$400 Hackintosh rig with 10.5.4

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: leglez
Anyone know if this motherboard would work? http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128337 I am not sure with the E stands for.

Yes, but it may not work 100% with the guide. Some people have used the guide with the EP35 and have been successful, while others have not been so successful. For maximum compatibility, get the P35 instead of the EP35. I have a handful of them running on my LAN with 100% stability and functionality. I'm very pleased with the board

 

[leglez]

Ok thanks! Do you by chance know what all comes with the GA-P35-DS3L on ewiz?

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: leglez
Ok thanks! Do you by chance know what all comes with the GA-P35-DS3L on ewiz?

I think the board, some IDE/SATA cables, and a backplate. Whatcha looking for?

 

[leglez]

Just wanted to make sure it had SATA and IDE cables, because I am selling my current computer and upgrading to this and didn't want to have to wait for them once I got everything else. Thanks you've been a lot help!

 

[Zaap]

Originally posted by: mshan
Over in cpu sub-forum e7200 keeps coming up for low power consumption and heat production.

Intel P31 chipset Zaap had recommended (Intel BoxDG31PR, Shuttle SG31G2 uses same chipset) is supposed to very quiet, very low power consumption, and very hackintosh friendly.

Just a heads up for anyone using this combo of parts:

The Intel DG31PR is a great board for a Hackintosh, 100% compatible- but there's a nasty catch 22 with -at least the version newegg sells- and Penryn processors like the e7200.

The board supports Penryn, but only after a BIOS update. The catch 22 is, if you get a board needing the BIOS update to get Penryn support (I've used 3 DG31PR boards from newegg, all of them needed the BIOS update for 45nm support) then you can only do the BIOS update with a 65nm processor.

No problem if you just happen to have a spare 65nm Pentium or Core2Duo laying around to set up and apply the BIOS update, THEN you can use an e7200.

Edit: oops, I just saw that you used a Celeron to do the BIOS update.

 

[mshan]

This is what Intel told me about BIOS update on the BoxDG31PR:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...y=y&keyword1=boxdg31pr

(BoxDG31PR is still in it's box; Celeron 440 is on the way). I bought mine from Buy.com only a month or two ago and it also shipped with BIOS 0028. Think they may be clearing new old stock out of their supply chains (?)

 

[Ne0]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: leglez
Anyone know if this motherboard would work? http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128337 I am not sure with the E stands for.

Yes, but it may not work 100% with the guide. Some people have used the guide with the EP35 and have been successful, while others have not been so successful. For maximum compatibility, get the P35 instead of the EP35. I have a handful of them running on my LAN with 100% stability and functionality. I'm very pleased with the board

I'm one of those with the EP35 where it worked perfectly using your guide. I have the F4 Bios.

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: scootermaster
Thanks for the tips. Actually, I just realized that power consumption isn't the issue (although lower is always better). I meant cool and quiet (for use as a future HTPC). Duhhhhh. So what processor/etc can be run with as quiet a fan as possible, again, given no OCing.

I'm actually putting together a basic Hackintosh HTPC guide. It's geared towards HDTVs since you can really only have DVI/HDMI and VGA output (I haven't seen any video cards that support S-video output on a Hackintosh yet). You can do custom resolutions with SwitchResX and you have your choice of Front Row 2.0 and Plex (aka XBMC for OS X) for playback software, plus just VLC if you have a clear HDTV and want to use it as a monitor to surf the web etc. You can also use a variety of remotes - Keyspan RF Remote for Front Row, Apple Remote with Dell Media Center IR USB adapter and Remote Buddy, pretty much any Bluetooth Remote using Salling Clicker, a Wiimote, and so on.

There are a couple limitations of having a Hackintosh HTPC, however. First, you can only kinda-sorta do DVR. EyeTV is the best DVR app for Mac, and it has a full-screen 10-foot interface, but you have to switch between it and your media player app. Which is fine if you script your remote to do it, but not as clean as say Vista Media Center, which does it all in one app. Second, Leopard doesn't support HD-DVD or Blu-ray discs yet, so you'd need ripped HD movies in a compatible format if you wanted to play those kinds of HD movies. But if you're looking for a DVD player with local and network SD/HD file playback, it's a great machine...it's basically an HD version of Xbox Media Center. Plus it kills the Mini in terms of price and performance, and you can get a snazzy Media Center case to put it in

Wasn't there some link recently about two projects that were merging or something, and had a pretty slick interface? My biggest problem with Apple for HTPC is that iTunes doesn't support ASIO (which it might not even need, since CoreAudio is probably not fucked up like kmixer is) and it doesn't support flac. But I dunno.

I've just got too many things floating around right now and too many variables that are keeping me from deciding what to do. I've got a last generation G4 and a Dell P4 2.4ghz machine that both need to be replaced. There are some workable parts on the desktop (new 640 gig HD, nice DiNovo keyboard/mouse, Dell 2001Fpw) but other than that, I think it's time for them both to go.

But obviously, new laptops haven't magically appeared. And, eventually, I want to go to a laptop/home-server (htpc) solution where I get rid of my desktop entirely. But I don't know if it makes sense to wait until January (Nehalem) for that, or if it makes sense to wait until that new HDMI soundcard comes out, or until I have a 1080p TV (I've only got a 1080i one now) or until I get a receiver with HDMI (I have a Denon 3803) or what. So I'm tempted to make a cheap hackintosh to replace the Dell, with parts in mind for an HTPC (i.e. fanless 8800 graphics). But then i think, eh, I don't really need/can't use the HTPC right now anyway. Although I could for what I want the most: Music. But then there's the issue of a front end. Mac, PC, iTunes, WMC, etc etc.

And, of course, does it make sense to get the new laptop in a month or wait until January orfdgjdsfkgjkdfgjkfdsjgkdfgkdf

::head explodes::

 

[leglez]

Just ordered all the parts for my hackintosh.

Case: Thermaltake M9
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
GPU: GeForce 7300GT
RAM: Kingston 2GB
Network Card: ENCORE ENLGA-1320 10/ 100/ 1000Mbps
Heatsink: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7
PSU: Corsair 750TX
Keyboard/Mouse: Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
Flash Drive: Super Talent 4GB Flash Drive
SATA-IDE Adapter: Syba SD-SATA-IDE $11.99
HDD Expansion: iCage
Super Talent 4GB Flash Drive

It is a bit beefier than the original one posted. It cost $600, and there are a couple things you could get rid of to bring it down some.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: leglez
Just ordered all the parts for my hackintosh.

Case: Thermaltake M9
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
GPU: GeForce 7300GT
RAM: Kingston 2GB
Network Card: ENCORE ENLGA-1320 10/ 100/ 1000Mbps
Heatsink: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7
PSU: Corsair 750TX
Keyboard/Mouse: Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
Flash Drive: Super Talent 4GB Flash Drive
SATA-IDE Adapter: Syba SD-SATA-IDE $11.99
HDD Expansion: iCage
Super Talent 4GB Flash Drive

It is a bit beefier than the original one posted. It cost $600, and there are a couple things you could get rid of to bring it down some.

Haha, Quad-core system for $600. Brilliant :thumbsup:

 

[leglez]

Haha thanks and I actually sold my current computer (Operton 165, 2GB RAM, Windows XP, no monitor) for $400 somehow haha so quad core for $200.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: leglez
Haha thanks and I actually sold my current computer (Operton 165, 2GB RAM, Windows XP, no monitor) for $400 somehow haha so quad core for $200.

Well you've got all the right parts...the 4gb memory stick will make installation super quick too. You'll have a fully-working install in under 30 minutes with this setup...you should call up Dominos and see if you can get to 10.5.4 before your pizza gets there

 

[leglez]

Oh something I just noticed, you list a SATA Burner, and then on Weaksauce's guide it says to use an SATA Burner. So does that mean it is not possible to use an IDE DVD Burner? Haha cause that is all that I have.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: leglez
Oh something I just noticed, you list a SATA Burner, and then on Weaksauce's guide it says to use an SATA Burner. So does that mean it is not possible to use an IDE DVD Burner? Haha cause that is all that I have.

IDE burner works fine.

 

[leglez]

Ok awesome thanks! I'll post when I get everything setup

 

[Zaap]

Should be an awesome system, leglez! Let us know how it goes.

 

[Parasitic]

Kaido: do you think there's a way to get OSX on an Atom-based system, like the eeeBox? it'd be a nice Mac Mini alternative.

 

[leglez]

Hey anyone that has a hackintosh, what do you use for a keyboard? Do you just use a standard keyboard, or have you modified some of the keys so that they have the Apple keys on them or what? Or are there others that you can buy? I love the Apple Slim Aluminum keyboard, but I don't know if I would pay $50 for a keyboard.

 

[Zaap]

Any PC USB keyboard should work. The Windows key is the Apple key, and its position is exchanged with the alt key. Most specialized multi-media buttons won't work, but fortunately, volume and mute keys are pretty universal and usually work fine.

I'm using a Logitech DiNovo (RF version) with my main Hack and I far prefer it to an Apple keyboard I keep in a keyboard drawer under the desk. The only thing I miss on the PC keyboard, is the eject button for optical drives.

 

[kalster]

Originally posted by: Parasitic
Kaido: do you think there's a way to get OSX on an Atom-based system, like the eeeBox? it'd be a nice Mac Mini alternative.

check this out

http://forum.insanelymac.com/index.php?showtopic=118014

leopard seems to be working fine on the atom 1.6 with 945g chipset

 

[Tyranicus]

I bought the aluminum keyboard, and I love it. It's probably the best keyboard I've ever had. Well worth the price, IMHO.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Parasitic
Kaido: do you think there's a way to get OSX on an Atom-based system, like the eeeBox? it'd be a nice Mac Mini alternative.

Yes. The Atom system is VERY well-supported under Leopard. It does work on the EEE Box. It also works on the MSI Wind. It even works on the $80 Intel D945GCLF Mini-ITX Atom-based motherboard (available from Newegg and other places). AFAIK the only major problem is occasional mouse tearing since the video card driver isn't 100% perfect.

The EEE Box would make a great Mac Mini alternative for light-duty applications. I'd definitely suggest upgrading to 2 gigs to help with the system performance. It takes a 2.5" SATA drive, so you could put in a 320gb 7200rpm drive or a 500gb 5400rpm drive if you feel the need for speed or storage. Other than that, maybe pick up a USB DVD drive if you want to use discs with the rig.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: leglez
Hey anyone that has a hackintosh, what do you use for a keyboard? Do you just use a standard keyboard, or have you modified some of the keys so that they have the Apple keys on them or what? Or are there others that you can buy? I love the Apple Slim Aluminum keyboard, but I don't know if I would pay $50 for a keyboard.

I have both Apple Bluetooth keyboards (White & Aluminum). They're great. I'd suggest trying out the new keyboard in person before buying one. Personally, I love the new "chiclet" keys, but there are some people who absolutely detest the new style. Get your hands on one or try out a Macbook (same style keyboard) before investing in one.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Zaap
Any PC USB keyboard should work. The Windows key is the Apple key, and its position is exchanged with the alt key. Most specialized multi-media buttons won't work, but fortunately, volume and mute keys are pretty universal and usually work fine.

I'm using a Logitech DiNovo (RF version) with my main Hack and I far prefer it to an Apple keyboard I keep in a keyboard drawer under the desk. The only thing I miss on the PC keyboard, is the eject button for optical drives.

Yup, all of my other keyboards work fine...Microsoft, Logitech, etc. You can customize software to control the multimedia buttons and tie in standard Apple functions. My Microsoft keyboard is supported under OS X and I can hook up the special buttons to whatever function I want, but if you don't have a driver for your keyboard you could always use something like ControllerMate.

 

[mshan]

Yes, that Apple slim BT keyboard is great if your Hackintosh serves double duty as your music jukebox.

The control keys on top work with iTunes even if you are surfing the web and Safari is the application you have on top.

I tested my Saittek Eclipse on my dad's iMac and it asks you to press a certain key on left side, then right side of keyboard to calibrate it. If you switch from one user to another, it asks you to do the same thing, so that can be annoying.