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On July 09 2009 09:48 expostfacto wrote:What changes would you make to build a nearly silent PC? I'm willing to give up some power if it's quiet enough that my wife lets me keep it in the living room. 
You might want to read a bunch of reviews on a power supply to find a really quiet one. Although, this computer is actually rather quiet. I have had several customers remark that it is the quietest computer they have ever had.
You should use the same CPU fan, but do not overclock. If you use the CM case do not plug in the side fan, the other 2 are very quiet.
The video card, especially when gaming, probably produces the most noise. You can get a much less powerful video card, especially one with passive cooling instead of a fan, in order to eliminate that noise. What do you need to play--SC2? If so, something like this would be adequate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121260
It is certainly not as good, but it is cheaper and still a decent video card. Install instructions for that card can be found here:
http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=151744
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er sorry what heatsink/cooler is it? i cant seem to find the name or a link; spoiler just reloads the page.
actually, i've been told the Xigmatek S1283 is great; you reckon this'll do it?
thanks
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weird, I have no problems on several different computer seeing the spoiler information. Is anyone else?
The heatsink is the Cooler Master Hyper-212. It is a little better than the Xigmatek cooler, but for the dual-core either should work. The Xigmatek is a bit cheaper.
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Still having problems? If so, you can use the BOOT-132 CD as a safe mode CD. Just boot off it, then press enter the first time, then type 80 as the boot device (first HDD), press enter, then type -x -f and press enter. boot will take a long time, but it will eventually work.
Run the OSx86 tools again and go to "about this mac" and check the video card. Does it properly display as a 4800 series? does it show the correct amount of RAM? If not, try re-installing the video drivers. You are using the 4870, right?
I did not have any problems building several more of these after 10.5.7, so I am not sure what else you need to do. You can try downloading the 10.5.7 combo updater from apple.com instead of using the auto-update feature.
If you already installed the video card driver (before 10.5.7) you will get that kernel panic screen (apple logo with gibberish), but a safemode boot and re-install of the video driver should solve that.
Cool. I will try updating without autoupdate and if I still have the same prob i will try the Boot132 safemode thing. Basically I couldn't figure out how to safemode boot to reinstall the video drivers so hopefully that will work... And yeah, using the 4870...
This one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150394
And again, thanks for continuing to answer our questions in the forum... My hackintosh is so sweet... Been editing on Final Cut all week with no troubles at all...
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Okay awesome, I'm starting to work out how to follow the guide for not overclocking yet
I think we start here, right?
>>>>>>>>>>Standard CMOS Features:
+ Show Spoiler +
1. disable Drive A
Advanced tab:
+ Show Spoiler +
1. Change the boot order to CDROM/HDD/Disabled
Integrated Peripherals:
+ Show Spoiler +
1. Enable AHCI (You cannot install OS X, or boot into it, without this!)
2. USB Mouse Support to Enabled
Save the BIOS settings:
Press F11 and name the profile so you do not need to do this again.
+ Show Spoiler +
Remember - You CANNOT install OS X with 8GBs of RAM installed in the computer. Reduce it to 4GBs before starting this next step.
Now we need to burn a Boot-132 CD. Basically this CD contains the drivers needed to nurse the OS X installation along until you can install the real drivers. It also allows the booting of the retail DVD.
DL this, unzip it, and burn as an image onto a blank CD:
http://www.filesavr.com/genericiso
Boot 132 loading:
Boot 132 first screen:
You press enter here. That's it. Really.
Boot 132 second screen:
Here you want to eject the Boot-132 CD and insert the retail DVD. Wait about 20 seconds and then press enter. 9F is the default system ID for IDE DVD drives. If you use a SATA Drive it will be a different number, but it will automatically default to it.
Your primary HDD has a system ID of 80, with the secondary being 81, etc. We will be using that later.
Getting ready to start the OS X Install disc:
After this screen you should proceed to the spinning Mac icon, give it a few minutes and then this should pop up:
Select your language and agree to their ToS, etc.
Disk Utility:
Installing!
After it finishes installing you will have to reboot your computer manually. You will want to reset the computer and then eject the retail DVD and replace it with the Boot-132 disc. The boot-132 CD will load and you press enter once, just as before. This time type "80", press enter, and then enter again. OS X will start booting. You will then setup your keyboard, username, etc. Once you boot into your desktop download and unzip these files to your desktop:
http://www.filesavr.com/mobshackintoshstuff
Driver Installation:
1. A: open up Universal OSx86 Installer. Check the following boxes and hit install.
B: hit install again.
2. Now open OSx86 Tools and check all boxes and run the commands. That will take about 6-7 minutes to finish. Reboot. The computer will not fully turn off, so give it a full 10-15 minutes before manually resetting it. These drivers that we just installed will make it so you don't have to do that anymore.
3. Turn back on the computer. Now you should boot into the desktop normally. Go to the Apple sign in the top left and auto-update. Install any and all updates. Reboot.
4 Repeat steps 1 and 2 again. You need to re-install the drivers after updating to the major patches. We did it initially because otherwise you might have issues with the computer working properly.
5. Then install the radeon_hd_48x0 driver package and install the ATY_motmot.kext. The package is just a regular installer, but the kext needs to be installed with Universal OSx86. Open up Universal OSx86 and check the box for custom kext and then browse to the file. Make sure the proper HDD is selected at the top of the installer.
6. Now reboot, then install the last package, Enabler_for_Nvidia etc. Reboot.
7. That does it for the drivers. The only thing left to do is access the system preferences panel (in the dock) and go to energy settings and turn off sleep mode. The 4870 driver does not support sleep yet. If you are using a different video card test sleep and see if it works.
8. While in the system preferences panel also assign the sound to use "internal speakers" for sound out. You now have a fully functional MacPro Clone.
Dual Booting:
Unhook the Mac drive. Then install the OS just like you normally would. For windows just leave your secondary HDD hooked up and put the disk in. The BIOS is still set to auto-boot of the disk and the windows installer should start. Install drivers using the disc that comes with the motherboard. Just pop it in, wait for it to auto-start, then select the auto-install feature. Download the latest video driver from either ATI's website.
Now, hook up both HDDs again. Press F12 rapidly as soon right after you press the power button. Select Hard Drive, from the boot menu and then select the HDD that you installed OS X on. Run the Chamaleon 2 package installer. Reboot. You can triple boot, or quad boot, or whatever if you so desire. The process is the same as above.
Correct me if I'm wrong. Also, we update BIOS to latest version like you said at the start? And lastly, RAM voltage.. I'll be using Kingmax DDR-2-1066 PC8500 4GB yeah, so any tips on what to do to make it work properly?
thanks, and i am so sorry if I'm driving you crazy with my lack of computer intelligence. I'm taking IST at school, so that should help, plus I'm readin about everything.
thank you
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Jack,
I updated the bios before I did anything. Then I followed the guide pretty much how you posted it and it worked fine.
As for the memory, its pretty simple... You don't actually have to change anything and it will work fine. However, if you want to get the most out of it, you go into bios and change the Memory Voltage to the specified Voltage for your memory. I am using Kingston mem that said it ran at 2.2v, so I switched the voltage to 2.2v. (Memory voltage is found in the M.I.T. menu under Motherboard Voltage Control - DRAM Voltage)
There is also timing you can adjust. Mine were 5-5-5-15 so I switched that in Bios too. I thnk be default it had them running at 6-6-6-18 or something... (Timing is found right above the Motherboard voltage control and is labelled: DRAM Timing Selectable) Change that to Manual and change the numbers to match the numbers that your memory is suppose to run at.
Thats all I did and all worked fine.
-maltice
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On July 10 2009 20:27 maltice wrote:
Jack,
I updated the bios before I did anything. Then I followed the guide pretty much how you posted it and it worked fine.
As for the memory, its pretty simple... You don't actually have to change anything and it will work fine. However, if you want to get the most out of it, you go into bios and change the Memory Voltage to the specified Voltage for your memory. I am using Kingston mem that said it ran at 2.2v, so I switched the voltage to 2.2v. (Memory voltage is found in the M.I.T. menu under Motherboard Voltage Control - DRAM Voltage)
There is also timing you can adjust. Mine were 5-5-5-15 so I switched that in Bios too. I thnk be default it had them running at 6-6-6-18 or something... (Timing is found right above the Motherboard voltage control and is labelled: DRAM Timing Selectable) Change that to Manual and change the numbers to match the numbers that your memory is suppose to run at.
Thats all I did and all worked fine.
-maltice
Ah okay, thanks. The Kingmax RAM im getting says on the website CAS Latency: 5-5-5, CL=5, so i presume the timings should be set at 5-5-5-5? this doesnt seem right compared to yours, and looking on the web i cant find much about it. My RAM is Kingmax DDR-2-1066 PC8500 4GB KIT(2X2GB), found at www.ccpu.com.au
any suggestions on what timing it should be? Or will it say everything on the packaging when i buy it lol?
thanks
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I looked around, I even looked it up on the Kingmax site but they don't post the recommended timings... Probably just leave that part on auto.
Unless someone else can figure it out for you, but the last number should be high, like 15 or 18 something like that.
-maltice
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Thanks Maltice, you are correct with all your info. I highly suggest manually inputting the RAM information. In most cases it is printed on the sticks. CAS 5 defaults are 5-5-5-15.
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wow thanks so much you guys. hopefully i'll get my comp built monday now  (still got to buy psu, then take all the parts to get it built) and i'll see how i go
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On June 14 2009 15:06 EvilTeletubby wrote:Very useful guide! In desperate need of a new rig, will probably start collecting parts later this year/early next. This'll be the first I've built, so any common 'newbie mistake' warnings are appreciated.
The main things I had problems with when I built my first one was installing the CPU and some of the cables onto the mobo.
The camlocks on the CPU really, REALLY, need to be forced. It made a wretched sound and felt like I was gonna snap the mobo, but as long as the CPU is in the correct spot it's totally normal. (the camlocks also look kind of bent, this is normal as well).
The 2nd thing was some of the power cables to the mobo. My PSU came with like 50 wires to plug into shit and the mobo also had like 10-15 spots of shit to plug in. Just make sure you check and double check that it's all plugged it properly.
PS- Make sure you don't tangle up the wiring too much and leave space around fans for airflow. Check your temps with some free utilities and adjust accordingly.
Oh, and sometimes your heatsinks will be loose on the mobo or whatever, they can be a bitch to put back in sometimes without breaking the plastic plug things (or just because it's so tight/small).
Common sense tip:
Clean out the dust regularly, and even disassemble the graphics card to clean out the dust if needed.
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i stumbled across this thread almost RIGHT after my 2004 powerbook completely died, so i saw tha as a sign haha
i ordered the parts (the only change being a bluray drive) and they should be here monday. i do have a question though
i have a disc image of osx, and i was wondering if its possible to boot and install from an external HDD, as opposed to the actual disc. i would just burn it to a dvd, but it needs to be duel layered, and i only have a single layer burner.
thanks for making this tutorial, btw. it really was exactly what i needed. waiting for my parts makes me feel like a 7 year old who's about to go on a shopping spree at toys r us
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you can install OS X off of a single layer DVD if you remove the language packs, or you can install from a flash drive, or an external drive. Single Layer DVD images can be obtained online. Instructions for external/USB drive installs can be found on insanelymac.com. Any retail guide will work; however, most of the ways that I have read to do it require a working computer running OS X to create the install files.
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i think i can just use my friends retail. he got the family one with 5 installs on it (or something like that), so hes letting me use one...i hope. if not, i might just have a fried burn it onto a DL disc.
ive tried following guides on making the leopard image file smaller, but they never worked for whatever reason. i didnt know they had single layer images, though. i suppose if all else fails, ill do that.
which leads me to my other question.
is it ok to install windows before osx? ill be installing windows 7 RC. i dont want anything to get screwed up with the initial boot screen or anything. ive also heard that chameleon doesnt work with windows 7, so let me know if youve tried it
thanks again.
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read this thread:
http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=165878
And just use the friend's disk, it will be fine. Also, I have read that with Blu-ray burners you need to use a SATA to IDE adapter to get some programs to burn correctly. I dunno, try TOAST and the onboard burning programs, if those work then maybe 10.5.7 fixed it.
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ok.
INSTALL COMPLETE
thank you so much!
maltice did you get it working? i just did what maleorderbride suggested and it eventually worked.
now, my monitor feels like display the screen pretty washed out and quite grainy>>any tips on how to fix this? (i got an lg w2252tq)
oh yeah, and my RAM is recognised as 800MHz
put in values 5-5-5-15 and 2.1v
on the packaging it says..
CAS Latency: 6-6-6 CL=6 (1066MHz) AND 5-5-5 CL=5
Voltage: 1.8v-2.1v
any tips? Not sure what the last value should be
thanks
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apparently i wont be able to get the disc for another few days, so i guess im stuck installing windows first. is that alright?
also, the blueray drive is only a dvd burner, not a bluray burner, if that makes a difference.
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Why OS X? If you hate Windows and NEED Photoshop and stuff then ok, but otherwise it's in all ways inferior to Linux for example... (Just my biased opinion)
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On July 13 2009 17:08 jacktheripper wrote:ok. INSTALL COMPLETE thank you so much! maltice did you get it working? i just did what maleorderbride suggested and it eventually worked. now, my monitor feels like display the screen pretty washed out and quite grainy>>any tips on how to fix this? (i got an lg w2252tq) oh yeah, and my RAM is recognised as 800MHz put in values 5-5-5-15 and 2.1v on the packaging it says.. CAS Latency: 6-6-6 CL=6 (1066MHz) AND 5-5-5 CL=5 Voltage: 1.8v-2.1v any tips? Not sure what the last value should be thanks
You should set your RAM to 2.1v (as you did) and the timings to 6-6-6-18. Change the RAM speed manually to 1066 as well.
Per the video card/display: Can you go to "about this mac", then "more info" and highlight the video card. What does it say about hardware acceleration and QE/CI support? What is the resolution set to?
The DVD Burner should be fine, it is just blu-ray burning which is weird, AFAIK. You can install windows first. Sometimes you end up having to do some monkeying around, such as repairing installations, but windows 7 is so freaking easy and quick to install that it is not like you lose much anyway. Also, as a general rule, it is best to disconnect any HDD that you are not actually installing on when doing multiple OS'es. Not only does it cut down on accidents, but sometimes the OS'es want to write tiny bits of info to the EFI partitions on the front of each HDD. All you need to do is disconnect either one of the two SATA cords from the HDD to make it so the computer will not see it.
The main reason people use OS X, other than looks and stability, is for specific programs that are only supported by OS X. As I have started to become more familiar with the OS there are many features that I enjoy that Windows often has, but buries further in the system. Really, as it becomes easier to have multiple OS'es, I wonder if one should just have 2 operating systems on most computers.
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ah awesome. im only using one HDD for now (partitioning), so disabling HDDs wont be a problem.
as for OSX, it really does stand out more so than windows for many applications. graphic design and music production are big ones. i always use pro tools (recording software) on my powerbook, and it ran much faster/smoother than my friends windows computer with better specs. its really all about what you need
thanks again for the help. only a few more hours to go
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EPT
