- Joined
- Sep 13, 2012
- Messages
- 12
- Mac
- Classic Mac
- Mobile Phone
I've been following this website for a while now, researching a lot about component compatibility, config problems, etc. for my first actual hackingtosh build.
I have some experience building pc's a few years back, but I haven't done this in the 5 years that I've owned my macbook pro, so I'm a bit rusty. I figured I'd just post my suggested configuration here, asking whether anyone expects any problems with it.
What I'm trying to accomplish is the following:
- An HTPC case which fits nicely in my cabinet, dimensions are critical with regular screen for day-to-day stuff and tv for entertainment.
- Powerful system, but I don't intent to overclock it, that can last a few years without major upgrading.
- Dual boot with windows for engineering programs (Pro/Engineer, Siemens NX, ...) and occasional gaming
These components are what I've selected (links go to my preferred store):
Case:
- Silverstone Grandia GD04B - Alternate.be
- Silverstone Grandia GD06B - Alternate.be
> The GD06 is preferred for looks, but it's hot-swap bays collide with suggested PSU. I'd figure since I don't need them, I would just remove those (simple screws) and put a plastic cover in the hole on the front from an old pc.
> Dimensions are critical. No cases bigger than 440mm x 150mm x 350mm (WxHxD)
PSU:
- Fractal Design Newton R3 600W - Alternate.be
> 80Plus platinum certified
> Silent, fan only starts when above certain temperature
> Semi-modular (has ATX connectors and 2x 6+2 PCI-E connectors on fixed cable, the rest is modular)
Motherboard:
- Gigabyte GA-Z77MX-D3H - Alternate.be
> mATX form factor to fit in case
> enough USB ports for my needs (need at least 6)
CPU:
- Intel Core I7-3770 - Alternate.be
> A lot cheaper than the k-version and I won't be overclocking it anyway (3.4GHz vs 3.5GHz won't make much of a difference I suspect?)
> Question: is the stock intel boxed cooler sufficient for this? I can only use coolers up to 70mm in height.
GPU:
- EVGA GTX 680 SC Signature - Alternate.be
> powerful enough to last a few years, yet not overly expensive
> cooling exhausts to rear of case, as suggested per case manual
Memory:
- 16GB (2x8GB) 1600MHz Corsair Vengeance LP - Alternate.be
> this can be expanded to 32GB if necessary in the future
> low profile to fit in case
Hard drives:
- OCZ VTX3-25SAT3-120G.20 (120GB SSD) - Alternate.be
- Western Digital WD20EZRX 2TB - Alternate.be
> both split at 60/40 ratio (biggest part for OS X)
> does this SSD require the 4k block size fix?
Optical drive:
- LG BH10LS38 Bluray - Alternate.be
> It is an HTPC...
Display:
- LG22EN43T-B (1920x1080 display through DVI-D) - Alternate.be
- Samsung TV (1080p through HDMI)
> does DVI-D connection work properly in OS X?
> are there any problems connecting 2 displays like this?
> I want a small 1080p display (22" or smaller)
Sound:
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 USB audio interface - Thomann.de
> I want to use this for my bass guitar in Garageband/Logic
> I also want to use this as default output to my speakers, but does anyone know if it also requires the voodooHDA (which I heard bad things about?) or other audio fixes? Will this conflict with the fixes to get motherboard audio working?
> Does audio routing with soundflower work with the fixes?
Do you expect any problems with this setup? Anything special I need to look at? I thank everyone in advance for any suggestions.
I have some experience building pc's a few years back, but I haven't done this in the 5 years that I've owned my macbook pro, so I'm a bit rusty. I figured I'd just post my suggested configuration here, asking whether anyone expects any problems with it.
What I'm trying to accomplish is the following:
- An HTPC case which fits nicely in my cabinet, dimensions are critical with regular screen for day-to-day stuff and tv for entertainment.
- Powerful system, but I don't intent to overclock it, that can last a few years without major upgrading.
- Dual boot with windows for engineering programs (Pro/Engineer, Siemens NX, ...) and occasional gaming
These components are what I've selected (links go to my preferred store):
Case:
- Silverstone Grandia GD04B - Alternate.be
- Silverstone Grandia GD06B - Alternate.be
> The GD06 is preferred for looks, but it's hot-swap bays collide with suggested PSU. I'd figure since I don't need them, I would just remove those (simple screws) and put a plastic cover in the hole on the front from an old pc.
> Dimensions are critical. No cases bigger than 440mm x 150mm x 350mm (WxHxD)
PSU:
- Fractal Design Newton R3 600W - Alternate.be
> 80Plus platinum certified
> Silent, fan only starts when above certain temperature
> Semi-modular (has ATX connectors and 2x 6+2 PCI-E connectors on fixed cable, the rest is modular)
Motherboard:
- Gigabyte GA-Z77MX-D3H - Alternate.be
> mATX form factor to fit in case
> enough USB ports for my needs (need at least 6)
CPU:
- Intel Core I7-3770 - Alternate.be
> A lot cheaper than the k-version and I won't be overclocking it anyway (3.4GHz vs 3.5GHz won't make much of a difference I suspect?)
> Question: is the stock intel boxed cooler sufficient for this? I can only use coolers up to 70mm in height.
GPU:
- EVGA GTX 680 SC Signature - Alternate.be
> powerful enough to last a few years, yet not overly expensive
> cooling exhausts to rear of case, as suggested per case manual
Memory:
- 16GB (2x8GB) 1600MHz Corsair Vengeance LP - Alternate.be
> this can be expanded to 32GB if necessary in the future
> low profile to fit in case
Hard drives:
- OCZ VTX3-25SAT3-120G.20 (120GB SSD) - Alternate.be
- Western Digital WD20EZRX 2TB - Alternate.be
> both split at 60/40 ratio (biggest part for OS X)
> does this SSD require the 4k block size fix?
Optical drive:
- LG BH10LS38 Bluray - Alternate.be
> It is an HTPC...
Display:
- LG22EN43T-B (1920x1080 display through DVI-D) - Alternate.be
- Samsung TV (1080p through HDMI)
> does DVI-D connection work properly in OS X?
> are there any problems connecting 2 displays like this?
> I want a small 1080p display (22" or smaller)
Sound:
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 USB audio interface - Thomann.de
> I want to use this for my bass guitar in Garageband/Logic
> I also want to use this as default output to my speakers, but does anyone know if it also requires the voodooHDA (which I heard bad things about?) or other audio fixes? Will this conflict with the fixes to get motherboard audio working?
> Does audio routing with soundflower work with the fixes?
Do you expect any problems with this setup? Anything special I need to look at? I thank everyone in advance for any suggestions.