Any suggestions on the best RAM for the best performance without overkilling.

You'll be ok with 2GB of ram, 4GB will better tho, now if you have money try like 8GB XD 800mhz or 1033Mhz

__________________
HP Pavilion Elite m9250f
iAtkos v5i (10.5.8), Asus IPIBL-LB MOD BIOS, Intel Quad Core Q6600, 4GB RAM (800mhz), 2x500GB, nVidia 8600GT (Works), ALC888S (Works), Wireless RT73 (Works), LAN (Works) - How to Install - Blog - Hardware Combos - FAQ by TJ2K7
Macbook Pro 13"
Follow meh: @icchansan

If you just want to support hackint0sh.org with a donation click here

Hi, I'm also new to the whole hackintosh deal.. I've tried looking at the HCL list of 10.5.6/10.5.7 as much as I could and this is what I've decided on:
- Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83 Ghz 1333 MHz (€185)
- Samsung 1TB 7200rpm F1-series SATA (€75)

I'm not too sure about the rest though. I was thinking about the following:
- GA-EP45T-UD3P DDR3 (€135) or GA-EP45-UD3 DDR2 (€100)
- OCZ 6GB DDR3 1333Mhz (€100) or OCZ 4GB DDR2 800Mhz Heatpipe heatspreader (€50)
- Sapphire Radeon HD4870 1GB GDDR5 PCI-E (€160) or XFX HD4870 512MB DDR5 PCI-E (€115) or Asus EN9800GT HTDP 512MD3 (€90)
- Coolermaster Real Power M620 (€80) or OCZ 500W StealthXStream Silent 120mm Fan (€50)

I'm not really into heavy games (just Sims, Splinter Cell, CS, C&C). Video editing: just the occasional video converting. Image editing: just the occasional Photoshop.

Regarding the Hackintosh installation, I don't mind having to put some effort in making it work, as long as it will work. Is the current configuration alright or are there any better alternatives? Which components should I pick? Cause the difference between the cheapest config (€735) and the most expensive one (€550) is almost €200. Please help me decide.

I am building a system to dual boot Leopard and Vista for video editing and audio production, I think all of the relevant components are listed below. I haven't crosschecked everything yet, but I'm pretty sure all of this hardware is compatible. I want to know if any of this WON'T work with Leopard (I'll be using a retail copy).


MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard

VIDEO CARD: EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor

MEMORY: 2 x G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK

PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI

Can be DDR2 or DDR3, it doesnt matter, just your budget, about the video, both are compatible atm so, for the ATI check in netkas site before buying ;P

Great combo you guys, dont need to change anything, theres guides for those mobos, so prepare yourself and try, please report back your progress and good luck ;D

__________________
HP Pavilion Elite m9250f
iAtkos v5i (10.5.8), Asus IPIBL-LB MOD BIOS, Intel Quad Core Q6600, 4GB RAM (800mhz), 2x500GB, nVidia 8600GT (Works), ALC888S (Works), Wireless RT73 (Works), LAN (Works) - How to Install - Blog - Hardware Combos - FAQ by TJ2K7
Macbook Pro 13"
Follow meh: @icchansan

If you just want to support hackint0sh.org with a donation click here

Hi everyone,

First of all thanks in advance for the help. I am very new to this hackintosh game. I currently have a macbook pro (core 2 duo) and i have decided its time for an upgrade. Instead of buying another lappy i have also decided on a desktop. However, my financial circumstances do not allow me to buy a mac pro, they are so damn expensive. SO, i have bounced over to the hackintosh community for help. I want to build a hackintosh with reliability and stability ( the keywords) in mind. I have used mac all my life and have never run into any problems at all and im hoping a hackintosh will be the same. I have looked through the HLC and well......i dont know what to do. List is so damn big ive got no idea what to do for components. I dont need the latest and greates component, rather i would like something thats completely (or almost completely) headache free. ONe thing i know is that i will be using a retail version of Leopard (with boot-132) to install the osx. Ive heared this is the best option as it allows you to update straight from apple's website. Please advise me know if any other install method is better.

Motherboard:
I have got no idea on this one but preferably one that supports 1066 DDR3 ram, and has a firewire port and works completely without any patching. Also, i dont know much about this, but since im using bootloader for osx install, would i need a motherboard that supports it?

Processor:
I wanna be as authentic as possible...lol...so lets say the same Quad Core "nehalem" processor the mac pro uses at 2.93 GHz. Of there is a better processor as stable (or more stable) than this then let me know guys.

RAM:
I wanna get DDR3...at 1066...again what company makes the most stable ram? Or do you guys reccommend the faster ram.....also i wanna get 8GB

VGA:
ATI RADEON HD 4870...i wanna get the 1GB but if 512 is more stable i wouldnt mind it either. Also....i simply chose it b/c the new Mac Pro's use it....so if there is something better pelase by all means let me know

HDD:
I need about 650GB.....nothing less. However i need a fast HD.

DVD:
I know you have to use a SATA drive...so whatever is the most reliable

Ethernet card/wireless card:
NO IDEA what to get

Firewire port:
If there isnt a good MB with firewire....then im going to need a firewire card...again no idea what to get

I dont need a sound card....im using a firewire audio interface. The desktop will be primarily be used for audio production...( and a bit of gaming..lol...) so stability is of utmost importance. Also i will be using Logic Pro and Reason...so if anyone have used them in a hackintosh please let me know if they work just as well as on MACs.

If there is anything else i need that i havent mentioned let me know guys/girls.....THANKS ALOT AGAIN FOR THE HELP!!!!!

As for a Firewire card, I would recommend going to Ebay and searching for "AFW-2100" in desktop components.

This is a Dell part# for a PCI Firewire card (Lucent chip I believe) that has two external ports and a standard header to connect a case's front port to...and they are usually really cheap.

Mine worked well with my test Hackit0sh machine and will be used in my permanent rig once all the parts arrive.

First I'd like to say, thank you, for bringing us a cheap solution to having the nice slick Mac OSX OS.

I've been poking around the WIKI pages and have so far been unable to locate a supported board that features both eSATA connector and on board Video Chipset with DVI support. I have either missed it or there simply isn't one yet. Could you let me know if you've seen one that is or of one might be available in the future?

Thanks in advance.


[edit]
This is the MOBO that caught my eye and would be perfect for my setup, sort of a HTPC.

Brand GIGABYTE
Model GA-E7AUM-DS2H

CPU Socket Type LGA 775
FSB 1333/1066MHz
North Bridge NVIDIA GeForce 9400
Memory Standard DDR2 800 (Up to 16GB)

Well this mobo has not been reported, so you can try in your own and report the progress, surely will help other members ;D

Good luck

__________________
HP Pavilion Elite m9250f
iAtkos v5i (10.5.8), Asus IPIBL-LB MOD BIOS, Intel Quad Core Q6600, 4GB RAM (800mhz), 2x500GB, nVidia 8600GT (Works), ALC888S (Works), Wireless RT73 (Works), LAN (Works) - How to Install - Blog - Hardware Combos - FAQ by TJ2K7
Macbook Pro 13"
Follow meh: @icchansan

If you just want to support hackint0sh.org with a donation click here

Ok, I'm waiting to sell a laptop I have to get the funds to purchase this board so when I do I'll try it out, I just hoped that it would be supported before I buy it.