- Joined
- Aug 20, 2012
- Messages
- 8
- Motherboard
- Hack
- CPU
- i5-2400
- Graphics
- Nvidia GT 640
- Mac
- Classic Mac
- Mobile Phone
Downgrade (Ivy to Sandy): i5-2400 - GA-Z77X-UD5H - 16GB RAM - Nvidia 640
Components (Already Owned All)
Apple Mac OS X Mountain Lion
Downloaded from Apple App Store on MacBook Pro. I created a bootable USB drive using Unibeast found here.
GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
I purchased the Gigabyte motherboard as per Tony's recommendation in the OSX build guide found here. I got a good deal at Micro Center with the $50 off with a purchase of a 3570k. Of course, you have to be close to a Micro Center since it is in-store only.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128545
Intel 3570k to a Intel i5-2400
I used the Intel 3570k for several months without issue. However, since my Mac is used as a workstation, I never overclocked the chip. I recently tore down my NAS that had an i5-2400 and decided to trade them out as the performance is comparable at stock speeds. The work I do is not very demanding, so the Sandy Bridge processor is fine for me. Obviously, it isn't worth purchasing a i5-2400 new anymore, but I had it on-hand.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074
Nvidia 640
The Nvidia was purchased to make use of the two DL-DVI outputs that I needed to run twin 1440p screens. It also enables the 3D features of photoshop.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130795
Crucial M4 256GB
The SSD is used for my primary boot device. An SSD is mandatory these days in my opinion. I used the hackintosh with an RE4 for a few months and the SSD makes a huge difference in loading times. Other SSDs are better now, but the M4 was great when I purchased it about a year ago and still performs great.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=20-148-443&ParentOnly=1&IsVirtualParent=1
2x Mushkin Enhanced Radioactive 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 997005
I have four sticks of this RAM (4x4GB) or two kits. I used them in previous builds and highly recommend Mushkin RAM. They have made great ram for almost two decades.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226219
Corsair 550D
Corsair makes great cases in all price brackets. I own an 880D, 550D, and have installed systems in almost all of their cases. They make clean cases without all the lights and plastic junk that other manufacturers use. They are always a pleasure to install parts in due to the well thought out design. The 550D is Corsair's mid-range quiet option. It include acoustic padding on all the panels, hidden fans, and an understated look. Its perfect for a professional workstation. It also has mounts for 240mm radiators if you want to go that route.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139012&Tpk=corsair%20550d&IsVirtualParent=1
PC Power and Cooling Silencer Mk III Series 600W Modular Power Supply
PCP&C has long been a respected brand. They recently "sold-out" to OCZ, which is disappointing, but they still make decent power supplies. The Silencer series is well rated and is modular, which is a huge plus for people that like a clean looking case.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703036&Tpk=PC%20power%20and%20cooling%20600w&IsVirtualParent=1
2x Western Digital WD RE4 WD5003ABYX 500GB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
The Western Digital RE4 is the gold standard for dependable, 24-hour use drives. These are rated for server use, so they are about as reliable as it gets. I'm using them in RAID1 and I wouldn't use any easily obtainable other drive in RAID but these. The 5 year warranty is worth the extra $10 over green drives.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136697
Western Digital 320GB
This drive is an old drive I've had for a long time. Its from before they started designating Green/Blue/Black drives and such. They can be found on eBay, but I'm only using it because its what I have laying around. I'd get another RE4 or something similar.
Ebay Search
ViewSonic VP2770-LED Black 27" 12ms WQHD HDMI Widescreen LED Monitor
After purchasing the Catleap, I needed another monitor but didn't want another Catleap due to the barebones nature of the cheap korean monitor. I needed a USB 3.0 hub, switchable ports, and more calibration options. I decided to splurg on the Viewsonic, which has been awesome. The Catleap uses PWM (pulse width modulation) to dim the LED backlights. This causes my eyes to hurt over time. I had to do a lot of research before I found that the Viewsonic does not flicker the LED backlight to dim the LEDs. When I got it, my eye strain instantly went away plus the colors are more natural. The build quality and features put the Viewsonic waaaaay above the korean monitors.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824116578&Tpk=viewsonic%20vp2770-led&IsVirtualParent=1
Catleap Yamakasi 27" Monitor
I purchased the Catleap monitor about a year ago and it has been great. No dead pixels. The down sides are that it does not have the features of other 27" IPS monitors. Looking at the prices now, I'd be hard pressed to purchase it again. I got it for $280 shipped back when they were a new thing, but they seem to be demanding $415+ now. I'd definitely step it up to a Dell 27" or a nice PLS panel now. I use this monitor as my secondary monitor.
Catleap Ebay Search
Cooler Master CM Storm QuickFire Pro Mechanical Gaming Keyboard CherryMX Brown Switch USB
After using a mechanical keyboard, I had to have one. I chose the CM Storm due to the brown switch that does not have the annoying clicking of the other types.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823129003
Logitech G500
I highly recommend the G500. The midrange price is nice, but it offers a lot of features such as programmable buttons, two-mode scroll wheel, and on-mouse sensitivity adjustment.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104318&Tpk=logitech%20g500&IsVirtualParent=1
Comments
System Usage
The system was built to be used for iOS development. I was using a MacBook Pro, but found myself needing more screen space and horsepower. I make extensive use of Xcode with many builds per day, so the i5 really helps. I tend to keep a lot of programs open, so a decent amount of RAM was called for. I also needed light OpenCL support through nvidia for Photoshop, which eliminated the 4000HD found in the new Mac Minis and Macbook Pros (I've used them and they are REALLY slow in photoshop 3D.) That left me with the iMac or Mac Pro. The new iMac wasn't out when I first built my Hackintosh and paying for the screen in the iMac was useless since I already had two monitors. The Mac Pro is too old to want to drop $2000+ on, so here I am making my own Mac.
I do not game on the Mac, so the system was not designed for extreme cooling.
Component Selection
I've long been a fan of Gigabyte motherboards so when Tonymacx86 recommended them, I was in no problem. The RAM was an afterthought, as I already had it on hand. Anything DDR3-1600 is all I needed. The CPU + Motherboard was purchased from Microcenter during their $50 off deal, which made the combo a steal. I ended up not overclocking nor needing the full power of the 3570k, which is why I am downgrading to a spare i5-2400.
The Corsair 550D is the perfect case for a MacPro workstation substitute. I'd love for Tony to start recommending it. With stock hardware, it is virtually silent and very well built. It is also extremely easy to work with and priced well. The reference nVidia 640 was chosen for its cheap price, 2xDL-DVI support, and 6xx compatibility.
Component Choice Reflection
After using the build for 6+ months, I wouldn't change anything about it. Its been rock-solid. The only reason I am changing the CPU is to use the 3570k in my gaming rig since it doesn't get must use crunching Xcode projects. Everything has just worked with the exception of repatching the audio drivers after some updates. I was using a ThermalTake WaterPerformer2.0 All-In-One cooler and wouldn't do that again. The pump noise was not worth the extra cooling especially since I am not overclocking.
MultiBeast Configuration for Mountain Lion For i5-2400
Components Installed Screenshots
3570k Build
3570k installed with Cooler Master Gemini heatsink
2400 Build
3570k swapped out for an i5-2400
3570k installed with Cooler Master Gemini heatsink
2400 Build
3570k swapped out for an i5-2400
Change Log:
4-2-2013: Changed 3570k to an i5-2400
Last edited by a moderator:
We don't have enough build descriptions with Sandy Bridge processors on (Ivy Bridge) 7-series motherboards.
