- Joined
- Oct 6, 2017
- Messages
- 8
- Motherboard
- Asus Prime Z270-A
- CPU
- Intel i7 7700k
- Graphics
- Intel HD Graphics 630
Hi there all,
Preparing for my first ever computer build and would really appreciate a quick look over these parts. I've been doing my best to research the components/process, but was hoping to get your advice or recommendations in regards to any foreseeable challenges (physical or otherwise) that I may encounter as a newcomer.
I’m aiming for a quiet yet powerful Hackintosh that will be able to handle my music production & recording (Ableton & Pro Tools – potentially many simultaneous channels / plugins (64 bit) / CPU intensive software instruments). I’ll be using an external audio interface for sound (Native Instruments Audio 8 DJ), and am wanting my system to be a reliable workstation for hopefully the next several years, with the ability to upgrade where necessary.
I’ve tried to select parts that would cause the least number of headaches and would minimize extensive work with kexts/patching – although happy to dive in and give it a go if necessary.
After researching for months now I’m hoping to pull the trigger on these parts rather soon, so any help at all would be much appreciated! Thanks!
These are the components I’m looking at (taken largely from the October Buyer’s Guide):
A few questions:
MORE DETAIL:
Preparing for my first ever computer build and would really appreciate a quick look over these parts. I've been doing my best to research the components/process, but was hoping to get your advice or recommendations in regards to any foreseeable challenges (physical or otherwise) that I may encounter as a newcomer.
I’m aiming for a quiet yet powerful Hackintosh that will be able to handle my music production & recording (Ableton & Pro Tools – potentially many simultaneous channels / plugins (64 bit) / CPU intensive software instruments). I’ll be using an external audio interface for sound (Native Instruments Audio 8 DJ), and am wanting my system to be a reliable workstation for hopefully the next several years, with the ability to upgrade where necessary.
I’ve tried to select parts that would cause the least number of headaches and would minimize extensive work with kexts/patching – although happy to dive in and give it a go if necessary.
After researching for months now I’m hoping to pull the trigger on these parts rather soon, so any help at all would be much appreciated! Thanks!
These are the components I’m looking at (taken largely from the October Buyer’s Guide):
Intel - Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor
Asus - PRIME Z270-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
Onboard/Integrated Graphics - Intel HD Graphics 630
be quiet! - Dark Rock 3 CPU Cooler
Corsair - Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory
Wifi/Bluetooth Broadcom BCM94360CD & PCI-e Mini/PCI Express adapter set with antennas.
Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (for OS & Software)
Seagate - Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (for audio files & sample libraries, etc.)
ractal Design - Define R5 (Titanium) ATX Mid Tower Case
Corsair - RMx 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply
Peripherals: Kanex multi sync aluminium full-sized keyboard
Monitor: Waiting to find something suitable, but initially Sony KDL-32EX400 (TV)
Asus - PRIME Z270-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
Onboard/Integrated Graphics - Intel HD Graphics 630
be quiet! - Dark Rock 3 CPU Cooler
Corsair - Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory
Wifi/Bluetooth Broadcom BCM94360CD & PCI-e Mini/PCI Express adapter set with antennas.
Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (for OS & Software)
Seagate - Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (for audio files & sample libraries, etc.)
ractal Design - Define R5 (Titanium) ATX Mid Tower Case
Corsair - RMx 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply
Peripherals: Kanex multi sync aluminium full-sized keyboard
Monitor: Waiting to find something suitable, but initially Sony KDL-32EX400 (TV)
Already own:
Apple Magic Mouse
Native Instruments Audio 8 DJ
Total: Roughly $1,670 AUD
Apple Magic Mouse
Native Instruments Audio 8 DJ
Total: Roughly $1,670 AUD
A few questions:
BCM94360CD & Mini PCI-e/PCI-e adapter
- Supposed to work natively/OOB. Does the choice of adapter make much of a difference? Has anyone had experience with this particular adapter/card?
Kanex multi sync aluminium full-sized keyboard / Magic Mouse
- These should work in the UEFI/BIOS, right? (in combination with the BCM94360CD)
Asus Prime Z270-A
- Has anyone had experience with this model?
OS: Sierra
- I’m assuming that there’s probably a little more support for Sierra at this stage than High Sierra. Any reason why I might choose differently? As far as I can tell, my software will be compatible.
Keen to get stuck into the build, thanks in advance!- Supposed to work natively/OOB. Does the choice of adapter make much of a difference? Has anyone had experience with this particular adapter/card?
Kanex multi sync aluminium full-sized keyboard / Magic Mouse
- These should work in the UEFI/BIOS, right? (in combination with the BCM94360CD)
Asus Prime Z270-A
- Has anyone had experience with this model?
OS: Sierra
- I’m assuming that there’s probably a little more support for Sierra at this stage than High Sierra. Any reason why I might choose differently? As far as I can tell, my software will be compatible.
MORE DETAIL:
Intel i7 7700K
CheersNot looking at overclocking straight away, but would be good to have the option later down the track if necessary - I understand choosing to OC would likely lead to a noisier system anyway.
be quiet! Dark Rock 3Have opted for fans over AIO liquid cooling (personal choice – trying to minimize further complications should the worst occur, even if extremely unlikely). I understand the Dark Rock 3 is very large, covering some of the available DIMM slots, but that this can be overcome with low profile RAM and by raising the fan clips on the DR3. As far as I can tell, it will be slightly quieter (if not marginally warmer) than the similar Dark Rock Pro 3.
Asus Prime Z270-AWas originally looking for a Gigabyte model since most info I found suggested that these were the best option for Hackintoshes, however I’ve heard that the newer Asus models are easier to work with than they once were. There seem to be a handful of success stories with this motherboard, which I feel is important for a newbie like myself.
Lack of USB 2.0, but I understand that there’s a workaround when it comes to installation (in Unibeast?) as read in Hover/jktaurus8's posts. Chosen for the multiple monitoring, Thunderbolt header (may be useful in the future), and PCI-e/USB options.
Corsair Vengeance LPX – 16GB 3000MHzLow profile to fit under the cooler fan. I understand the chosen mobo can be overclocked to make use of the 3000MHz RAM.
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