Success: Celeron G550 - GA-H61M-S1 - 8GB RAM - NV8800GT - 10.8.2 [VERY CHEAP]

[sthEn]

Success: Celeron i5 3470 - GA-H61M-S1 - 16GB RAM - NV8800GT - 10.8.2

G550 - GA-H61M-S1 - 8GB RAM - NV8800GT - 10.8.2

Components

Intel Celeron G550 2.60GHz
- http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009FI4FCC/

GA-H61M-S1
- http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007RL2W5Q/

Kingston 8 GB Kit (2x4 GB Modules) 1333MHz DDR3
- http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002K27KW2/

Fractal Design Core 1000 Case
- http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0074V2UXI/

OS X Mountain Lion
- https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/os-x-mountain-lion/id537386512?ls=1&mt=12

SanDisk Cruzer Blade 8GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007KFAG7U/


Already Owned

MSI GEFORCE NV8800GT 512MB
MSI GEFORCE NV9400GT 512MB Passive
250GB ST3250318AS
120GB WD1200JS-00MHB0

I don't think you can buy them anywhere anymore, probably on eBay.


Comments

Installation was quite easy (once i found out the proper way of course). Boot Installer with UniBeast using "GraphicsEnabler=Yes PCIRootUID=0" flags. After OS was correctly installed, first boot with UniBeast using the same flags. On MultiBeast i just checked DSDT and Lnx2Mac Ethernet (DSDT can befound in this forum for exactly this motherboard). After installing DSDT, there was time for the first boot without UniBeast - it worked, but with no audio of course. So i ran MultiBeast again and select ONLY Current ALC877 Without DSDT.

I don't know if everything is working, such as HDMI audio, sleep and wake etc. Honestly - I don't care, because i'm not using this features anyway. I can boot and restart just fine, and that's what pleases me Only problem is Core i7 in About this Mac instead of G550.



Geekbench x64: 5099

 

[taoyh23]

Did you succuse to P-state?
My CPU only 16 and 26 ratio

 

[sthEn]

According to HWMonitor - 16, 18, 26.

Windows CPU-Z is showing me 16 on idle, and 26 while working, so i think it's okay.



P.S. I just flashed a new BIOS to my 8800GT with slower fan speeds - 33% till temp. 65 - finally silence when i'm not playing games I couldn't find any working GPU Fan Control software, so had to do it "the hard way". Befere flashing it was 66% on idle or 100% while gaming, so rather loud ;>

I also did geekbench, scoring 5099, which is nice considering the price ;D

 

[sthEn]

Aww yeah, just got 16GB HyperX DDR3 2x8GB in exchange for my broken 2x2GB DDR2 I love DDR3 prices D

 

[goober296]

Nice build, I've done 5 of the celeron\pentium builds and they are great and cheap. For most of us they are more than powerful enough plus they give you a chance to use some older graphics cards that people are all but giving away. Well done!!!

 

[Stork]

+1 goober296!

This type of build is great for general purpose computing and surfing the web, even listening to iTunes while doing your thing. Supercomputing is a hobby as very few of us need the horsepower to have a HTPC or desktop computer for wordprocessing, etc.

 

[qwerty123]

What about power supply? Does it much matter?

 

[goober296]

Most people suggest using a name-brand power supply and that is the wise choice. I prefer to use the cheapest thing i can find as i am not a power user. I have been using Cheap diablotek's for over a year now and they run 24-7. Good enough for me. But you may feel safer using something else.

 

[sthEn]

All i can say is that G550 is powerful enough for absolutely all the tasks i'm using it for 8800gt is still quite good too (when we're not playing FullHD of course).

As for the power supply - i'm using some shi**y modecom Feel 420W now, but i guess i'll change in anytime soon. Especially when Radeon 7xxx support will be ready.

 

[sthEn]

Ok, got Core i5-3470 as a gift today My build is no longer "VERY CHEAP" :>