My first DIY rig (Project Hackintosh - 32GB RAM/3.5 TB HDD/3.3 Ghz CPU/4Gb Graphics/32 Inch 4K Disp)

I have been thinking of building my own PC for a while. So at last, for the next few months, I will have some free hours every evening, and I think I might take a shot at it.

Since I make a lot of iOS/OSX targeted software, I plan to make it OSX compliant, so that I can dual boot OSX and Arch Linux. I also need something with a nice processor and heavy-graphics capable, since I do lots of video editing and some casual gaming.

I have considered getting the MacPro, but the lack of expansion ability limits me…

After some high level research, below are the parts that I think I will need: These parts will change as I do more detailed research on fitting and compatibility, and I’ll post any changes here.

ALREADY HAVE:
[ul]
[li]Display: ASUS 32" 4K/UHD Monitor ($0)[/li][LIST]
[li]This will work well when I switch to KDE on arch for my video editing using kdenlive.[/li][/ul]
[li]Mouse/Keyboard: Logitech Wireless wave combo ($0)[/li][li]Webcam: I have a USB unit somewhere ($0)[/li][li]RAM: Crucial Ballistix Tactical 32GB ($0) [/li][ul]
[li]I do a lot of cross-platform programming (OSX-Unix-Windoze), so I need as much RAM as possible. I think this 8GBx4 kit will suffice. OSX El Capitan with xcode, qtcreator and chrome always running will do quite well with < 12Gb, so I can have several VMs with 4Gb each. Later, if need be, I will upgrade to 16Gbx4 if reliable chips will be available.[/li][/ul]
[/LIST]

[B]TO BUY:

PS…this list will grow/shrink considerably.[/B]
[ul]
[li]CPU: Intel Broadwell i7-5775C ($395 on amazon)[/li][LIST]
[li]I decided to go with the 3.3 Ghz i7-5775C because it has the faster Iris Pro 6200 integrated graphics. I also don’t plan on ever overclocking it.[/li][/ul]
[li]CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS8000B B[/B][/li][ul]
[li]Water cooling is not a viable option, so I will have to go with a low profile air cooler.[/li][/ul]
[li]Graphics Card: EVGA GeForce GT 740 ($115)[/li][ul]
[li]I don’t plan on updating any of my hardware anytime soon, so I will go with this superclocked 4GB graphics card[/li][/ul]
[li]Storage (OS): Samsung 850EVO 500GB SSD ($160)[/li][ul]
[li]This will be my primary OSX drive.[/li][/ul]
[li]Storage (Music, video and Sh*t): Seagate 3TB SATA HDD ($85) x2[/li][ul]
[li]I will buy one, and plan for a future addition next year. I think 3TB will be enough for the time being. (If I can get a cheaper option locally…the better)[/li][/ul]
[li]Power supply: Corsair AX760: 760Watt Modular PS ($125)[/li][ul]
[li]I need a modular power supply, so that I can have neat cable management. 760 watts should be enough for my needs, and then some.[/li][/ul]
[li]Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X ($230)[/li][ul]
[li]This should fit quite well in the bitfenix case…[/li][/ul]
[li]Case: BitFenix MicroATX (White) ($112)[/li][ul]
[li]I think bitfenix cases have always been sexy, and this unit’s elevated position will make cooling much easier since the rig will have to rest on a carpeted area.[/li][/ul]
[/LIST]
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41LDNsinHxL._SX425_.jpg

So this sums up to around $1,257 (around KES 127k). If you add around $200 for shipping, I think this is a sweet deal, considering that a MacPro with 12GB RAM and 512GB Flash Storage costs around $3,000

Once I source the components, I will post pictures of my progress here and hopefully a video. This should be fun!!!

10 Likes

WTF! From the graphics,CPU,Storage (is solid state?) and RAM everything there is top not notch. This should last you over 5 years without thinking of upgrading. P.S My last DIY build was ages ago Intel 875 or 845 board, some nvidia and I think 1 GB. We have come from far.

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Well, that’s the idea. :slight_smile:

500Gb SSD and mechanical 3TB

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the only thing set to let you down would be the cooling system

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Yes that is a concern, since I really want to avoid any sort of water cooling. I might resort to larger multiple fans strategically placed, but if it gets too noisy then water will be the only option.

what’s the downside of water cooling? With too many fans they will get noisy with age.

Why cant you use coolant? The one for cars as opposed to water?

I haven’t worked with any water coolers, so I was trying to avoid anything that I have no experience with. But I might get one of these dual fans with liquid cooling.

[CENTER]http://www.corsair.com/en-us/~/media/2E3DA4C035394AA49064ACBFC6CFA280.ashx?w=700[/CENTER]

i am impressed very much.
but wont this thing heat up and melt my balls as i wank to bestiality porn?

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You’ll be in a coma from seeing porn in 4k long before you feel the heat from the processor

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Well, I will have to make sure it doesn’t…what do you suggest between water and air cooling?

at how much do you value ypur labour if i wished one built?

I don’t know. Haven’t tried this before, so I will have to build mine first and see how it goes. My plan is to have all of the components here by end of March.

He was a shamba boy at Karen but now a teacher in remote lands of Nanyuki.

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no water but maybe another liquid with equivalent latent absorption

not a teacher but a cleaner cum gardener

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once you valuate your labour let me know.
it will be a 64 bit definitely?

I’m lost.

But a gardener could have deep knowledge in cooling systems. You never know.

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hehehe…
besides watching live porn i have been indulging in 7D