Jan. 2013 - Recording CustoMac advice

[mus3113]

Hello,

In the last three years i have experimented with the "hac" project with major success on some old machines found at home (C2D, Pentium etc). Now, i believe that is time to give a try to myself to something more serious but the budget is unfortunately tight, so, no way buing a real mac (i already own an MBP 13" mid2012) . The new machine will be used as the heart of my project studio for serious and high demanding ProTools editing and MIDI sequencing (many RTAS instruments running simultaneously). So, i need your advice at the following components (something between Budget and Pro according to the buyer's guide i suppose):

CPU: Intel Core i7 - 3770
M/B: Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H
RAM: Corsair 8GB @1600Mhz DDR3 + 4GB @1333Mhz DDR3
GPU: ATI Radeon HD5750 1GB, DDR5
HDD: WD Caviar Black 1TB sataIII
Power sup.: L&C 650Watt
and ML form AppStore

Is this setup ok to be a perfect running CustoMac?

Thank you in advance
​

 

[hacman]

why don't you go for i7 3770k and use HD 4000 instead of HD 5750 ?

 

[mus3113]

thanks for the reply!

if i am not mistaken, the difference between 3770 and 3770K is an option for over clocking and i don't think that this processor will need to be overclocked for me. About the graphics, i have no problem about intel 4000, but i am wondering if my 5750 will work with the new configuration..

 

[Going Bald]

thanks for the reply!

if i am not mistaken, the difference between 3770 and 3770K is an option for over clocking and i don't think that this processor will need to be overclocked for me. About the graphics, i have no problem about intel 4000, but i am wondering if my 5750 will work with the new configuration..

My 5770 had no problems, but the 3770 no K also has HD4000 gfx, so you might try connecting the DVI cable to the mainboard and installing with the HD4000 and see if it is adequate. If it is, you can save the 5750 for another build.

 

[BoomR]

why don't you go for i7 3770k and use HD 4000 instead of HD 5750 ?

Another benefit of going the onboard HD4000 graphics is that you don't have the added noise from the video card fans (or additional heat build-up in the case). If this is for recording & your CustoMac is in the same room, keeping noise down to a minimum is critical.

 

[mus3113]

Yes, absolutely right about the overall noise level of the tower - of course. But i am happy for the compatibility of the ATI5000 series. (i already own it on my AMD system and i am totally satisfied with this gpu). The machine will be located in a separate isolated room so no matter if it is noisy or not, with a water-cooling system or a small air-conditioner dedicated to the machine room. Is there any difference - if it was your choice - between ATI vs Nvidia gpu about compatibility? My target is an one-shot install and never mind again (if possible! updates are not critical because the build is only for running my recently bought PT, so not to upgrade version at least in the next 2-3 years). Anyway, next week i am starting the assembly and setup of the new system, thank you all for the advice.

 

[mus3113]

My new recording CustoMac is up and running! I couldn't believe that it should be so easy and with so great results. A big thanks to the site and everyone replied to my posts! My finished setup is:

GA-Z77-DS3H REV1.1
Intel Core i7 3770
Nvidia GTX650 OC
Corsair 16GB RAM
WD Caviar Black 1TB
WD Caviar Blue 500GB
2 x Samsung SyncMaster 2253BW (DVI + HDMI with HDMI to DVI cable, VGA is not supported)
Apple Wired Keyboard
Apple Magic Trackpad
Texas Instruments Firewire PCI expansion card
IOGear Bluetooth 4.0 Adapter
Mountain Lion from Mac App store

The setup was the easiest i have ever seen. Just followed to the letter Tony's instructions about hardware choice, BIOS settings and installation process. I couldn't really be happier.

Notes:

- Intel HD4000 is way better than i expected. I run dual 1680x1050 monitors and it is great. Also it is silent and keeps heat levels low. VGA is not supported in Mountain Lion. If you want two monitors these must be connected via HDMI and DVI (and use HDMI to DVI cable if your monitor does not support HDMI). But, if the machine is going to be used is in high processor demanding applications a discrete gfx card is a better option

- The GA-Z77-DS3H motherboard does not have built in Firewire ports so, if Firewire is needed you don't necessary need to buy a more expensive motherboard, simply buy a generic Firewire PCI expansion card, it works.

 

[guitarsimo93]

Hi mus3113
I'm mounting a hackintosh with your own motherboard and processor i5-3570K, since I read that you do using your is the same as I would do mine, or recordings and audio productions I have a question, as regards the post-installation, not having found a dsdt for GA-Z77-DS3H rev. 1.1 setting that I need to enter (or which you have used) for multibeast to install the drivers and everything else.
Thanks in advance
And all sorry for my poor english

 

[mus3113]

Hi, i didn't use any DSDT! Really nothing. Just installed the OS and after checking exactly the same things as Tony's guide on Multibeast EVERYTHING was working!

 

[mus3113]

Newer motherboards do not require DSDT.