Maximum PC

Just wanted to share a potential hackintosh build with you...your comments/suggestions are welcome...

1). EFI-X http://www.expresshd.com/p135/EFi-X%E2% ... _info.html

2). DFI LP DK P45-T2RS PLUS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813136053

3). Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819115130

4). G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820231184

5). SPARKLE SX98GP1024D3-NM GeForce 9800 GTX+ 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814187056

6). Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822136284

7). PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS910 910W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Active PFC Power Supply Compatible with Core i7 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817703022

. LG Black 6X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 6X BD-ROM 4MB Cache SATA Internal Blu-ray Burner Super Multi Blu-ray Disc Burner & HD DVD-ROM Drive Model GGW-H20L http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6827136137

9). APPLE Mac OS X v10.5.6 Leopard (New version) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6832110053

10). NZXT TEMPEST Crafted Series CS-NT-TEM-B Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811146047

Total so far is $1740.00

I could use a suggestion on a good monitor...22" or bigger. New egg is interest free for a year so I'd like to buy from them, but saving money is always a good motivator to buy else where.

I thought that posting here was as good a place as any...magazine feed back and all you know. $1800.00 for a how 2? What do you think? I think if I get tired of the hackintosh I still have some life left in the parts...although that i7 is making me pretty itchy...
edit...price includes sli

I'm not sure on the rest of your parts, but personally I would go with this EVGA 9800GTX+, it's cheaper and a better brand than Sparkle.

I'll leave the product recommendations to the other people here.

That PSU is way overkill. Even with those cards in SLI, 550-650 watts will be more than enough. I'd suggest the Antec Earthwatts line, but that's just me.

Everything else there looks good and solid according to the EFI list of compatible hardware. Oh, be warned, while I'm at it, that OSX may not support HDCP yet. I've been doing some research no this, and it appears that OSX still doesn't support HDCP playback.

Thanks for the replies...
I went with the sparkle cards because of the native hdmi, I'm going to try and output to a big screen tv (I too like EVGA as I own several of them). The psu is OVER-KILL but the price is cheap enough. I've never really had any issues with PC Power and Cooling psu's...
Thanks for the info on osx...hopefully they'll have an update or something.

I don't own a Mac or Hackintosh so take my advice with a grain of salt.

BUT, it appears that OSX does have HDCP support. It appears it was built in on the 10.5.6 version of OSX, at least from what I'm reading.

Apple MacBook's that came out in 2008 do have HDCP, so I imagine the operating system supports it. Just make sure your TV supports HDCP.

You shouldn't have a problem.

Thanks...
I was doing some research myself and wasn't finding anything out. I was just about to call Apple to see if they could offer some info...thanks I appreciate the honesty. I was reading some not so nice reviews on leopard...eh, I haven't pulled the trigger yet, but probably will soon.

For HTPC, I wouldn't go with Apple. Windows Media Center is a nice addition to Vista HP and the Win7 Betas. It's not closed, and will connect to just about evertything where Mac may not. And when it comes to drivers for this hardware, you're up for another challenge.

I say good on ya for taking the shot, but it's easier to go with the free Win7 RC for the next year or just during the time you contemplate the $100 MAC OS.

Chumly,
Thanks for the reply, I'll be installing Vista Ultimate and Linux. I'm going for the multi os boot computer...Ah, just wondering Chumly, where does one get a beta of win7 ? I looked for it but thought it was over being offered. I would absolutely try the win7 over any other windows os.

Go to Microsoft.com, set up a Windows Live account (if you have Hotmail, you already have one ), and then you can access the Windows 7 RC.

I would HIGHLY advise not getting this from a torrent, as there are many poisoned torrents of this floating around.

Thanks BigToyota479...I will try that.

I too must comment on the PSU. You could power three of these sytems with that one PSU... at full load too. Why not spend $80 on something better suited for your system?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817371007

PSUs operate best at a certain load percentage. This is when they're most efficient. By getting a grossly over-watted unit, you're spending more than you need now, and every month.

I'm not against PPC PSUs. I've used them before and they're great. Some of the best on the market. I'm just tryin' to save you some cash.

I appreciate your suggestion and recommendation, from the components I've listed what would you say my wattage consumption will be? Remember, that's 2 9800 GTX + 's, 3 1TB hd's, blue ray, and a CM HAF 932. I know I changed up on the case. Down the road I'd like to do water cooling and be able to add some uv lights and some other bling. I know the psu is over kill for now, but I'd like to be able to mod the system and not be limited by the psu. Without the uv lights and the water pump what do you think my power needs would be?

edit...I won't use any Antec psu...been there before and was disappointed.

I am actually sizing up my next Hac and i would make a few changes if i were you.

Get this Gigabyte GA-EP45T-UD3LR motherboard. Theres an entry in the osx86 wiki for it, though they chose a lot of options they probably didnt need like the powermanagement package. This board will have everything working onboard. The DFI board doesnt have working audio according to the wiki. You wont need efix with this board either unless you think its worth $250 to never have to worry about an update.
It doesnt support sli (only one pcie x16 slot), but OSX doesnt support sli as far as i know. Unless you plan on using this to dual-boot windows and game a bit as well, then you will have to deal with one card or use a different board. Im probably going to build with this mobo and a gts 250 1gb. The gts250 is enough to keep me happy.

With that board you will need ddr3 ram like this set from OCZ. OSX likes DDR3, so i would go for it. This setup will also save you a few dollars, which is always a plus.

Well, there are numerous PSU calculator sites around the net. I've used this one and it's the most reasonable I've seen.

http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

According to the parts in Arbor's list and the PSU calc, your 90% load used wattage would be 420w. The 500w I suggested is a good unit and would support all this, plus some water cooling and lights. It would be cutting quite close though. I originally specced the PSU calc out for 1 harddrive and it was only about 370w at full load.

A good 550w PSU will do just fine.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817151027

Also, Antec, makes some great PSUs, save for their Basiq series. Those just plain suck. Their TruePower, Signature, Neo/NeoHE, and EarthWatts lines of PSUs are top notch though.

Hey guy! As a loyal EFI-X user here are a few of my thoughts for your consideration. 1) The Gigabyte EP45-UD3R works beautifully with EFI-X. I'm using it right now. 2) Dual cards in OS X is pointless unless you need several monitors, as SLI is Windows only. 3) The Core i7/X58 combo may not work with EFI-X for quite some time yet. Just because Apple has it, doesn't mean it works with EFI-X. All of the drivers and software to make it run are done in-house and aren't tied in any way to Apple's drivers/software. As of this time, the only combo that is remotely working w/ the i7 is the Intel X58SO board. 4) Several users have noted that the GTS250 (a rebadged 9800GTX+) is working perfectly with EFI-X. If you want to update to 10.5.7 MAKE SURE YOU UPDATE FIRMWARE TO 3.6.10 BEFORE DOING THE UPDATE OR IT WILL CRASH! Just some food for thought.

A power supply draws from the wall based on the actual load. If the system requires 500 watts input (400 @ 80% output) that is what the draw is. It matters not a whit if the rated capacity of the PSU is 550 watts or 900 watts.

Consequently, I submit that there is no extra monthly charge.

EFI-X looks like an interesting concept, but of limited appeal at present.

Motherboard support is extremely limited, just for a start.

Isn't ASUS the largest MB manufacturer?

When they expand support to include more MB manufacturers and include i7 it may get a look.

Don't blame the EFI-X, blame Apple.

I'm amazed that as many motherboards work with it.

BTW: I'm not 100% positive, but I believe Foxconn is actually the largest manufacturer of motherboards.

n0b0dykn0ws

Well, msi is coming out with EFI motherboards next month. Let's see what they will do.

So how did this work out and what was your final configuration. I am thinking of building one myself.