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Critique my first build - i7-860, GA-P55M-UD4, GTS 250, ...

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concoursal

concoursal

Joined
Jun 16, 2010
Messages
9
Motherboard
i7-860
CPU
GA-P55-UD4P
Graphics
9800GT
Mac
  1. MacBook Pro
Classic Mac
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Mobile Phone
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My DP 2.5 G5 Powermac is on it's last leg. Originally, I had hoped to get an iMac to replace it. Given the time since the last iMac update and the uncertainty of when the next one will be, I've looked into building my own machine. Things have changed a lot in the Hackintosh world since I last looked into it. It seems that there are now solutions that will get 100% functionality and compatability. I've put together what I think would be a pretty good Snow Leopard system for just under $1200. Any thoughts?

Also, how would this system benchmark against current Apple iMac and Mac Pro offerings? Is 8GB overkill? I'll be doing the usual iApps with iMovie probably being the most memory intensive. There will also most likely be some FPS gaming. Thanks!

All from Newegg:

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $59.99

GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD4 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard $139.99

MSI N250GTS Twin Frozr 1G GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card $129.99

Antec TruePower New TP-550 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI $89.99

Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I7860 $279.99

2 G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBECO $219.98 ($109.99 ea)

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $79.99

SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L LightScribe Support - OEM $25.99

D-Link DWA-556 PCI Express Xtreme Desktop Adapter $44.99

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long ... $59.99

UPS 3 Days ($17.90)

DISCOUNT FOR COMBO #410730 -$20.00

Subtotal $1,110.89
Tax $0.00
Shipping $17.90
Order Total $1,128.79
 
concoursal,

You did your homework... :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

This is almost like my build... Except for better GFX and worse cooler ;)

Also, while there were many issues with LG burners, it seems some Samsung have this too.
See: viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1100
I'd take a Sony-Optiarc or an Asus to be on the safe side.

As for the cooler, nothing beats the Mugen-2 in terms of price/performance (there's the noctua nh-d14, but it comes with an hefty price tag).

Regarding the PSU, I'm not sure I could justify the $20 extra over the EA-500 ($70 you should be OK with it) or the Corsair VX450W ($75, but essentially the same, with Japanese caps).

Good Luck !
Lnx2Mac
 
Hey concoursal, I also recommend the Sony Optiarc like Lnx2Mac, but I'd say keep your Hyper 212 Plus, it has great ratings (I even think above the Mugen 2 in price/performance!).

However, if you would like to save some money, and you haven't purchased the build yet, I recommend these 2 steps:

Get the i7-860 from Micro Center: save $50
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0317378

Get the Hyper 212 Plus from Micro Center: save $35
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0315397

So you can potentially save up to $85! I'd say that's pretty good.
 
jimx86 said:
Lnx2Mac said:
See: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1046-page9.html

Edit: Doh, forgot the summary... http://www.silentpcreview.com/Recommended_Heatsinks
Click to expand...

Hey Lnx2Mac, what's your stance on the Hyper 212 Plus? I know you always suggest the Scythe Mugen 2.
Click to expand...

IMO, the 212 Plus is an OK cooler, with just an inappropriate fan.
For it to become 'acceptable', it would require adding a $15~$25 fan, making it more expensive than the Mugen-2, and yet with poorer thermal performance.

For me, the Mugen-2 hits the sweet-spot in terms of price/performance, hence my repeated recommendation.
 
Lnx2Mac said:
IMO, the 212 Plus is an OK cooler, with just an inappropriate fan.
For it to become 'acceptable', it would require adding a $15~$25 fan, making it more expensive than the Mugen-2, and yet with poorer thermal performance.

For me, the Mugen-2 hits the sweet-spot in terms of price/performance, hence my repeated recommendation.
Click to expand...

Hm, so what do you think about the Hyper 212 Plus at $20? I just got one from an old Micro Center discount :) . Does that beat the Mugen?
 
Thanks for all of the advice. Microcenter won't mail order CPU's, so that's not an option. I will take a closer look at the Mugen. I listed the Coolermaster because that's what Newegg had. The Mugen is OOS right now.

Thanks for the advice on the DVD burner. I'll switch to the Sony.

I'm still looking at cases. The Antec combo I have was thrown in because they have a combo deal with a discount.
 
Concoursal I think your Antec combo is fine for your build. It has sufficient fans and is a decent size for a mid-tower. It also looks good, and the Antec brand is trusted.

In the end, selecting a case is based more on personal taste than OSX compatibility, since OSX doesn't care what case your build is in. As long as you like it, go for it!
 
jimx86 said:
Lnx2Mac said:
IMO, the 212 Plus is an OK cooler, with just an inappropriate fan.
For it to become 'acceptable', it would require adding a $15~$25 fan, making it more expensive than the Mugen-2, and yet with poorer thermal performance.

For me, the Mugen-2 hits the sweet-spot in terms of price/performance, hence my repeated recommendation.
Click to expand...

Hm, so what do you think about the Hyper 212 Plus at $20? I just got one from an old Micro Center discount :) . Does that beat the Mugen?
Click to expand...
That's interesting...
As you already got it, I'd add to it a $15 Scythe Slipstream SY1225SL12M ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185058&cm_re=slipstream-_-35-185-058-_-Product ) to solve the noise (achieving a similar, but lower, thermal performance), at the same price point.
That would be an OK deal, as you get a spare CoolerMaster Fan ;)

Another alternative to try to compensate the poorer thermal performance of the 212 would be adding a $33 Noctua NF-P14 ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608017&cm_re=nf-p14-_-35-608-017-_-Product ), however, at this price, not sure it's worth it...
 
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