. I'm sure that the LG will come with a DP cable in the box. If the iMac is fully functional yet, try reselling it locally on something like Craig's List site. May be able to get a fair amount of cash to help pay for some of the new build.

 

[zipb]

trs96 - Yeah I think considering we're in 2017 a 4k monitor would be nice. I added it to my updated build list. Upgrading SSD in current iMac seems like quite a task... might just leave it as is. I'm currently running El Capitan on my iMac. I'm confident that almost all plugins I have will work on the latest OS - most are from reputable companies like Native Instruments and they regularly update their plugins. I'll definitely double check the ones I use most often.

zipb - Awesome to hear that your AUs and VSTs work just fine! And yes, I'm eyeing up the Fractal Design R5 case. It's a little expensive but I think it'll be worth it. Are silent fans as good as liquid cooling?

Updated build list in first post. Still have to figure out some things. Any other recommendations are greatly appreciated!

I've the Noctua NH-D15 giant CPU air cooler. Real quiet. And a R5 case. Recording acoustic guitar about 2 meters from my Hack is no problem at all.

 

[Stork]

BoomR is our in residence audio recording expert. Check out his latest build > https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...70x-designare-i7-6700k-nvidia-gtx-970.215934/

He also is found in our Music forum section > https://www.tonymacx86.com/forums/music.21/

 

[rjsounds]

Thanks for the replies guys. I still have some more questions as I narrow down the parts for my build

As I'm still learning here, I would like to understand the current issue around current kaby lake cpu's. AFAIK it requires spoofing in order to work. Is this simply just another step to add to the list (more room for error too I guess)? And when (as some of you are expecting) support becomes official, going with any kaby lake cpu will just be like any other supported cpu because it will no longer require being spoofed, correct? If this is the case, I shall stick with the latest and greatest i7 7700k then

Next, for the GPU (link in first post), I think the GeForce GTX 1060 6GB will be enough for what I'm doing - I noticed that there are different types... gaming, windforce, etc. I went to the Nvidia website and it looks to be just one type... Are there different types of GTX 1060's? What are the differences between each of them?

And lastly, does the corsair 650x psu provide enough power for my tentative build so far? Would it be advised to go with a 750?

Thanks in advance for any responses - I'm researching every day and upgrading my component list when I find new answers!

 

[trs96]

And when (as some of you are expecting) support becomes official, going with any kaby lake cpu will just be like any other supported cpu because it will no longer require being spoofed, correct? If this is the case, I shall stick with the latest and greatest i7 7700k then.

This is correct. There are iMacs already being sold today with the 7700K CPU. So they have to be fully supported, likely when 10.12.6 is scheduled for public release.

 

[rjsounds]

I read somewhere that high use of GPU was power consuming. The advice for a 980Ti and dual screen was 800W. I decided to go for the corsair 850X.

Alright, I updated the component list with a corsair 750x. That should be plenty for music production using a single monitor.

I started another thread the other day asking about differences between video cards, specifically differences between a given series (such as the GTX 1060). I now have a much better understanding of those differences.

I'd like to decide on a motherboard, as I'm still uncertain which option is best for my build and what I'll be doing. I know that with the kabylake cpu it's best to go with a z270 mobo (probably ATX), so that's a given. What else do I need to consider when choosing a motherboard?

To help narrow it down:
-I don't think I'll be using thunderbolt ports (I use a USB audio interface)
-I regularly use 4 USB ports (apple keyboard, M-Audio MIDI keyboard, KORG minilogue analog synthesizer, and one usb port to charge phone or connect external hard drive)
-I'm planning on having a 1TB sata hard drive and one 500GB Samsung SSD. I think that's not asking a lot, but I'm aware that depending on the form factor of the SSD you may need a certain motherboard.
-I will need to connect to WiFi - do some motherboards have WiFi connection built in, or do they always require PCIe WiFi card?

I hope this is enough info to get started on. Like I said this is my first time building a computer (and of course I chose a doozy of a first build going the hackintosh route) but I'm learning more and more every day.

Any recommendations would be much appreciated!