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- Nov 14, 2011
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Alright, I had built different machines/frankensteined together parts waaay back in the day when Tiger and Leopard was all the rage. I then switched to Apple products (iMacs, Mac minis, MacBook Airs). I want a more powerful machine than I can get from Apple for about $800-1200. I have put together the following build and would like some confirmation on its viability:
CPU: i7-2600k
MB: GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB
PSU: Seasonic SS-460. I would like to keep the machine as silent as possible. This is a fanless PSU, will it provide enough power once I add a 6870, it seems most 6870 cards recommend 500+? If not, can anyone recommend the quietest PSU that would be able to handle it.
CPU FAN: COOLER MASTER Hyper N 520
VIDEO: At least to begin with, I'd just stick with the HD3000 onboard with the i7-2600k. I currently use a Mid 2010 Mac mini with a Core 2 Duo (2.4 and onboard video), I don't need a lot of video power. In looking around, it seems like there can be some issues with these when you have a large amount of RAM, is that true?
HDD: I have a 7200RPM 750GB Scorpio black from an old build that I'd use as a boot drive until I can afford a 256GB MLC SSD.
AIRPORT: Atheros AR5BXB112 Dual-Band PCI-E. I would attach this via a Mini PCI-E to PCI-E x1 card with triple antennas.
BLUETOOTH: Jabra A320s Bluetooth Adapter
CASE: I have a few old Mid-Tower ATX cases laying around, I'll start with that until I find exactly what I'd like to do with it.
I currently own a retail copy of 10.6 and I have purchased 10.7 on my current machine (Mac mini). I believe that this build would rightfully spank even the highest end iMac, am I about correct? I know without having a dedicated graphics card at the moment, it wouldn't be quite as good in terms of video performance. This setup would be as is until about Christmas or maybe a few months after, at which point I'd add a 6870 and a 256GB (or if I really don't need the extra space, 128GB) MLC SSD.
What issues will I run into with this build? How much faster than a top end iMac can I expect it to be? Am I locking myself into a pointless build, as I keep hearing about Ivy Bridge? Any other general issues or concerns the more experienced builders out there can help a relative noob out with! I've lurked for a while on this site and I've tried to line up this build for relatively little problems, just looking for some clarification/help.
Thanks guys!
CPU: i7-2600k
MB: GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB
PSU: Seasonic SS-460. I would like to keep the machine as silent as possible. This is a fanless PSU, will it provide enough power once I add a 6870, it seems most 6870 cards recommend 500+? If not, can anyone recommend the quietest PSU that would be able to handle it.
CPU FAN: COOLER MASTER Hyper N 520
VIDEO: At least to begin with, I'd just stick with the HD3000 onboard with the i7-2600k. I currently use a Mid 2010 Mac mini with a Core 2 Duo (2.4 and onboard video), I don't need a lot of video power. In looking around, it seems like there can be some issues with these when you have a large amount of RAM, is that true?
HDD: I have a 7200RPM 750GB Scorpio black from an old build that I'd use as a boot drive until I can afford a 256GB MLC SSD.
AIRPORT: Atheros AR5BXB112 Dual-Band PCI-E. I would attach this via a Mini PCI-E to PCI-E x1 card with triple antennas.
BLUETOOTH: Jabra A320s Bluetooth Adapter
CASE: I have a few old Mid-Tower ATX cases laying around, I'll start with that until I find exactly what I'd like to do with it.
I currently own a retail copy of 10.6 and I have purchased 10.7 on my current machine (Mac mini). I believe that this build would rightfully spank even the highest end iMac, am I about correct? I know without having a dedicated graphics card at the moment, it wouldn't be quite as good in terms of video performance. This setup would be as is until about Christmas or maybe a few months after, at which point I'd add a 6870 and a 256GB (or if I really don't need the extra space, 128GB) MLC SSD.
What issues will I run into with this build? How much faster than a top end iMac can I expect it to be? Am I locking myself into a pointless build, as I keep hearing about Ivy Bridge? Any other general issues or concerns the more experienced builders out there can help a relative noob out with! I've lurked for a while on this site and I've tried to line up this build for relatively little problems, just looking for some clarification/help.
Thanks guys!
