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- Sep 3, 2012
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(FINISHED) Node 2.0 - a Hackintosh build
I am a proud Mac user that has hit a wall - Apple refuses to build a mac with Bluray, I don´t like the screen on their iMacs, Mac Pro is too expensive and laptops is not for me.
Therefore I am using a Mac Mini as my daily machine, but it´s a little underpowered now when I have started more and more gaming and picture/video editing.
Solution - build a Hackintosh!
A few requirements:
After an almost endless parts search I have just ordered this:
MSI Z77-MA-G45 motherboard (easy to hack and love the colour scheme)
Intel i3 3225 3.3GHz IvyBridge CPU (low TDP with plenty of power)
Cooled by a NoiseBlocker modified Noctua (with two M12-S1 8dB fans)
Corsair DDR 1600 CL9 16GB low profile RAM (3225 native supports DDR 1600)
ASUS GTX660 TOP 2GB graphics card (nVidia is easiest to get working in OSX)
LyCOM PE-107 FireWire 800/400 PCIe card (should be OSX compatible)
IOGear GBU521 bluetooth adapter (should work natively in OSX)
Silverstone SST-SOB02 Blu-Ray burner (slot in type and perfect match for the case)
Two Intel 520 series 240GB SSDs in RAID0 (FAST! and reliable)
Two NoiseBlocker M8-S1 (8dB fans to blow in a little fresh air)
One NoiseBlocker M12-S1 (8db fan in the top of the case above CPU cooler)
Seasonic X400 fanless PSU (plenty powerful and build to last)
Lastly, the NoFAN CS-70 case (it´s very unusual and easily could be something Apple had thought up + perfect for true noiseless build without killing your hardware)
There is also a bunch of adapters and other non-important stuff.
Maybe not the most impressive list, but sure gives bang for the buck and can run very very very quiet.
Before I end this first post I want to show you a quick render of how it will end up looking:
Yes, I will mod it here and there, starting with the front logo :dremel:
//stay tuned!
- - - Updated - - -
Yes, NOW I am done!
Final pictures have ended up on my Flickr which will be updated with full blog in native resolution for those who are curious.
Here you have a few of them:
See more at my flickr here.
Btw, the quick will notice the new geeklets on my wallpaper and the mods I have done to the menubar and dock - check out my modified geeklets, DockMod, how I have hidden Synkron apps dock icon, hidden a few rarely used menubar icons and in the end fixed the last strange hiccup.
This machine runs smooth as butter now!
Could be slightly faster in terms of CPU, but im waiting for the 3770T or S to go down in price - I have reached well beyond all my requirements already.
Thank you for following my little diary
Hope I inspired a few.
//Enjoy!
:rock:
I am a proud Mac user that has hit a wall - Apple refuses to build a mac with Bluray, I don´t like the screen on their iMacs, Mac Pro is too expensive and laptops is not for me.
Therefore I am using a Mac Mini as my daily machine, but it´s a little underpowered now when I have started more and more gaming and picture/video editing.
Solution - build a Hackintosh!
A few requirements:
- Better performance than my 2011 dual core i7 Mac Mini (the Node)
- More quiet
- Blu-ray
- Legacy bluetooth and firewire 400/800 support
After an almost endless parts search I have just ordered this:
MSI Z77-MA-G45 motherboard (easy to hack and love the colour scheme)
Intel i3 3225 3.3GHz IvyBridge CPU (low TDP with plenty of power)
Cooled by a NoiseBlocker modified Noctua (with two M12-S1 8dB fans)
Corsair DDR 1600 CL9 16GB low profile RAM (3225 native supports DDR 1600)
ASUS GTX660 TOP 2GB graphics card (nVidia is easiest to get working in OSX)
LyCOM PE-107 FireWire 800/400 PCIe card (should be OSX compatible)
IOGear GBU521 bluetooth adapter (should work natively in OSX)
Silverstone SST-SOB02 Blu-Ray burner (slot in type and perfect match for the case)
Two Intel 520 series 240GB SSDs in RAID0 (FAST! and reliable)
Two NoiseBlocker M8-S1 (8dB fans to blow in a little fresh air)
One NoiseBlocker M12-S1 (8db fan in the top of the case above CPU cooler)
Seasonic X400 fanless PSU (plenty powerful and build to last)
Lastly, the NoFAN CS-70 case (it´s very unusual and easily could be something Apple had thought up + perfect for true noiseless build without killing your hardware)
There is also a bunch of adapters and other non-important stuff.
Maybe not the most impressive list, but sure gives bang for the buck and can run very very very quiet.
Before I end this first post I want to show you a quick render of how it will end up looking:
Yes, I will mod it here and there, starting with the front logo :dremel:
//stay tuned!
- - - Updated - - -
Yes, NOW I am done!
Final pictures have ended up on my Flickr which will be updated with full blog in native resolution for those who are curious.
Here you have a few of them:
See more at my flickr here.
Btw, the quick will notice the new geeklets on my wallpaper and the mods I have done to the menubar and dock - check out my modified geeklets, DockMod, how I have hidden Synkron apps dock icon, hidden a few rarely used menubar icons and in the end fixed the last strange hiccup.
This machine runs smooth as butter now!
Could be slightly faster in terms of CPU, but im waiting for the 3770T or S to go down in price - I have reached well beyond all my requirements already.
Thank you for following my little diary
Hope I inspired a few.
//Enjoy!
:rock: