Computer Building Thread
nice pickup! pictures for us plz
tell me more about these hackintoshes? Are there any limitations or features missing?
i may go this route since the new Mac Pro will be butt ass expensive.
the new mini while nice, doesn’t have any dedicated graphics and a egpu wouldn’t perform as well as an internal GPU
i may go this route since the new Mac Pro will be butt ass expensive.
the new mini while nice, doesn’t have any dedicated graphics and a egpu wouldn’t perform as well as an internal GPU

Your only real limitations are hardware related really. I recommend checking this guide out for what processors, motherboards etc are supported properly. https://www.tonymacx86.com/buyersgui...-buyers-guide/
In my experience, motherboards are the big limitation. You just pick one that is supported properly along with a supported graphics card. Installation and setup of OSX is easy after you have the right stuff in place
In my experience, motherboards are the big limitation. You just pick one that is supported properly along with a supported graphics card. Installation and setup of OSX is easy after you have the right stuff in place
Any issues with handoff/continuity?
airdrop?
iCloud? ICloud Drive? iCloud Keychain? Photo stream?
Thunderbolt 3?
stuff like that
airdrop?
iCloud? ICloud Drive? iCloud Keychain? Photo stream?
Thunderbolt 3?
stuff like that

Last edited by Mizouse; Feb 26, 2019 at 07:58 PM.
Well, my late October planned build had to be put off, so I am revisiting it now...
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel - Core i9-9900K 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor ($525.89 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($89.95 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - Z390 Taichi Ultimate ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($253.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($430.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 970 Evo 250 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($77.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Samsung - 970 Pro 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($347.92 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1050 2 GB OC Video Card ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA 1000 P2 1000 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($159.99 @ B&H)
Total: $2026.59
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-02-25 14:07 EST-0500
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel - Core i9-9900K 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor ($525.89 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($89.95 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - Z390 Taichi Ultimate ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($253.88 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($430.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 970 Evo 250 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($77.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Samsung - 970 Pro 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($347.92 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1050 2 GB OC Video Card ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA 1000 P2 1000 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($159.99 @ B&H)
Total: $2026.59
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-02-25 14:07 EST-0500
I don't understand that motherboard with that Graphics Card. You can get an MB just as good spec-wise for less, reduce RAM, then upgrade the GPU and probably stay close the same overall spend. Also, personally, I wouldn't buy ASRock. I'd go with MSI or ASUS, maybe Gigabyte third.
Too much power supply. Power supply efficiency is based on load. Having a load that is too high or too low isn't good (more is not necessarily better) and you're not running anything that should need more than about 650 watts as far as I can tell.
Linky: Cooler Master: Power Supply Calculator
Edit:
BTW, what do you plan to use it for?
Also, what case and what OS?
Last edited by Bearcat94; Feb 26, 2019 at 09:42 PM.
64GB RAM is probably overkill, unless you're doing CAD or modeling or rendering. For day-to-day use, including a lot of gaming, people will say even 32GB is overkill. Nice thing about RAM, if you start lower (say 32GB), you can add on later if needed.
I don't understand that motherboard with that Graphics Card. You can get an MB just as good spec-wise for less, reduce RAM, then upgrade the GPU and probably stay close the same overall spend. Also, personally, I wouldn't buy ASRock. I'd go with MSI or ASUS, maybe Gigabyte third.
Too much power supply. Power supply efficiency is based on load. Having a load that is too high or too low isn't good (more is not necessarily better) and you're not running anything that should need more than about 650 watts as far as I can tell.
Linky: Cooler Master: Power Supply Calculator
Edit:
BTW, what do you plan to use it for?
Also, what case and what OS?
I don't understand that motherboard with that Graphics Card. You can get an MB just as good spec-wise for less, reduce RAM, then upgrade the GPU and probably stay close the same overall spend. Also, personally, I wouldn't buy ASRock. I'd go with MSI or ASUS, maybe Gigabyte third.
Too much power supply. Power supply efficiency is based on load. Having a load that is too high or too low isn't good (more is not necessarily better) and you're not running anything that should need more than about 650 watts as far as I can tell.
Linky: Cooler Master: Power Supply Calculator
Edit:
BTW, what do you plan to use it for?
Also, what case and what OS?
Here is it's current predecessor (i7 5820 w 64GB RAM) in moderate use (I can nearly max it out on RAM and peg the processor at 100% for long duration on a regular basis):
All components in the build are chosen for reliability and durability. I make money off these machines, so downtime needs to be avoided. I also plug lots of peripherals in (hence the power supply choice). Motherboard has a layout I need for 64GB of RAM as well as a massive air cooler, plus it has 10GB nic onboard. GPU is only for a few apps I use that are java based and seem to tax the GPU enough that I want to move that work off the i9. Plus, I have the machine hooked up to a KVM for remote desktop, so it helps with the display rendering a bit.
OS will be Win7 or 10 PRO, leaning toward 7 though.
Case will be Lian Li, still deciding which one. Unfortunately, they put a window on most of their cases now, which I try to avoid.
Last edited by stogie1020; Feb 27, 2019 at 09:53 AM.
Thanks Yvuru, forgot you had one and posted it.
I have been loyal to LianLi for the last decade+, but the Phanteks looks pretty comparable, and they have clearance for my air cooler, which Lian Li does not (nothing over 175mm...) I only wish the Enthoo Pro was aluminum, not plastic. I loved the aluminum on the Lian Li cases.
I have been loyal to LianLi for the last decade+, but the Phanteks looks pretty comparable, and they have clearance for my air cooler, which Lian Li does not (nothing over 175mm...) I only wish the Enthoo Pro was aluminum, not plastic. I loved the aluminum on the Lian Li cases.
OK, adjusted the PS down to a 750W and added the Phanteks case plus some fans and an OS...
I think this is the final build, just going to mull it over a little longer to make sure I don't have any bright ideas...
Somehow, the QVL memory in the 64GB size ended up being much less than I previously was finding... Yay me. It's not the fastest timing, still looking into faster memory.
CPU: Intel - Core i9-9900K 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor ($529.89 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($89.95 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock - Z390 Taichi Ultimate ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($253.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($430.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 970 Evo Plus 250 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($87.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Samsung - 970 Pro 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($347.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1050 2 GB OC Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks - Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($94.00 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA P2 750 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($151.42 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit ($147.49 @ B&H)
Case Fan: Noctua - NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($23.67 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Noctua - NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($23.67 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Noctua - NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($23.67 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Noctua - NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($23.67 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($89.95 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock - Z390 Taichi Ultimate ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($253.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($430.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 970 Evo Plus 250 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($87.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Samsung - 970 Pro 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($347.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GTX 1050 2 GB OC Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks - Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($94.00 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA P2 750 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($151.42 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit ($147.49 @ B&H)
Case Fan: Noctua - NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($23.67 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Noctua - NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($23.67 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Noctua - NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($23.67 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Noctua - NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM 140mm Fan ($23.67 @ Newegg)
Somehow, the QVL memory in the 64GB size ended up being much less than I previously was finding... Yay me. It's not the fastest timing, still looking into faster memory.
Last edited by stogie1020; Mar 11, 2019 at 11:37 AM.
Time to get a new home PC. The one I currently have is 5+ years old and takes forever to boot up and it seems like it needs to install Windows updates every week and those updates take hours. I usually have to restart it a few times because it is so slow or freezes.
Anyways, I'm looking for a (already built!) home PC. It will mainly be used for browsing/videos/music/oldergames.
Not sure if I want an All-in-one or the desktop and monitor like I currently have. I was thinking of getting another Dell just because I am most familiar with them. Any ideas?
Anyways, I'm looking for a (already built!) home PC. It will mainly be used for browsing/videos/music/oldergames.
Not sure if I want an All-in-one or the desktop and monitor like I currently have. I was thinking of getting another Dell just because I am most familiar with them. Any ideas?
Time to get a new home PC. The one I currently have is 5+ years old and takes forever to boot up and it seems like it needs to install Windows updates every week and those updates take hours. I usually have to restart it a few times because it is so slow or freezes.
Anyways, I'm looking for a (already built!) home PC. It will mainly be used for browsing/videos/music/oldergames.
Not sure if I want an All-in-one or the desktop and monitor like I currently have. I was thinking of getting another Dell just because I am most familiar with them. Any ideas?
Anyways, I'm looking for a (already built!) home PC. It will mainly be used for browsing/videos/music/oldergames.
Not sure if I want an All-in-one or the desktop and monitor like I currently have. I was thinking of getting another Dell just because I am most familiar with them. Any ideas?
Is NVMe worth spending extra? I read that it's way faster than a SATA SSD, but I really mostly play games and browse on my PC. Occasionally will watch stuff on it.
But you can get a 500GB 970 Plus for $130. Should I just wait and get a 1TB later? I don't really need it now, I just want it
btw damn stogie, I've been looking into builds lately and you chose top notch components all around.
But you can get a 500GB 970 Plus for $130. Should I just wait and get a 1TB later? I don't really need it now, I just want it

btw damn stogie, I've been looking into builds lately and you chose top notch components all around.
I would personally go for the NVME. I am bias tho because I have two of them. They are so easy to install no cables needed. I have a video comparison below of windows boot times and gaming load times for ssd/hdd/nvme
Wow that's less of a difference than I was expecting. With how cheap SSDs are now I should probably grab a 1TB to replace my 240.
When I built my PC I think I paid close to $100 for a 128GB Adata SSD
When I built my PC I think I paid close to $100 for a 128GB Adata SSD
The mobo I recently got has an m.2 slot, which is why NVMe tempts me. Seems like m.2 is the popular form factor right now, and having fewer cables sounds good to me.
I'm just debating right now on which size. Don't laugh, but I have a 60gb SSD for the OS (and not much else obviously) and 1TB HDD for media which is only half full. The system was built 6+ years ago.
Got a 500gb SATA SSD as a gift, going to set it up this weekend. Ideally I would have the OS, programs and games on a 500gb NVMe, and use the 500gb SATA for the rest of it. Or should I do it the other way around, since NVMe is supposed to be better for file transfer?
I'm just debating right now on which size. Don't laugh, but I have a 60gb SSD for the OS (and not much else obviously) and 1TB HDD for media which is only half full. The system was built 6+ years ago.
Got a 500gb SATA SSD as a gift, going to set it up this weekend. Ideally I would have the OS, programs and games on a 500gb NVMe, and use the 500gb SATA for the rest of it. Or should I do it the other way around, since NVMe is supposed to be better for file transfer?
if you guys dont have crazy performance requirements i would recommend the intel 660p nvme drives. the pricing is fantastic for it right now especially in the higher capacities. also it has a 5 year warranty which is what drew me to buying it in the first place. my 500gb intel 660p is full now so i bought a 1tb samsung 970 evo plus to become my new boot drive
OK, my i9 build was put on hold for little while while I worked out some cooling issues in the room it will be housed in. Now that I have additional cooling, I am going to move forward with the build:
CPU: Intel Core i9-9900K 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler
Motherboard: MSI MPG Z390 GAMING PRO CARBON ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 250 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive
Storage: Samsung 970 Pro 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 2 GB OC Video Card
Case: Phanteks PH-ES614PC_BK ATX Full Tower Case
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 850 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM 140 mm Fan
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM 140 mm Fan
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM 140 mm Fan
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM 140 mm Fan
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM 55.44 CFM 120 mm Fan
I swapped out the Tiachi Ulitimate motherboard for an MSI one, as the Tiachi's main feature was the onboard 10GB NICm, but reviews of that onboard NIC were pretty bad. I will add a Intel540 10G NIC for a few hundred more and know I am getting a good NIC.
CPU: Intel Core i9-9900K 3.6 GHz 8-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler
Motherboard: MSI MPG Z390 GAMING PRO CARBON ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z 64 GB (4 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 250 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive
Storage: Samsung 970 Pro 1 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 2 GB OC Video Card
Case: Phanteks PH-ES614PC_BK ATX Full Tower Case
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 850 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM 140 mm Fan
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM 140 mm Fan
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM 140 mm Fan
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A14 PWM 82.5 CFM 140 mm Fan
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM 55.44 CFM 120 mm Fan
I swapped out the Tiachi Ulitimate motherboard for an MSI one, as the Tiachi's main feature was the onboard 10GB NICm, but reviews of that onboard NIC were pretty bad. I will add a Intel540 10G NIC for a few hundred more and know I am getting a good NIC.
Make sure you orient all those fans to create positive pressure in the case and thereby exhaust all heat and repel all dust. It’s magic!
And I think you know 64 GB of memory is complete overkill.
Meanwhile my Core i7 rig is close to a decade old.
And I think you know 64 GB of memory is complete overkill.
Meanwhile my Core i7 rig is close to a decade old.
I forgot to list the barometer I also ordered. It sits inside the case and shuts the system down if neutral or negative pressure are sensed.Originally I wanted 65GB of RAM, but I scaled back to 64GB to be more "reasonable"...








I know it is exactly what he needs, still funny.