- Joined
- May 15, 2010
- Messages
- 238
- Motherboard
- ASUS X99-M WS
- CPU
- i7-5820K
- Graphics
- HD 7950
It's been a long time since I posted, but I had to share this.
Update: Dec. 11, 2014
Mavericks 10.9.5 and Yosemite 10.10 have added a significant improvement to performance.
The 39" 4K Seiki monitor (TV) is much more responsive even though it is 30Hz at 4K resolution.
I get up to 70 frames per second, that's almost 50% better with the Sapphire Radeon HD 7850.
With Mavericks 10.9.4 and earlier versions the Sapphire Radeon HD 7850 only improved 10% over the 5770.
With Mavericks 10.9 and the Sapphire Radeon HD 5770 it was less than 50 frames per second.
Performance is so good that I don't notice any issues, it feels like it did when I had 60Hz monitors.
I can't advise on gaming, everything other than games, including 3D CAD, work great.
If you have to have 60Hz,
Seiki is releasing a 40" 4K 60Hz computer monitor in early 2015,
Price is not mentioned.
Original Post:
This report focuses on Clover Boot Loader, 4K Video, Zotac Mother Board and Radeon Discrete Graphics Card. It's nice to find this system almost 3 years old is still a power house.
This is mostly a Seiki 4K 39” Monitor (TV) success report, thanks mainly to Clover Boot Loader that produced some surprising benefits such as faster system and support of 4K video. Most of the negative reviews I've read about the Seiki 4K screen are wrong, they either connected it wrong, or don’t have Mac OS X 10.9.3, or have hardware issues such as graphics cards that aren't good enough. Chimera boots the Seiki to the desktop OK, but has video disturbances on the way up. Clover has no issues, and helps fix things that you would never have known about.
I ended up with this upgraded configuration while looking to see if there was any real benefit in keeping my current mini-ITX system. It’s now a lot better than it was, it’s a rocket. In regards to the Seiki 4K TV/Monitor I can’t advice on video cards, or any other hardware other than what is mentioned here.
Hardware :
Zotac H67ITX-C-E
Sapphire Radeon HD 5770
Intel Core i7-2600K
16GB ADATA RAM
Performance with Clover with GPU and audio DSDT fixes :
Apparently my manual edits worked but they were not perfect.
Geekbench : 13,000 + (previous 11,500 to 12,500)
Cinebench : 65.13fps (previous 45fps average, 48fps top)
Mac OS 10.9.3 Mavericks:
Boot Loader : Clover v2k r2671 (replaced Chimera 3.0.1 installer version)
Note : Extra folder was deleted after first reboot.
Previously installed kext using MultiBeast 6.2.2 :
NullCPUPowerManagement.kext was previously required,
These are what this system requires with Clover and Chimera . . .
FakeSMC.kext
AppleHDA.kext
GenericUSBXHCI.kext (USB 3.0)
RealtekRTL81xx.kext (ethernet)
Chimera also requires NullCPUPowerManagement.kext, Clover doesn't.
SpeedStep is a little higher in Clover with x35 multiplier.
Clover Configurator Options :
First install enabled Asus AICPUPM ( to patch AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement).
Turned this option off latter to discover its a built in feature of Clover,
AICPUPM patch not required.
Used the ACPI section to edit/cleanup DSDT graphics and audio.
This automated feature makes custom editing a lot easier, very nice.
I did tweak GFX0 and HDEF.
Note : This system doesn’t require a DSDT to work, I only added it to get HDMI and HDEF audio working.
A DSDT is required for HDEF audio under Mavericks, something it didn’t require before.
About the Seiki 4K TV as a monitor
It’s simply awesome. There are a lot reviews that are wrong about how to use it and it’s quality.
It has to be connected with a “Active DisplayPort to HDMI” adapter. If you connect with a non-active adapter or a straight HDMI cable you will mess the ColorSync Profiles up and have to know how to fix that or reinstall a new operating system, i.e. restore from a backup. All the advice about adjusting the display settings are wrong, because of the connection mistake. This screen is set perfectly at the factory (with exception of a possible lemon). The only thing I adjusted was making custom ColorSync Profiles with the Native Gama shifted a little to the darker side, as I have always preferred.
The 30Hz at full resolution is not an issue for general use. It feels no different to me than my 2560x1440 27” or 1080P 27” monitor at 60Hz. As one good review stated it is likely only an issue for high end gaming. Video plays beautifully, it is eye popping. I downloaded a couple 4K sample videos and was shocked at how brilliant and smooth they ran. BTW I’m sitting only 24” from the screen and it’s super sharp.
The build quality is superb. I don’t know how anyone could knock it unless they got a return item. That did happen to me, but I got lucky the UPS guy broke it on our screen door closer. BTW don’t order it online from TigerDirect, go to a store. It took four phone calls to get the full refund correct, and it’s still not complete. I also found from buying it at the store that mine was a repack, and badly done. I don’t usually buy from TigerDirect, but they are the only store in Canada that carries Seiki. There is a good review on YouTube where the guy shows a comparison to other screens, he’s the only one that I know of that gives the right info on what’s needed. Search for “Seiki Digital SE39UY04 39" 4K PC Monitor (Initial Impression)”. I would describe the screen surface as low lustre or semi-gloss, it’s not matte and it’s not glossy like the Macs. I use this monitor at 2560x1440, 3840x2160 works fine but things like the menu bar are too small for my eyes. I can’t see how the Samsung 4K 28” will be usable at 3840x2160 for Mac OS. The menu bar will be about 3/16” wide.
I have one small issue that may or may not be a common problem. I had to remove HDAU from my DSDT (for HDMI audio). It was causing the video port to randomly switch to HDMI port. It would happen sometimes as soon as I reached the desktop, or not for up to an hour. When it did it might come back once for about a minute then I would have to reboot. It took me awhile to figure this out after spending a lot time trying to use DSDT edits to fix it. I worked with it all day today with no issues.
If Tonymac will let me I will post a screen video to show how fast it is. And as soon as I get an adapter for my 17” MacBook Pro I’ll post results for the Seiki connected to it for comparison.
Below are my install files in case anyone wants to upgrade their Zotac H67ITX-C-E. The Radeon HD 5770 DSDT is the best on the web, I know because mine was based on someone else's, the only one I could find. I’ve been using that one for almost 3 years without knowing it wasn’t perfect. The tell sign was that I had generic RadeonBuffers loaded, now I have Vervet loading.
The attached files are not specifics for using the Seiki Monitor, but they may be helpful to make a Hackintosh using the Seiki Monitor a better experience. The greatest improvements came from using Clover to boot the system and clean up my DSDT.
And I’ve included a screen shot for the Seiki at 3840x2160. I tried to upload a 2560x1440 but it won't allow me anymore, sorry.
I hope this is useful.
Seiki Screen at 3840x2160
http://www.tonymacx86.com/images/attach/jpg.gif
Chimera Install Files
http://www.tonymacx86.com/images/attach/zip.gif
Clover Install Files
http://www.tonymacx86.com/images/attach/zip.gif
.
Update: Dec. 11, 2014
Mavericks 10.9.5 and Yosemite 10.10 have added a significant improvement to performance.
The 39" 4K Seiki monitor (TV) is much more responsive even though it is 30Hz at 4K resolution.
I get up to 70 frames per second, that's almost 50% better with the Sapphire Radeon HD 7850.
With Mavericks 10.9.4 and earlier versions the Sapphire Radeon HD 7850 only improved 10% over the 5770.
With Mavericks 10.9 and the Sapphire Radeon HD 5770 it was less than 50 frames per second.
Performance is so good that I don't notice any issues, it feels like it did when I had 60Hz monitors.
I can't advise on gaming, everything other than games, including 3D CAD, work great.
If you have to have 60Hz,
Seiki is releasing a 40" 4K 60Hz computer monitor in early 2015,
Price is not mentioned.
Original Post:
This report focuses on Clover Boot Loader, 4K Video, Zotac Mother Board and Radeon Discrete Graphics Card. It's nice to find this system almost 3 years old is still a power house.
This is mostly a Seiki 4K 39” Monitor (TV) success report, thanks mainly to Clover Boot Loader that produced some surprising benefits such as faster system and support of 4K video. Most of the negative reviews I've read about the Seiki 4K screen are wrong, they either connected it wrong, or don’t have Mac OS X 10.9.3, or have hardware issues such as graphics cards that aren't good enough. Chimera boots the Seiki to the desktop OK, but has video disturbances on the way up. Clover has no issues, and helps fix things that you would never have known about.
I ended up with this upgraded configuration while looking to see if there was any real benefit in keeping my current mini-ITX system. It’s now a lot better than it was, it’s a rocket. In regards to the Seiki 4K TV/Monitor I can’t advice on video cards, or any other hardware other than what is mentioned here.
Hardware :
Zotac H67ITX-C-E
Sapphire Radeon HD 5770
Intel Core i7-2600K
16GB ADATA RAM
Performance with Clover with GPU and audio DSDT fixes :
Apparently my manual edits worked but they were not perfect.
Geekbench : 13,000 + (previous 11,500 to 12,500)
Cinebench : 65.13fps (previous 45fps average, 48fps top)
Mac OS 10.9.3 Mavericks:
Boot Loader : Clover v2k r2671 (replaced Chimera 3.0.1 installer version)
Note : Extra folder was deleted after first reboot.
Previously installed kext using MultiBeast 6.2.2 :
NullCPUPowerManagement.kext was previously required,
These are what this system requires with Clover and Chimera . . .
FakeSMC.kext
AppleHDA.kext
GenericUSBXHCI.kext (USB 3.0)
RealtekRTL81xx.kext (ethernet)
Chimera also requires NullCPUPowerManagement.kext, Clover doesn't.
SpeedStep is a little higher in Clover with x35 multiplier.
Clover Configurator Options :
First install enabled Asus AICPUPM ( to patch AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement).
Turned this option off latter to discover its a built in feature of Clover,
AICPUPM patch not required.
Used the ACPI section to edit/cleanup DSDT graphics and audio.
This automated feature makes custom editing a lot easier, very nice.
I did tweak GFX0 and HDEF.
Note : This system doesn’t require a DSDT to work, I only added it to get HDMI and HDEF audio working.
A DSDT is required for HDEF audio under Mavericks, something it didn’t require before.
About the Seiki 4K TV as a monitor
It’s simply awesome. There are a lot reviews that are wrong about how to use it and it’s quality.
It has to be connected with a “Active DisplayPort to HDMI” adapter. If you connect with a non-active adapter or a straight HDMI cable you will mess the ColorSync Profiles up and have to know how to fix that or reinstall a new operating system, i.e. restore from a backup. All the advice about adjusting the display settings are wrong, because of the connection mistake. This screen is set perfectly at the factory (with exception of a possible lemon). The only thing I adjusted was making custom ColorSync Profiles with the Native Gama shifted a little to the darker side, as I have always preferred.
The 30Hz at full resolution is not an issue for general use. It feels no different to me than my 2560x1440 27” or 1080P 27” monitor at 60Hz. As one good review stated it is likely only an issue for high end gaming. Video plays beautifully, it is eye popping. I downloaded a couple 4K sample videos and was shocked at how brilliant and smooth they ran. BTW I’m sitting only 24” from the screen and it’s super sharp.
The build quality is superb. I don’t know how anyone could knock it unless they got a return item. That did happen to me, but I got lucky the UPS guy broke it on our screen door closer. BTW don’t order it online from TigerDirect, go to a store. It took four phone calls to get the full refund correct, and it’s still not complete. I also found from buying it at the store that mine was a repack, and badly done. I don’t usually buy from TigerDirect, but they are the only store in Canada that carries Seiki. There is a good review on YouTube where the guy shows a comparison to other screens, he’s the only one that I know of that gives the right info on what’s needed. Search for “Seiki Digital SE39UY04 39" 4K PC Monitor (Initial Impression)”. I would describe the screen surface as low lustre or semi-gloss, it’s not matte and it’s not glossy like the Macs. I use this monitor at 2560x1440, 3840x2160 works fine but things like the menu bar are too small for my eyes. I can’t see how the Samsung 4K 28” will be usable at 3840x2160 for Mac OS. The menu bar will be about 3/16” wide.
I have one small issue that may or may not be a common problem. I had to remove HDAU from my DSDT (for HDMI audio). It was causing the video port to randomly switch to HDMI port. It would happen sometimes as soon as I reached the desktop, or not for up to an hour. When it did it might come back once for about a minute then I would have to reboot. It took me awhile to figure this out after spending a lot time trying to use DSDT edits to fix it. I worked with it all day today with no issues.
If Tonymac will let me I will post a screen video to show how fast it is. And as soon as I get an adapter for my 17” MacBook Pro I’ll post results for the Seiki connected to it for comparison.
Below are my install files in case anyone wants to upgrade their Zotac H67ITX-C-E. The Radeon HD 5770 DSDT is the best on the web, I know because mine was based on someone else's, the only one I could find. I’ve been using that one for almost 3 years without knowing it wasn’t perfect. The tell sign was that I had generic RadeonBuffers loaded, now I have Vervet loading.
The attached files are not specifics for using the Seiki Monitor, but they may be helpful to make a Hackintosh using the Seiki Monitor a better experience. The greatest improvements came from using Clover to boot the system and clean up my DSDT.
And I’ve included a screen shot for the Seiki at 3840x2160. I tried to upload a 2560x1440 but it won't allow me anymore, sorry.
I hope this is useful.
Seiki Screen at 3840x2160
http://www.tonymacx86.com/images/attach/jpg.gif
Chimera Install Files
http://www.tonymacx86.com/images/attach/zip.gif
Clover Install Files
http://www.tonymacx86.com/images/attach/zip.gif
.