Final Check Before Purchase! (BOBW)

[ElminsterTCOM]

Thanks again everyone for all of your help picking out the components for my very first Hackintosh build! I will begin ordering the parts once everyone has had a second look at my configuration. Please let me know if there are any compatibility concerns or issues. Thank you!!!


Case:
Fractal Design - Define XL R2
http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&category=2&prod=111

Processor:
Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116501

Motherboard:
ASUS Maximus V EXTREME LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Extended ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131858

Video Card (MB PCIE_X16/X8_1 Slot):
MSI N680GTX Twin Frozr 4GD5/OC GeForce GTX 680 4GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127695

Video Capture Board (MB PCIEX4_1 slot):
http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/intensity/techspecs/
(Already Own)

Memory:
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231569

or

(x2) G.SKILL Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231623

Osx OS Drive (MB SATA6G_1 Port):
SanDisk Extreme SDSSDX-240G-G25 2.5" 240GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820171568

Windows 7 OS Drive (MB SATA6G_2 Port):
SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD256BW 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147193

Windows 8 OS Drive (MB ASMedia SATA6G_E1 Port):
SanDisk Extreme SDSSDX-240G-G25 2.5" 240GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820171568

Video Recording Drive – Compressable Data (MB ASMedia SATA6G_E2 Port):
SanDisk Extreme SDSSDX-480G-G25 2.5" 480GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820171569

Video Transcoding Drive for Incompressible Data (MB ASMedia SATA6G_E3 Port):
SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD256BW 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147193

CPU Cooler:
Swiftech H220 Water Cooling Kit
http://www.swiftech.com/H220.aspx

(Note: Mounted to the top of the case utilizing the 68mm space between top and motherboard in push pull configuration with 2 additional fans list below)

Additional Push Pull Fans:
GELID Solutions Slim 12 UV BLUE 120mm Case Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835705067

Additional Case Fans (or Replacement):
Thermalright TR-X-Silent-140 140mm Fan Black Retail
http://www.amazon.com/Thermalright-TR-X-Silent-140-140mm-Black-Retail/dp/B002U4Z6NA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359745599&sr=8-1&keywords=X-silent+140

Power Supply:
CORSAIR AX1200i 1200W Digital ATX12V v2.31 and EPS 2.92 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS PLATINUM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139039

Bluetooth:
IOGEAR GBU521W6 Bluetooth 4.0 USB Micro Adapter
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16875983008&Tpk=gbu521w6

Bluray Drive:
ASUS USB 2.0 6x External Slim Blu Ray Combo with BDXL Support Model SBC-06D2X-U/BLK/G/AS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135257
(Already Own)

Thunderbolt Adapter:
Seagate Backup Plus Desktop Thunderbolt Adapter (STAE129)
http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Desktop-Thunderbolt-Adapter-STAE129/dp/B009HQCAPQ/ref=pd_sim_e_6

Motherboard Connections:
PCIE_X16/X8_1 Slot - GeForce GTX 680 4GB
PCIE_X16_2A Slot
PCIE_X8_2B Slot
PCIE_X8_3 Slot
PCIEX4_1 Slot - Blackmagic Design Intensity Pro
PCIE_X8_4 Slot

Z77:
SATA6G_1 Port - Osx OS Drive SanDisk Extreme SDSSDX-240G-G25 240GB
SATA6G_2 Port - Windows 7 OS Drive SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD256BW 256GB
SATA3G_1 Port
SATA3G_2 Port
eSATA3G Port
USB3 Ports
USB2 Ports - ASUS External Slim Blu Ray, IOGEAR GBU521W6 Bluetooth 4.0

ASMedia:
SATA6G_E1 Port - Windows 8 OS Drive SanDisk Extreme SDSSDX-240G-G25 240GB
SATA6G_E2 Port - Video Recording Drive SanDisk Extreme SDSSDX-480G-G25 480GB
SATA6G_E3 Port - Video Transcoding Drive SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD256BW 256GB
USB3 Ports

MB Back Panel:
Optical S/PDIF In connector
Optical S/PDIF Out connector
HDMI Port
Display Port
Thunderbolt Port - Seagate STAE129

GeForce GTX 680 4GB Connections:
HDMI – Monitor 24” 1080P (Already Own)
Display Port – 27” 2560 x 1440 Monitor (Future Purchase)
DVI 1
DVI 2

(Note: In Windows 7/8 configured to take advantage of Virtu MVP Hybrid Graphics)

Thanks again!!

 

[sonicseamus]

Everything seems fine. Motherboard should work with a flashed modded BIOS. Separate drives for Win7/8 seems a bit overkill, but that's just my opinion. Why are you running both OSes anyway? No reason you can't go for an 840 Pro for OSX too btw.

Your PSU is WAY overkill. You could easily drop it down to 700W or less.

Idk if the blu-ray will work, but there's only one way to find out .

Good luck!

 

[ElminsterTCOM]

Everything seems fine. Motherboard should work with a flashed modded BIOS. Separate drives for Win7/8 seems a bit overkill, but that's just my opinion. Why are you running both OSes anyway?

I'm not sure about Windows 8 yet, so I figured I'd toy with it. Once I decide what to do about Win 7/8 I'll install the extra SSD into my wife's laptop!

No reason you can't go for an 840 Pro for OSX too btw.

I was thinking about it. I just didn't think OSX needed the extra speed since it is so freaking fast as it is! I have SL installed on my Dell M1530 and it smokes Win 7! It'll come down to what kind of deal I can get on that drive.

Your PSU is WAY overkill. You could easily drop it down to 700W or less.

I originally had a 660W PSU but everyone suggested I go a bit higher. Then I decided that I'll add a second GTX680 when the 700 series cards come out. So I figure that should be sufficient. You think it's still over kill with 2 GTX680's?

Idk if the blu-ray will work, but there's only one way to find out .

Good luck!

Good point, I haven't tried burning any Bluray disks yet with it on my SL install. I can vouch for the drive reading and burning cd's and dvd's though in SL.

Thanks for checking this for me! I'll definitely check everything and let everyone know what works and doesn't work once I'm up and running...

 

[ElminsterTCOM]

Real quick question? Newegg's PSU calculator says 785 W and Extreme power supply calculator lite says 679 W for my future upgrade to dual gtx680's. So would you think an 860W PSU good enough?

Maybe this one?
CORSAIR AX860i 860W Digital ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS PLATINUM Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139041

Thank you!!!

 

[trs96]

Real quick question? Newegg's PSU calculator says 785 W and Extreme power supply calculator lite says 679 W for my future upgrade to dual gtx680's. So would you think an 860W PSU good enough?

Maybe this one?
CORSAIR AX860i 860W Digital ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS PLATINUM Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139041

Thank you!!!

El, no need to worry with a Corsair psu of this build quality. It's over 92 % efficient witht OCP. There's no way you'll have any problems. Get the C.Card ready and place that order, let the building begin I'm interested to see how you do all the cable management in your build. Something of this magnitude I've never attempted before. Take lots of pics for your post on the build. TRS

 

[sonicseamus]

Real quick question? Newegg's PSU calculator says 785 W and Extreme power supply calculator lite says 679 W for my future upgrade to dual gtx680's. So would you think an 860W PSU good enough?

Maybe this one?
CORSAIR AX860i 860W Digital ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS PLATINUM Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139041

Thank you!!!

Yup that PSU should be fine. You should have mentioned the second 680!

 

[ElminsterTCOM]

Changes noted!! I'll start ordering and purchasing parts this weekend (I hope!).. I'll take plenty pf photo's for the build and I'll figure out how to post everything here.

Thank you both very much!!

 

[ElminsterTCOM]

The parts are in and the system is assembled, so the fun has begun! (Still do not have my 27" 2560x1440 monitor or thunderbolt drive) (Note: the MSI Videocard I was going to order was discontinued before I placed the order so I switched to the ASUS GTX680 4 GB model)

Assembly issues:
The Asus GTX680 had a slight mechanical issue that I resolved by removing the slot mounting plate, inserted the card into the slot with the plate loose and then reattaching the plate once the card was installed. The mounting plate was preventing the card from completely entering the PCIe slot.

Boot issues:
Once again, the Asus GTX680 would not let me boot the system when the monitor was directly connected to that card. Turned out to be an issue with the motherboard bios, the patched bios update took care of the problem! Killed two birds with one stone.

Hardware:
This system is smoking fast and I haven't even toyed with overclocking. The swiftech H220 water cooler is dead silent and keeps the CPU hovering at 32C during normal operation. I'll see what it does under heavy load once I get a chance. Did I mention that this Fractal Design case is amazing! Very well built!

Windows 7 Pro is up and running! Windows 8 Pro and Mac OS 10.8.3 are installed, but still need configured. I wanted to get the system up and running as quickly as possible so win7 went first.

Mac OS: I have only been to the desktop and downloaded the Nvidia driver and MultiBeast. I still have not run either. There was some video flickering in safari when I went to download the drivers. The Intel GB LAN and GTX680 are working though and so is the front panel USB 2 ports. I do need to use GraphicsEnabler=No -x on boot for the system to make it to the desktop. I did not install the Wifi/Bluetooth card that came with the ASUS Maximus V Extreme, I didn't think I would ever use the wifi. However, I did buy the recommended Bluetooth USB adapter, but it is still untested.

I was thinking of setting this as a 2012 27" iMac (iMac13,2) thinking that this would kind of match a bit better than a mac pro, what do you think?

Should I continue posting the build and test status/questions here or should I start a new post somewhere else?

Thank you everyone for all of the help!

 

[trs96]

Great to hear you've got the build done! Congrats. Once you've installed MultiBst. and got OS X running:

Check this page out and download the text file for the builds template. Then post in the user builds section.

http://www.tonymacx86.com/user-buil...required-tonymacx86-user-builds-template.html

With the Chimera boot loader installed via multibeast you won't have to use the -x boot flag anymore.

If you need more help with the OS X install, start a thread in the ML desktop support section.

TRS