hyspace's Xeon build: GA-X150-PRO WS - Xeon E3 1275 v5 - PNY GTX 960

[hyspace]

hyspace's Xeon build:
GA-X150-PRO WS - Xeon E3 1275 v5 - PNY GTX 960 - Intel SSD 600p​

Components

Gigabyte GA-X150-PLUS WS (C232 Chipset)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AG8WKOY/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Intel Xeon E3 1275 v5
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018C5DM9K/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

PNY GeForce GTX 960 4GB
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V68LMF2/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Intel SSD 600p 512GB
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JSJA65C/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Crucial 16GB Kit (8GBx2) DDR4 2133
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BIWKUVC/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

IOGEAR Bluetooth 4.0 USB Micro Adapter
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007GFX0PY/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

TP-LINK N900 Wireless PCI Express Adapter
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007GMPZ0A/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

SeaSonic G Series 550-Watt Power Supply
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00918MEZG/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Already Owned

LG 27UD68-P 27-Inch 4K UHD IPS Monitor
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CH9ZTI4/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

CoolMaster COSMOS SE
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HZ4L50S/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Comments

This is a build that did not follow the suggestions. I thought that I can follow the suggestion but simply replace Core i7 6700 with Xeon E3 1275. Unfortunately, the Z170 Chipset do not compatible with Xeon v5 processors. I returned the Z170 mobo and brought a C232 mobo, then spent 20 hour to make this build fully work. The challenges are: BIOS config, NVMe SSD and Realtek 892 HDA. This build won't work with simple Unibeast - Multibeast flow. Should carefully follow instructions.

Preparation
Download:
macOS sierra 10.12.1 installer
Unibeast 7.0.1
Multibeast 9.0.1
DON'T PLUG IN BLUETOOTH DONGLE YET, or PAN will become the Default network interface, so that you can not log into app store.

UEFI Settings
Before running installer, following step should be done configure BIOS, or the installer cannot boot.
1. Set to Optimized Defaults.
2. Disable VT-d
3. Enable EHCI Handoff
4. Changing OS Type to "Other OS"

Make USB installer
1. Run Unibeast to make a usb installer. After running Unibeast, you should have a EFI partition mounted by Unibeast.
2. Patch the installer to make it can install macOS on a NVMe SSD:
Here comes the first challenge. You should follow the step 9-18 of this Thread #8:
http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/to...vme-under-macos-sierra-is-ready/#entry2246306
You can download the kext file in the Thread #8.
Some comment:
1)You should directly edit the config.plist in the EFI partition in the usb disk in step 9.
2)Don't do step 1-8 and 19-20, since it will be done by Unibeast and Multibeast
3)If installer is still not bootable, check for config.plist, make sure nv_disable=1 flag is set

Post Installation
After installation, you should be able to boot into the macOS with the Clover bootloader on your USB installer.
The Following hardware is not working at this time.
Ethernet
Audio
Graphic card(should using CPU rendering)

We are going to run Multibeast to install drivers, in following steps.

1. First run of Multibeast:
Multibeast Config:
----------------------------------
Quick Start > UEFI Boot Mode
Drivers > Misc > FakeSMC v6.18-313-9671f31c.1707
Drivers > Network > Intel > IntelMausiEthernet v2.1.0d3
Bootloaders > Clover v2.3k r3423 UEFI Boot Mode
Customize > System Definitions > iMac > iMac 14,2
----------------------------------

Don't choose System Definitions for Mac Pro.
Should run this for your SSD partition, NOT USB disk.

2. Apply DSDT fixes
Open the config.plist in your SSD EFI partition(not on USB), Enable following fixes, in DSDT secion:
----------------------------------
<key>DSDT</key>
<dict>
<key>Fixes</key>
<dict>
<key>AddDTGP_0001</key>
<true/>
<key>FixHDA_8000</key>
<true/>
<key>FixShutdown_0004</key>
<true/>
<key>FixUSB_1000</key>
<true/>
</dict>
</dict>
----------------------------------
You should make sure AddDTGP_0001, FixHDA_8000, FixShutdown_0004 is setting to true.
FixUSB_1000 is optional.
This step is injecting the HDA. Without this step, the driver for Realtek 892 will not work.

3. remove USB installer (to make sure you boot with Clover on SSD) and Reboot

4. Install driver for Realtek 892
Now you should see Ethernet working. From now you can plug in the Bluetooth dongle.
Run Multibeast again with this config:
----------------------------------
Drivers > Audio > Realtek ALCxxx > ALC892
----------------------------------

5. Install Driver for Graphic card and enable Nvidia driver boot flag (can use new flag NvidiaWeb section)

6. add darkwake=0 to boot flag to make sleep works

7. Reboot, you should have everything working now.

Performance
Disk R/W : 1500MB/500MB
CPU score similar to Core i7 6700K
https://browser.geekbench.com/v4/cpu/977333

Existing problem
1. CPU is recognized as Core i7 in "About this Mac"
2. HDMI audio output (may be able to solve)

 

[UtterDisbelief]

hyspace's Xeon build:
GA-X150-PRO WS - Xeon E3 1275 v5 - PNY GTX 960 - Intel SSD 600p​

...

I'm no expert on Zeon CPUs but just wanted to say "Well done!" for taking on the challenge. Looks like a powerful machine. Look forward to any follow-ups.

 

[slashterix]

Awesome build! Do you have ECC RAM working?

 

[JohnnyJinn]

sorry for reviving this post, but is there any follow ups in the build, and does it apply on my e3-1230 v5 too?

 

[hyspace]

sorry for reviving this post, but is there any follow ups in the build, and does it apply on my e3-1230 v5 too?

Everything works fine. I think your e3-1230 should be fine if you have compatible Mobo.

 

[JohnnyJinn]

Everything works fine. I think your e3-1230 should be fine if you have compatible Mobo.

Thx for the reply, I'm using the exact same mono ur using, i as wondering if i do the exact same steps u do, except the sad part since i'm using a normal sata sad, can i manage to get everything working just fine?

 

[hyspace]

Thx for the reply, I'm using the exact same mono ur using, i as wondering if i do the exact same steps u do, except the sad part since i'm using a normal sata sad, can i manage to get everything working just fine?

Normal SATA is even easier for setup. I'm pretty sure that everything will work with same Clover setting of mine.

 

[JohnnyJinn]

Normal SATA is even easier for setup. I'm pretty sure that everything will work with same Clover setting of mine.

I will start the build early June, still saving up for some of the parts, if there's any issues can I address them in this post and seek help from you?

 

[hyspace]

Since I'm not pro as well, I don't think I can help if you meet some problem. I can send you the config.plist for reference if you need.

 

[JohnnyJinn]

Since I'm not pro as well, I don't think I can help if you meet some problem. I can send you the config.plist for reference if you need.

that would be real helpful, thank you.