mpick92's Build - GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 - i5-2500k - XFX HD 6870

[mpick92]

mpick92's Build - GA-Z68X-UD3H- i5-2500k - XFX HD 6870

CPU - Intel i5-2500k
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

GPU - XFX HD 6870 HD-687AZDFC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150521

Motherboard - Gigabyte Intel Z68 ATX GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00518M74I/

RAM - Corsair Vengeance Low Profile 8 GB 1600mhz
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00569K7LM/

CPU Fan - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G1YPH0/

PSU - OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EYV690/

Case - NZXT Technologies H2
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ULYPVK/


Already Own

Monitor - Viewsonic 24in Slim
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LXK8LI/r

Western Digital 640gb Drive (Dual-boot OS X / W7)
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Caviar-Drive-WD6400AAKS/dp/B0017XUX7O/

Seagate 1.5tb (Media Storage – exFat format)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004CVJID8/

Keyboard/Mouse – Logitech mk520
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VANO7C/

Speakers – Logitech X-530
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002WPSCG/

Webcam – Logitech C615
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004YW7WCY/


Comments

Build Notes
• This was my first time building a computer and it went very smoothly – as well as the installation of Lion. The website support and software are amazing, making this a fun hassle-free project. I was up and running dual boot after a total of 6-8 hours, including build time.
• For the OCZ PSU, I would not buy this again in combination with my NZXT case, many cables I could not route behind motherboard because of short length.
• In W7, it took awhile to disable the overscan feature (the 6870 found my 1080p monitor and shrunk the picture). It was a small oversight in CCC program.
• The NZXT H2 case “on light” may be dead, a slight annoyance. Otherwise rather pleased with the case - it is simple and almost inaudible.

My Installation Procedure
• Read over all Golden Builds
• Determined what components will cost me, which video card works OOB (almost every 6870/6850 I think…), and which PC case doesn’t have LED lights everywhere
• Bought components from combination of Newegg and Amazon
• Build UniBeast flash drive and determine which DSDT I need for MultiBeast (Hold DEL key for bios on gigabyte boards, I found bios version on CPU clocking page)
• Watch Youtube video - http://tonymacx86.blogspot.com/2011/12/ ... etail.html

Dual-Boot Procedure on single drive
• Boot with UniBeast, go to Disk Utilities, choose drive, then Partition tab
• Format drive with two partitions, GUID scheme (under Options), 1st is MacOSX Extended (Journaled) and 2nd is FAT32 for W7
• Exit and reboot with W7 disk in tray, hold F12 and choose CD Drive
• Install W7 on FAT32 space, it will need to be deleted and windows will automatically format it NTSC.
• Install updates and drivers for windows
• Plug in flash drive and boot to UniBeast again
• Install on Lion partition
• Copy DSDT to desktop (rename to DSDT.aml), run MultiBeast
• All done, hold DOWN arrow during boot to get into Chimera and boot into windows

 

[light up]

Hi mpick,

Does your webcam (C615) work on Skype in Lion? All I get is sound but no picture.
Tried the official Logitech drivers as well - same result.

 

[mpick92]

Yes my camera works just fine in all applications, including skype, just like a normal iMac or MacBook. All I had to do was plug mine in. Skype is sometimes weird when you start a call, sometimes you have to hit the video chat button after you've connected with someone.

 

[mpick92]

I am actually have trouble with my Logitech Webcam C615. After doing plugging in my printer, HP Deskjet, while installing drivers it gives me a grey error screen (hold power to reboot, etc). However, when it boots back up, the webcam won't work anymore. I've had this problem before with a different issue, but ended up reinstalling OS X completely. I opened up photo booth, black box. Open up skype, it gave me audio, but when it tried for picture, it gave me another grey error screen.
Does anyone have quirks with the C615 camera or could it be a weird bug with other components in my system?

 

[magnumjoe]

Hi mpick 92, I'm about to place an order very similar to your build, you stated you wanted a pc case with out LED lights everywhere, this is the case I currently have in my basket http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811147153. I just want to make sure the LED light will not interfere with the build.

 

[magnumjoe]

Disregard my last post I'm going with the Antec 300 Black case.

 

[mpick92]

Looks like a nice case to me!
Wish I went with something a little different than the NZXT H2, but not a big deal.
Unless you're on a budget, the Corsair 550d is a sweet case (without LED's); it wasn't available when I put my system together.
Good luck!