Hey guys,
Thanks for the quick answers!
There is two DVI connections on the back - the one one the left hand side is DVI-I and should work with an adaptor. The one on the right will certainly not.
I know that DVI-D is digital only and won't work with a VGA adaptor. I just asked because I read here that the VGA on motherboards was "definitely not supported" and that on discrete graphics through an adaptor it was a "maybe". I just remembered that my brother has an old VGA monitor, so I'll just ask to borrow it so I can test whether it actually works before I buy a second LG monitor.
The Black drives are more than worth the extra over their lifetime.
They are both fine for general purpose home use. Green is more energy efficient. Only use for data
The WD Blacks are the better buy - they are designed and built better.
Thanks again, Adrian. I already owned the black series and also one blue. The blacks just make more noise so I just don't know if I want to pay 1/3 more just to get a better drive that makes more noise
I'll ask around in the studio (aka: at work) what the computer geniuses prefer.
That's a good attitude to have. Other new builders would do well to adopt the same outlook. You'll need to learn how and why the EFI/BIOS works and where software like the boot loader and components like kexts and DSDTs fit into the puzzle. What Unibeast does is unify a group of tools into an installer to make installation more streamlined. You do lose some flexibility but in terms of a new builder getting up to speed it's the quickest tool out there. Multibeast then installs the components for your particular system. It's the same sort of tool as Unibeast but for the backend of the install. As Adrian says you should be able to get a build up and going pretty easily with any of the boards in the guide. The Gigabyte boards are used (and I own one as well as others) because that is what the installer is optimized for and there is a considerable amount of support and success stories on the forum. A good choice for a first build but with knowledge and work other boards will work fine and for some applications where different hardware configs are needed may be a better choice.
Thanks for the comment. It is much appreciated. Unfortunately though, my software skills aren't nearly enough to start editing DSDTs etc.
Truth be told, I'll probably be able to select the right settings in multibeast, but beyond that it's all just too much for me. I really don't understand how a few simple lines of mostly hex characters can somehow make things like HDMI work.
For this reason, the buyers guide will be my source for a motherboard when Mavericks arrives.
If you could point me in the right direction for some slightly-above-basic threads that explain these things in more detail, that would be very kind. I know what most things are for, but I don't understand how it works and what it takes to make certain things work. I have read all the introductions to these things, but apart from that I just can't seem to find an article that explains these things better among all the super advanced stuff here that is above my understanding... It's like you're either a beginner or a pro, but nothing in between that gets you up to speed on
how things work.
Haswell will work well in a Hackintosh but right now the safe money for using audio production apps is Mountain Lion. As an audio pro you're likely familiar that Avid take their time in getting new OS upgrades on the list to be compatable with ProTools. In fact many room or people with which I have worked specifically avoid upgrading their rigs once they get a good working config. if you are using it as a general purpose machine you likely aren't going to have that flexibility as those of us that build machines that are used strictly for production but if you are even a light ProTools user going to Mavericks is something that may be a year or so away depending on how fast Avid moves. They're better than they were when it was under the Digidesign umbrella but it still takes them some time to validate the releases and Apple will need a rev or two to work out some of the kinks.
To be honest, I prefer Logic for home recording. I haven't used Pro Tools at home in few months, mainly because the iLok is the one thing that always manages to be a huge pain in the ass (sorry for the expression). At home I don't even use any plugins that require it anymore and I'm pretty sure the upgrade to the next Pro Tools version won't even happen for me.
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The reason I still listed it at first is because it is being used in the studio where I work. When we get artists that have a preference for either one of the options we offer, we'll use that. I always recommend Logic though, as it usually presents the least problems. Some plugins also require iLok though and I'm totally fed up with the problems that such a little thing can produce.
Of course, these are just my personal experiences and they're not really a Hackintosh-related issue. And Pro Tools has its benefits too, the program itself is really good, it's just the iLok that gets in the way of it being perfect. Logic is simpler and better suited for home recording. pro Tools is overkill there.
Since I've started using Mainstage as my live effects rig, Logic is also the logical choice (no pun intended) when it comes to home recording. Apart from that almost all my instrument effects are analogue (even made some myself).
I guess what I'm trying to say is that, as long as my interface hardware and Logic/Mainstage will work, I'll try to get Mavericks working. If not, it will most likely be a Haswell compatible version of Mountain Lion if/when it arrives.
Thanks for the info so far!
Charlotte.