An Audio Hackintosh

[Gordo74]

do you know also which audio interface is he using?

firewire? PCi-e? which brand/model?

just to know about compatibility

Some sort of firewire, and yes, Pro Tools 9

 

[beatnik]

that's good to know, I will consider the HD3000 build too!

 

[heddhunter]

heddhunter,

Sounds good. I am excited to see how your build goes.

It went swimmingly! I will write up a full build post soon but the quick highlights are:

Core i7 2600k
Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3
Corsair Vengeance 8GB RAM
Integrated graphics only (no separate card)
OCZ Vertez 3 SSD for boot drive
various other 3.5" SATA drives for content, sample libraries, etc

Metric Halo Mobile I/O 2882+DSP firewire audio interface
Evolution UC-33 USB MIDI controller/interface

I am using the on-board firewire port, which has got a bad rap around here, but it works for me. I plugged the Mobile IO in, installed its driver, rebooted, and hey presto, glitch-free audio. I haven't really stressed the system yet, just played around with Ableton Live and Logic Pro very briefly, but everything checks out so far.

 

[beatnik]

Hi everybody,

I am concluding decisions for my build. I've decided base it on Stork's build, so integrated graphics with i7 processor.

These are the main components I'll stick with them, then I would like to get some suggestions about CPU cooler, memory and power supply, to see if I can save some $$$

MOTHERBOARD: Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00518M74I/&tag=tonymacx86com-20

PROCESSOR: Intel i7 2600k

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004EBUXSA/&tag=tonymacx86com-20

SSD DISK (system): OCZ Vertex 3 120 GB

http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-Vertex-2-5-Inch-Solid-VTX3-25SAT3-120G/dp/B004Q81CKY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1316965891&sr=1-1&tag=tonymacx86com-20

FIREWIRE CARD: Syba low profile (TI chip)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002S53IG8/?ie=UTF8&tag=tonymacx86com-20

And the followings are the other components in Stork's build. I'd like to know if there are other options available or better stick with them.

POWER SUPPLY: Corsair HX 750W

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-CMPSU-750HX-Professional-Certified-compatible/dp/B0029F21LK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1300157595&sr=1-1&tag=tonymacx86com-20

CPU COOLER: Scythe MUGEN-3

http://www.amazon.com/Scythe-Mugen-Cooler-Model-SCMG-3000/dp/B005413NPO/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1311686156&sr=1-2&tag=tonymacx86com-20

MEMORY: Corsair Vengeance Low Profile 8GB

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-Profile-PC3-12800-CML8GX3M2A1600C9W/dp/B005DKZK84/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1318118517&sr=1-1-spell&tag=tonymacx86com-20

Many thanks in advance

 

[jester969]

If you are only using HD3000 then a 430W PSU will serve you fine.

You can change the Mugen cooler to a Hyper212+ or keep stock cooler. RAM is fine.

 

[beatnik]

Probably in the future I'll add some more PCI-e cards for audio (audio i/o interface, dsp system,...) so maybe a 650W ps is a better compromise? I am afraid having not much headroom with 430W but please correct me if i'm wrong.

Does the i7 come with an included cooler? If so, can I go with it and eventually change later on?

About memory, is it better to have 2x4 GB or 1x8 GB? I think I've read somewhere here that when doing the first boot of the system is better to put not more than 8 GB of memory.. Is that correct?

Thanks a lot

 

[jester969]

Probably in the future I'll add some more PCI-e cards for audio (audio i/o interface, dsp system,...) so maybe a 650W ps is a better compromise? I am afraid having not much headroom with 430W but please correct me if i'm wrong.

Does the i7 come with an included cooler? If so, can I go with it and eventually change later on?

About memory, is it better to have 2x4 GB or 1x8 GB? I think I've read somewhere here that when doing the first boot of the system is better to put not more than 8 GB of memory.. Is that correct?

Thanks a lot

The 650W PSU will be fine. Although I don't see PCI-e cards taking so much power from the PSU. You an add a gfx card later and the PSU will be fine with no need to buy another one.

Yes, it comes with the standard Intel stock cooler. Yes, you change to a aftermarket cooler.

You can put more memory in b/c the tools here limit RAM to 4GB. So, 2 * 4GB will be fine.

 

[beatnik]

Thank you jester!