My first hackintosh - will this work? (z77x-d3h)

[killjoy]

Hello!

I've been playing around with this idea of building my first hackintosh for several weeks now, and now I'm finally ready to realize it. What I plan on doing with it: dual-boot it with windows, photo editing (amateur), sound editing (pro tools) and playing a good game every now and then (actually, I am quite looking forward on playing newer games since I always thought my current rig is too slow to run anything and it's honestly been years since I actually played an FPS game).
I have been thinking about something like this:

i5 3570k
GA-z77x-UD3H (?)
Corsair Vengeance blue 2x4gb kit 1600Mhz CL9-9-9-24
EVGA gtx 660 superclocked, 2gb GDDR5
Corsair CX750 750W
...


I have a bunch of questions though:
- Will I have any problems with the mentioned motherboard? Should I rather go with ga-z77x-ud5h? (I am on a tight budget though, and I'm trying to save as much as I can at the moment)
- Is 750w enough considering I am planning to get another 660 when one will not be enough anymore?
- Should I go with a motherboard that supports 2133Mhz memory (is there much difference? Why is everyone installing 1600Mhz modules when their motherboard supports way more is something I don't understand honestly - can someone clarify this for me?) considering I am planning to have this rig for a while and I will definitely be upgrading it. I don't want my system to get outdated a year after I buy it. This is probably also a very awkward time to be buying a new rig since ddr4 is around the corner too..

I haven't decided on the HDD and case yet, but I think my budget will not allow me to go with a SSD...

Upgrading plans for year(s) to come:
another 2x4GB kit
another 660
getting a better cooling system for CPU and OC it to 4k+

How does this sound? Does anyone, please, have any suggestions? I want to get as much out of my money as I can and to have this for a while.

Thank you!

 

[aaron97]

Hello!

I've been playing around with this idea of building my first hackintosh for several weeks now, and now I'm finally ready to realize it. What I plan on doing with it: dual-boot it with windows, photo editing (amateur), sound editing (pro tools) and playing a good game every now and then (actually, I am quite looking forward on playing newer games since I always thought my current rig is too slow to run anything and it's honestly been years since I actually played an FPS game).
I have been thinking about something like this:

i5 3570k
GA-z77x-UD3H (?)
Corsair Vengeance blue 2x4gb kit 1600Mhz CL9-9-9-24
EVGA gtx 660 superclocked, 2gb GDDR5
Corsair CX750 750W
...


I have a bunch of questions though:
- Will I have any problems with the mentioned motherboard? Should I rather go with ga-z77x-ud5h? (I am on a tight budget though, and I'm trying to save as much as I can at the moment)
- Is 750w enough considering I am planning to get another 660 when one will not be enough anymore?
- Should I go with a motherboard that supports 2133Mhz memory (is there much difference? Why is everyone installing 1600Mhz modules when their motherboard supports way more is something I don't understand honestly - can someone clarify this for me?) considering I am planning to have this rig for a while and I will definitely be upgrading it. I don't want my system to get outdated a year after I buy it. This is probably also a very awkward time to be buying a new rig since ddr4 is around the corner too..

I haven't decided on the HDD and case yet, but I think my budget will not allow me to go with a SSD...

Upgrading plans for year(s) to come:
another 2x4GB kit
another 660
getting a better cooling system for CPU and OC it to 4k+

How does this sound? Does anyone, please, have any suggestions? I want to get as much out of my money as I can and to have this for a while.

Thank you!

I don't think you would have any problem even if you went as low as 600 watt provided it was from a good PSU maker like seasonic or corsair.

 

[killjoy]

I don't think you would have any problem even if you went as low as 600 watt provided it was from a good PSU maker like seasonic or corsair.

Even with an extra gtx660 and another 8gb ram kit and let's say a corsair's thermal cooling system? I thought I was on the edge with 750W already.

 

[aaron97]

Even with an extra gtx660 and another 8gb ram kit and let's say a corsair's thermal cooling system? I thought I was on the edge with 750W already.

People always seem to recommend ridiculously oversized PSU's. I'm not sure why, but to me its wasted money. I wouldn't go any lower then a good 600 watt PSU. You could probably go lower, but just for efficiency I'd stick with 600 watts such as this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020. But that PSU will have no trouble powering two 660's even if you over clocked.

 

[killjoy]

People always seem to recommend ridiculously oversized PSU's. I'm not sure why, but to me its wasted money. I wouldn't go any lower then a good 600 watt PSU. You could probably go lower, but just for efficiency I'd stick with 600 watts such as this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020. But that PSU will have no trouble powering two 660's even if you over clocked.

gotcha. thank you.


still seeking some motherboard advice. it is about the only thing left I'm somewhat unsure about and the only thing holding me back from finally buying all the components

 

[trs96]

gotcha. thank you.


still seeking some motherboard advice. it is about the only thing left I'm somewhat unsure about and the only thing holding me back from finally buying all the components

Type the name of your selected mobo Z77X-D3H into the search box. Read the threads about builds with
this board to determine if the problems it will present will be more than you want to deal with. The buyer's
guide models usually make it easier to get everything fully working. If you can live with out the ports and
VIA audio that don't work well then go with that board.

 

[aaron97]

gotcha. thank you.


still seeking some motherboard advice. it is about the only thing left I'm somewhat unsure about and the only thing holding me back from finally buying all the components

What is stopping you from getting a cheap fully compatible board likt the DS3H?

 

[killjoy]

What is stopping you from getting a cheap fully compatible board likt the DS3H?

I would, but I need SLI support. I guess I'll just go with the D3H and prepare myself to troubleshoot some problems. I'll save like 80 bucks

Thank you

 

[aaron97]

I would, but I need SLI support. I guess I'll just go with the D3H and prepare myself to troubleshoot some problems. I'll save like 80 bucks

Thank you

Just keep in mind SLI only works under windows.

 

[killjoy]

Just keep in mind SLI only works under windows.

Oh, I know, don't worry.

Just sent out the order, I went with this:



EVGA GeForce GTX 660 Superclocked, 2GB GDDR5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130826

INTEL CORE I5-3570K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

ASUS DRW-24B5ST
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204&Tpk=ASUS%20DRW-24B5ST&IsVirtualParent=1

Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128546

Corsair Vengeance Low Profile DIMM Kit blue 8GB PC3-12800U
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233196

CORSAIR V2 650W TX 650TXV2EU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

Thermaltake Chaser A31
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133212

Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB, 64MB Cache, SATA 6Gb/s
/


Is this solid? I decided to take a 650tx instead of 750cx, thought it's probably a better idea, or more reliable at least. Still gonna hit my wallet harder than I thought - 820€, which is something over a thousand bucks. ****ing Europe