$400 Hackintosh rig with 10.5.4

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Psycho Donut Killer
Okay, wow. I was thinking it would OC to like 2.9, but potentially a 50% overclock? Well, I just won't be able to stay away from overclocking that.

My PS is 380, but it does have 34 amps on the +12, but I don't have enough overhead on it to run peltier. The Arctic Cooler Freezer 7 Pro looks good, like Apple's design in the G5s and Mac Pros. Maybe I can hit 3 Ghz with out excessive extra fan noise.

Both of my Q6600's do 3ghz on air. I know one can go as high as 3.3ghz, but since I'm not really up on all of the overclocking tricks I left it at 3ghz. I've heard of Q6600's hitting 4ghz...

 

[Case10]

$119 ZOTAC ZT-88TES3P-FCP GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready

Has a 2 pin spdif input that gets audio onto the HDMI.

What do you think?

 

[Case10]

"This" shows the motherboard has an spdif pin header on it. Has anyone used this successfully with any device?

 

[Zaap]

Originally posted by: Case10
$119 ZOTAC ZT-88TES3P-FCP GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready

Has a 2 pin spdif input that gets audio onto the HDMI.

What do you think?

Use it with Windows, it'll work fine.

Use it with OSX? Does OSX even support audio over HDMI? What actual Mac has an HDMI output with audio? (I'm asking, because I don't know if there is any such thing or not- obviously not talking an AppleTV.)

 

[ViRGE]

Since that card uses a SPDIF input, the matter of HDMI is mechanical. If your Hack can output SPDIF internally, then the OS doesn't need to know about HDMI, the video card should set it up on its own.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Case10
$119 ZOTAC ZT-88TES3P-FCP GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready

Has a 2 pin spdif input that gets audio onto the HDMI.

What do you think?

The trick is to find a motherboard that supports SPDIF output via motherboard headers under OS X. The DS3L supports front-panel analog connectors, since I can switch it in the Sound pane and hook up my headphones to the front, but I don't know about SPDIF.

 

[Case10]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Case10
$119 ZOTAC ZT-88TES3P-FCP GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready

Has a 2 pin spdif input that gets audio onto the HDMI.

What do you think?

The trick is to find a motherboard that supports SPDIF output via motherboard headers under OS X. The DS3L supports front-panel analog connectors, since I can switch it in the Sound pane and hook up my headphones to the front, but I don't know about SPDIF.

Exactly. Does anyone know of a motherboard running OS X with SPDIF working?

 

[Zaap]

SPDIF is reported working with the GA-EP45-DQ6 and the GA-EP45-DS4P. For mATX, there's the Asus P5K-VM

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: Zaap
SPDIF is reported working with the GA-EP45-DQ6 and the GA-EP45-DS4P. For mATX, there's the Asus P5K-VM

What about the EP-35 (?) board recommended by Kaido?

 

[Case10]

Originally posted by: Zaap
SPDIF is reported working with the GA-EP45-DQ6 and the GA-EP45-DS4P. For mATX, there's the Asus P5K-VM

Zaap, thanks for the Asus P5K-VM suggestion.

 

[silverpig]

I have the digital coaxial working on my EP45-DS3L. You can get a simple coax-spdif converter at radio shack for $2.

 

[Zaap]

Originally posted by: scootermaster
What about the EP-35 (?) board recommended by Kaido?

According to the guide Kaido linked to on page 1 of this thread, the EP35-DS3L does have working spdif audio via Coax (RCA) and optical (TOSlink). I haven't seen any mention of the onboard S/PDIF header working in OSX, though.

If a coax/spdif converter works like silverpig suggests with the coax or optical, then it should work.

 

[Case10]

I need a Micro ATX board.

I'm thinking about this:

$159 - SILVERSTONE Grandia GD02B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case
$75 - ASUS P5L-VM 1394 LGA 775 Intel 945G Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
$169 - 3.00ghz Dual-Core Intel E8400 45nm Core 2 Duo CPU
$40 - 2gb DDR2-800mhz RAM (2x1gb)
$65 - HITACHI Deskstar P7K500 HDP725050GLA360 (0A35415) 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$30 - 20x Lite-on DVD burner with LightScribe
$8 - Encore PCI Gigabit Ethernet Network Card
$41 Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC 430W ATX Power Supply - Retail
$63 ZOTAC ZT-86TEH4P-FS GeForce 8600 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready

Total: $650
Better than a Mac Mini (but I'd buy a mini if it had a 3.0ghz Core 2 Duo and could play audio over HDMI)

It's a bit pricy due to the case. Check out the case, it's really nice. Plus I need a graphics card with SPDIF pass through and a Micro ATX motherboard that has SPDIF working.

I also want to keep everything I need in one case with no external sound cards, etc.

Any chance of all this working?

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: Case10
I need a Micro ATX board.

I'm thinking about this:

$159 - SILVERSTONE Grandia GD02B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case
$75 - ASUS P5L-VM 1394 LGA 775 Intel 945G Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
$169 - 3.00ghz Dual-Core Intel E8400 45nm Core 2 Duo CPU
$40 - 2gb DDR2-800mhz RAM (2x1gb)
$65 - HITACHI Deskstar P7K500 HDP725050GLA360 (0A35415) 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$30 - 20x Lite-on DVD burner with LightScribe
$8 - Encore PCI Gigabit Ethernet Network Card
$41 Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC 430W ATX Power Supply - Retail
$63 ZOTAC ZT-86TEH4P-FS GeForce 8600 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready

Total: $650
Better than a Mac Mini (but I'd buy a mini if it had a 3.0ghz Core 2 Duo and could play audio over HDMI)

It's a bit pricy due to the case. Check out the case, it's really nice. Plus I need a graphics card with SPDIF pass through and a Micro ATX motherboard that has SPDIF working.

I also want to keep everything I need in one case with no external sound cards, etc.

Any chance of all this working?

I know it's a little more expensive, but I'd go with this case. Looks MUCH slicker, in my opinion. Although it's debatable whether or not those media keys will work in OSX (much less hackintosh). It's also full size ATX, I believe.

 

[Case10]

Originally posted by: scootermaster
I know it's a little more expensive, but I'd go with this case. Looks MUCH slicker, in my opinion. Although it's debatable whether or not those media keys will work in OSX (much less hackintosh). It's also full size ATX, I believe.

Thanks for the suggestion, but too big and too much money. Looking for something Mac Mini style.

Like I said, if the Mac Mini could decode 1080p x264 I'd just buy that.

Did you see my post regarding ripping your CD collection?

 

[mshan]

$89 shipped?: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...ht_key=y&keyword1=asus

(sounds like it should be able to do 720p, but may be not 1080p)

 

[KeypoX]

Originally posted by: Case10

Originally posted by: scootermaster
I know it's a little more expensive, but I'd go with this case. Looks MUCH slicker, in my opinion. Although it's debatable whether or not those media keys will work in OSX (much less hackintosh). It's also full size ATX, I believe.

Thanks for the suggestion, but too big and too much money. Looking for something Mac Mini style.

Like I said, if the Mac Mini could decode 1080p x264 I'd just buy that.

Did you see my post regarding ripping your CD collection?

My hack has trouble playing 1080p. I was using VLC or Mplayer i forget witch one but it did not run perfect.

I run a 6400 at 3ghz, and I had a 8800gt at the time. I dunno if the player i was using was causing the issue but it would studder every 20 seconds or so. Sucked real bad, but plays perfect in vista with VLC. Dunno if it was due to the hack, the mac, or the player?

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: KeypoX

Originally posted by: Case10

Originally posted by: scootermaster
I know it's a little more expensive, but I'd go with this case. Looks MUCH slicker, in my opinion. Although it's debatable whether or not those media keys will work in OSX (much less hackintosh). It's also full size ATX, I believe.

Thanks for the suggestion, but too big and too much money. Looking for something Mac Mini style.

Like I said, if the Mac Mini could decode 1080p x264 I'd just buy that.

Did you see my post regarding ripping your CD collection?

My hack has trouble playing 1080p. I was using VLC or Mplayer i forget witch one but it did not run perfect.

I run a 6400 at 3ghz, and I had a 8800gt at the time. I dunno if the player i was using was causing the issue but it would studder every 20 seconds or so. Sucked real bad, but plays perfect in vista with VLC. Dunno if it was due to the hack, the mac, or the player?

Wow really? That's really odd...my $400 build plays 1080p MKV's fine (Bluray x264 rips, no problem). That's with a 2ghz Allendale, 7300gt, and 2 gigs of RAM...

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: Case10

Originally posted by: scootermaster
I know it's a little more expensive, but I'd go with this case. Looks MUCH slicker, in my opinion. Although it's debatable whether or not those media keys will work in OSX (much less hackintosh). It's also full size ATX, I believe.

Thanks for the suggestion, but too big and too much money. Looking for something Mac Mini style.

Like I said, if the Mac Mini could decode 1080p x264 I'd just buy that.

Did you see my post regarding ripping your CD collection?

Take a look on the 'net, but I'm SURE I've seen reviews of the mac mini 1.83 GHz C2D that will play back 1080p x264 just fine.

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: KeypoX

Originally posted by: Case10

Originally posted by: scootermaster
I know it's a little more expensive, but I'd go with this case. Looks MUCH slicker, in my opinion. Although it's debatable whether or not those media keys will work in OSX (much less hackintosh). It's also full size ATX, I believe.

Thanks for the suggestion, but too big and too much money. Looking for something Mac Mini style.

Like I said, if the Mac Mini could decode 1080p x264 I'd just buy that.

Did you see my post regarding ripping your CD collection?

My hack has trouble playing 1080p. I was using VLC or Mplayer i forget witch one but it did not run perfect.

I run a 6400 at 3ghz, and I had a 8800gt at the time. I dunno if the player i was using was causing the issue but it would studder every 20 seconds or so. Sucked real bad, but plays perfect in vista with VLC. Dunno if it was due to the hack, the mac, or the player?

Wow really? That's really odd...my $400 build plays 1080p MKV's fine (Bluray x264 rips, no problem). That's with a 2ghz Allendale, 7300gt, and 2 gigs of RAM...

VLC has problems with 1080p on my Q6600, but plex and quicktime with perian are nice and smooth...

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: silverpig

Originally posted by: Case10

Originally posted by: scootermaster
I know it's a little more expensive, but I'd go with this case. Looks MUCH slicker, in my opinion. Although it's debatable whether or not those media keys will work in OSX (much less hackintosh). It's also full size ATX, I believe.

Thanks for the suggestion, but too big and too much money. Looking for something Mac Mini style.

Like I said, if the Mac Mini could decode 1080p x264 I'd just buy that.

Did you see my post regarding ripping your CD collection?

Take a look on the 'net, but I'm SURE I've seen reviews of the mac mini 1.83 GHz C2D that will play back 1080p x264 just fine.

Eh, I've had a couple Mini's before, even with upgraded 2ghz CPU's, and they've really struggled with 1080p. You can do so much more with a Hackintosh...the G33 would be a great mATX board, plus you could get an EFI-X chip for it...

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: Kaido
Eh, I've had a couple Mini's before, even with upgraded 2ghz CPU's, and they've really struggled with 1080p. You can do so much more with a Hackintosh...the G33 would be a great mATX board, plus you could get an EFI-X chip for it...

digg
macdailynews

I found a few other articles like that when I was doing some research for my next media center box. I was hoping to get a 1.83 GHz refurb mac mini to play the videos served up by my hack to the tv...

edit: lol, I just realized the digg story is talking about the macdailynews story

 

[Zaap]

Originally posted by: scootermaster
Although it's debatable whether or not those media keys will work in OSX (much less hackintosh). It's also full size ATX, I believe.

I'm pretty sure the media keys would work fine with OSX (running on a Hackintosh or otherwise). I'd assume they are connected via a USB header, and are mapped like any keyboard's media keys.

Since those are mainly basic control keys, IE: fwd, rwd, stop, play, vol + - ,etc- the same keys on a 'PC' keyboard work just fine in OSX. The only media keys I've found that don't work with OSX are more specialized 'launch' buttons that require a specific driver. Even those can be made to work using keymaping software.

The remote control that comes with that case probably won't work with OSX because there's probably no driver for the IR receiver- otherwise, even its media keys would likely work.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: silverpig

Originally posted by: Kaido
Eh, I've had a couple Mini's before, even with upgraded 2ghz CPU's, and they've really struggled with 1080p. You can do so much more with a Hackintosh...the G33 would be a great mATX board, plus you could get an EFI-X chip for it...

digg
macdailynews

I found a few other articles like that when I was doing some research for my next media center box. I was hoping to get a 1.83 GHz refurb mac mini to play the videos served up by my hack to the tv...

edit: lol, I just realized the digg story is talking about the macdailynews story

Interesting, my upgraded 2ghz Mini didn't fly too well with real HD. Good to know tho!

 

[scootermaster]

Just a heads up: There's a Rosewill case + SATA LG DVD burner combo at the egg (check hot deals) for like $53, free shipping. Decent deal for a cheap Hack built, right?