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[Success] DrEskimo's Hackintosh R4: Core i7-4770K - GA-Z87X-UD4H - 8GB RAM - GTX 770 2GB

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Joined
Mar 11, 2014
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329
Motherboard
Hackintosh R4
CPU
Intel i7 4770k
Graphics
GTX 770
Mac
  1. MacBook Pro
Mobile Phone
  1. Android
  2. iOS
DrEskimo's Hackintosh R4: Core i7-4770K - GA-Z87X-UD4H - 8GB RAM - GTX 770 2GB

102240-about-mac.png
Components

GIGABYTE GA-Z87X-UD4H LGA 1150 ATX Motherboard
[AMAZON-uk]http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00D5EZK08/[/AMAZON-uk]

Intel Core i7-4770K Haswell Processor
[AMAZON-uk]http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00CO8TBQ0/[/AMAZON-uk]

MSI Nvidia GTX 770 Gaming 2GB
[AMAZON-uk]http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00D3XW8MO[/AMAZON-uk]

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
[AMAZON-uk]http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004I763AW/[/AMAZON-uk]

Fractal Design Define R4 Case (Black/Pearl w/Window)
[AMAZON-uk]http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009XLMYJC/[/AMAZON-uk]

Corsair RM650 80 Plus Gold Fully Modular Power Supply
[AMAZON-uk]http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FG9FWF8[/AMAZON-uk]

2 X Samsung 840 EVO 250GB Solid State Drives
[AMAZON-uk]http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00E391OX6/[/AMAZON-uk]

Corsair Hydro H75 Liquid AIO CPU Cooler
[AMAZON-uk]http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FZHWFEW/[/AMAZON-uk]

TP-Link WDN4800 450Mbps Wireless Adapter
[AMAZON-uk]http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007GMPZ0A/[/AMAZON-uk]

GMYLE Micro USB Bluetooth 4.0 Dongle
[AMAZON-uk]http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007MKMJGO/[/AMAZON-uk]

Corsair M45 Gaming Mouse
[AMAZON-uk]http://www.amazon.co.ukdp/B00I6CVY9A/[/AMAZON-uk]


Already Owned

Apple Wireless Keyboard
[AMAZON-uk]http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005EMLOU4/[/AMAZON-uk]

Apple Magic Trackpad
[AMAZON-uk]http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003XLYAWC/[/AMAZON-uk]


Comments

The build was very straight forward. Tested everything outside of the case then put it together.

I firstly installed Windows onto one of the SSD's and used Prime95 and Memtest to stress test my components. Everything went fine and was ready for Hackintosh.

I disconnected the Windows SSD and connected the OS X SSD ready for install.

I followed the Installation guide to create the UniBeast Installer on my MacBook Air: http://www.tonymacx86.com/374-unibeast-install-os-x-mavericks-any-supported-intel-based-pc.html

I then booted into the BIOS and used the settings as outlined in HennoeR's Guide (cheers buddy!)
http://www.tonymacx86.com/user-buil...-gigabyte-gtx-770-2gb-gigabyte-z87x-ud4h.html

I had issues getting into the installer so tried -x, but it didn't work, so tried -v and was successful. I then had an issue with my USB keyboard not working at the installer so had to try lots of different USB ports. I also found the 'maxmem=4096' boot loader worked as well.

Once I was installed I launched MultiBeast and used the following settings.

102242-multibeast-settings.png


Problem 1 - No Audio

Everything went smoothly until I did an update and then lost sound. I followed this amazing guide: http://www.tonymacx86.com/audio/112461-mavericks-no-audio-realtek-alc-applehda-guide-74.html

and installed the Realtek ALC AppleHDA using this guide: http://www.tonymacx86.com/audio/112458-mavericks-audio-realtek-alc-applehda-guide-12.html

Once the sound was sorted my Hack was up and running and fully operational.

Problem 2 - Dual Boot

I then went to dual boot with my already created Windows SSD to find that I didn't read this guide before hand: http://www.tonymacx86.com/multi-booting/96000-guide-dual-booting-mountain-lion-windows-8-a-21.html

I therefore had to reinstall my Windows OS after making sure my BIOS settings were set to Legacy only. I had an issue in creating the USB installer on my MacBook Air using Bootcamp, since it wasn't in the right format, and the Legacy boot wouldn't recognize it.

I found this thread: http://www.tonymacx86.com/mavericks...pgrade-windows-8-1-legacy-mode-dual-boot.html

I had to reinstall my Windows OS using UEFI, since I didn't have a Windows machine. Download the software in Windows to create a USB installed in MBR format, then reinstall Windows for the final time in Legacy mode

Problem 3 - No Audio after Sleep

My system went to sleep and noticed I had no sound. Nice and simple, I had to just go into the motherboard BIOS and change the Audio Controller setting to 'Enabled' in the Peripherals section

Problem 4 - Cant use Apple Wireless Keyboard to select OS in Boot Loader

Unfortunately, the system won't recognize the Bluetooth dongle before the OS, so I can't use my wireless keyboard to select my OS at the boot loader. I have a Wired keyboard at work, so i am gonna swap them out. Might look into other Dongles that might work at the boot loader, but the GMYLE dongle works flawlessly in both OS systems, so reluctant to mess about. Happy to go wired to solve this issue.

Theme

Finally, I wanted to use a nice theme for the boot loader, so used the guide from xtremekiters and installed the Mavs Style theme (thanks buddy!): http://www.tonymacx86.com/user-buil...770k-ga-z87x-ud3h-16gb-ram-gtx-770-4gb-2.html

I also changed the pic in the 'About this Mac' using this guide: http://www.tonymacx86.com/customization/76028-guide-how-customize-about-mac.html

Thats everything! I did some minor case mods to get a clean black and red look in my build, so let me know if you want any details on that, but otherwise I am a very happy chappy!

Enjoy the pics!:thumbup:
 

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What a clean build! Very similar specs to mine. Curious - what made you choose the MSI variant of the 770? Also, the wires on that PSU are MONEY. Makes for that super sleek install.

Well done!
 
What a clean build! Very similar specs to mine. Curious - what made you choose the MSI variant of the 770? Also, the wires on that PSU are MONEY. Makes for that super sleek install.

Well done!

Thanks! A product of too much time and slight OCD I think...

No real reason why I chose the MSI GTX 770. Heard good things about the Twin Frozr design though. I kinda wish I went with the EVGA one, since it has good support for backing plates and water-cooling (which I might look into in the future). I ended up finding a company that did custom backplates for the MSI though and pretty pleased with outcome. The brown PCB is so ugly!

Yea the flat cables from the Corsair RM series are nice. Easy to cable manage. I think I prefer the braided cables though...was very tempted to get some sleeving and do an entire custom wiring mod. Corsair do make a custom wiring set, which are a set of braided cables, but at £90+ for the set, I thought better of it!

Cheers :thumbup:
 
DrEskimo very well done both the system and the posting. I like your red highlights.

Your post indicates that you have the case version with a window. Could you post a photo that shows what you see through the window?

Good modding,
neil
 
DrEskimo very well done both the system and the posting. I like your red highlights.

Your post indicates that you have the case version with a window. Could you post a photo that shows what you see through the window?

Good modding,
neil

Cheers Neil Hart :thumbup:

I like to think I hit home the point that there are loads of threads on here, and if you use the search function, you can usually troubleshoot on your own!

Here are some pics of the window side panel (sorry bit poor since its getting dark here now and had to use the flash..). I actually ordered the standard panel, but realised I was going to such a length to make the inside look nice, it deserved a window panel to peek in. It was another £15.

I then played around with the standard panel with a side mounted fan, but found no real different in temps, and the noise was too much to handle, so stuck with the windowed side panel.
 

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What did you do to change the power button LED from blue to red? Loving that! Though I don't think my USB ports on the top are USB 3 so I guess you may simply have a later version of the case to the one I have.
 
What did you do to change the power button LED from blue to red? Loving that! Though I don't think my USB ports on the top are USB 3 so I guess you may simply have a later version of the case to the one I have.

The LED in mine was blue as well. Its a fairly simple mod to do.

You need:

  • Small LED of your colour choice
  • Long nosed pliers
  • Solder (optional but does help)
  • Heat shrink wrap

1/ Remove the front cover to expose the front connectors.
2/ Locate the wire that leads to the LED. It is in front of the power button.
3/ Using long nosed pliers you need to gently wiggle the LED free from the front case. I need to emphasise gently here! If you yank it out like I did, the LED will separate from the wire and you will be left spending hours trying to dig the LED out! :banghead:
4/ Remove the heat shrink wrap and detach the old LED
5/ Strip back the red and black wires and solder them on to the appropriate wire prongs on the LED (the length of the prongs denotes which one is positive and which is negative. There is also a little flat bit around the edge of the LED to help show you. If in doubt, get a flat battery and check!)
6/ Use a bit of heat shrink to hold the LED and wire firmly together.
7/ Place back into the front casing in front of the power button.

Sounds like you have the R3, but I imagine its the same procedure.

Hope that helps :thumbup:
 
Looks like a lot of planning and research went into your build. Well done :!:

Now if you could only make those front usb 3 ports red instead of blue it
would be absolutely perfect. I've got one of those R4's with a window and
went with a blue theme. One of the nicest cases I've ever owned.
 
Looks like a lot of planning and research went into your build. Well done :!:

Now if you could only make those front usb 3 ports red instead of blue it
would be absolutely perfect. I've got one of those R4's with a window and
went with a blue theme. One of the nicest cases I've ever owned.

Cheers trs.

Yea I ended up taking ages due to lack of funds, so that gave me time to research. My other passion is my car (car detailing and light, tasteful mods) and ended up sinking a load of money into that mid way through my build, which wasn't very clever...

Yea really loving the case! I think I can let the blue USB 3 headers slide....! Should of been clever like you and just gone with a black and blue theme instead really!

What kind of cooling set-up have you gone for? I do wonder whether I could improve it with more fans/ better cooling than the H75.
 
@DrEskimo
I'm still running a SandyBridge system with air cooling that I built in early 2012. I use one of the
Zalman quiet coolers, CNPS Performa I believe it's called. In my build I went for a quieter
non-overclocked system. So no liquid cooling for me. Just have two front 120's and the rear stock
Fractal fan. Does your Corsair cooler get noisy or does the sound dampening material pretty much
drown that out ?
 
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