New Hackintosh / PT7 Sandy Bridge HD PCI Rig !!!
 

Hey Guys,

This thread has turned into a great resource to find working Intel Sandy Bridge systems....

1. Are you ready to take the leap an build a monster new Sandy Bridge rig?
2. Want to take your PCI(x) HD cards with you?!
3. Want it to support at least an HD2 PCI(x)?
4. Want it to be able to run both Mac & PC ?

I have searched the DUC, tonymacx86, and the rest of the web but could only find a few small threads hinting at incompatibilities with these older HD cards and the Z68 chipset boards...nothing definitive.

Have you built a "Hackintosh" OSX or Win7 HD rig using new gear?
Tried and true for sessions?
Do you have a better motherboard/chipset to choose?
Do you have a working system?


10/19/11 UPDATE:
The only Sandy Bridge Intel chipsets which support PCI natively are: B65, Q65, and Q67. All others (which bridge support via pcie) have not been shown to work with pro tools HD PCIx cards.

I found another great thread on the subject here:
http://tonymacx86.com/viewtopic.php?...4949&start=340

Anyone else have success getting Sandy Bridge to play nice with HD PCI-x cards?

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

I think you would be better off with a P67 motherboard. The Z68 is a waste of its onboard graphics. Plus the P67 is ripe for overclocking with the 2600K:rolleyes:

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

Does it work with PCI-x HD cards? The P67 is listed as one of the chipsets that do not support PCI natively without porting via PCIe.

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

I'm now successfully running a Sandybridge HackPro with an Asus P8Q67-M DO/CSM. HD|2

It took a few twists and turns, but I got it happening with iBoot/MultiBeast. I think I had to boot in safe mode (-x) and then do the 10.6.7 Combo update first, then 10.6.8 Combo update, then EasyBeast, with a few patches for Network, nVidia, etc...

This thing SMOKES!!! It's crazy how much faster it is, than the main rig in my tracking room (2008 Dual Quad MacPro with PE6R4i HD|6).

I hosed a GA-Q67M board trying to do the AFUDOS BIOS update, then the computer store hosed another two of them, trying to do the same...

I had to do some hacksaw cuts, etc. to make the heatsink work, but it's all good now!

Anyhow, it's been very solid! The only problem I have right now is that the video is a little chunky (the playhead kind of stutters a bit..). I'll probably rebuild in Lion once DSDT files become available...

Cheers, eh?

SUCCESS!! New Hackintosh(Sandybridge) / PT8 monster HD PCI Rig
 

I just thought I'd post my successful build of a Sandybridge Pro Tools HD PCI rig........

Specs:
Jetway NAF92-Q67
Intel i7 2600
12gb Gskill
Asus Nvidia 210GT
Pro tools HD2 PCI-x Accel
Pro tools HD 8.1.1
Mac OS X 10.6.7

This thing is somehow more powerful than my Mac Pro 8 core HD3 PCI-E system!!

Mostly, I wanted to let you guys know that I was successful using the Jetway NAF92-Q67 (which has 4 PCI slots on it). I hadn't seen anybody else report using this board, so I took a stab at it with 100% success!

All hardware worked out of box, and with a little work made a first time DSDT, and used the current USER DSDT MultiBeast/Chimera to get it working.

I COMPLETELY RECOMMEND THIS BOARD TO ANYONE LOOKING TO GET A SOLID HD PCI SYSTEM!!!

Cheers,
Mike

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

This is great to know dude thanks for the info

Re: SUCCESS!! New Hackintosh(Sandybridge) / PT8 monster HD PCI Rig
 

That's great to hear, Mike. I have one of those boards on the way - I'm planning on putting together a new system for my PCI HD|2 this weekend with one of those Jetway boards. The parts should be here Thursday. So I'm very glad to hear of someone else with one already running. I thought I would be the guinea pig; it's a little bit of a relief to know I'm not alone on this one.

Re: SUCCESS!! New Hackintosh(Sandybridge) / PT8 monster HD PCI Rig
 

Great Mike! This is what I (and I'm sure everyone) was looking for! Specific, tried and true examples.

You think you could share the DSDT file you made for this setup with us?

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

I'll be glad to share the DSDT file. Once I get back to the studio tomorrow I'll grab the file.

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

Thanks Mixchump! Your board looks promising as well. Can you post a list of what particular components you are using with it? memory, cpu, video card, PT version, etc?

This is becoming a great thread to list the working systems for sandy bridge.
;)

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

Here's the DSDT file as promised.

http://www.tonymacx86.com/download/file.php?id=15104

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

champ!

Re: SUCCESS!! New Hackintosh(Sandybridge) / PT8 monster HD PCI Rig
 

Mike,

I just bought the Jetway mobo today, but I can't get anything to happen with the iBoot CD. It just keeps giving me the "no operating system detected" message no matter what I do. Did you figure out where to change the HPET setting in the BIOS? I couldn't find it. Did you use the regular iBoot or the Legacy?

BTW the CD/DVD drive light goes on during the boot, but nothing ever happens. And interestingly when I put in a Windows install disc it starts up and offers to install just fine, but that's what I was trying to avoid. I'm stuck at the very first gate. Arrrgh.


Thanks,
Peter

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

I don't recall finding/changing any HPET settings in the bios, so that might be a non-issue.

But I can tell you, the most important setting I had to change was "AHCI" in the Sata menu. And also the "S3" power setting needed to be selected. Other than that using the standard iBoot worked for me.

The only odd thing I ran into was that occasionally I had to restart and try iBoot again, because it would pause on a line when booting maybe 1/5 chances. However, once done, the system boots 100% of the time.

I hope this helps you.

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

....AHCI is def the most important BIOS setting.

Whats the deal with the 10 COM ports on this board?! Seems like a bit of overkill. Even for industry. I'm assuming those can be disabled in bios so they're not even an issue in the OS?

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

Mike, thanks for the response. I did the BIOS settings you suggested, still no joy. Are you running Lion or SL on the computer you burned the iBoot disc on?

Looking forward to having a new home for the HD PCI cards.

Peter

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

I'm using 10.6.7 (10.6.3 retail disk)

How far are you getting? Maybe you should give the Legacy iBoot disk a try?

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

I'm at work now, so I'm just booting in my head. Sounds weird. One of the posters on tonymac told me to make a new disk using Burn for Mac and try that instead of the Finder. I'm wondering if Lion treats disk images differently than SL. Find out tonight.

The serial ports got me thinking--what market could they possibly be going after with four PCI slots and a gazillion serial ports? The only thing I can figure is that some decades-old PCI-based factory automation system must be wearing out all the 386 chips left on the planet. In any event it sure is convenient for those of us with PCI HD cards.

Peter

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

Downloaded Burn, made 3 different iBoot disks--one HFS+, one PC (Joliet) and one Mac+PC. No luck. Tried iBoot-Legacy on the PC setting, still nothing. Tried making they disk on another computer, no luck. Getting discouraged. Anybody have any ideas?

Peter

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

Hmm, that's very weird. Are you running the latest bios? Mine is dated July, 2011

Also, when you try to boot the iBoot, hit -v (for verbose) and see where it makes it to. I'm wondering what you're doing differently than me. Booting was not an issue at all for me.

I disabled ALL of the comm ports (I don't expect that would matter).

Most importantly, I want to know where your system is running into a snag....

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

Mike,

My big problem was not realizing the iBoot disk had to be a boot volume--doh! I finally managed to make a valid CD from Disk Utility and entered the wonderful world of Hackintosh last night.

Here's where I stand now: on my second install I seem to have gotten all the install orders correct. I've even got the beast to recognize the graphics card (ASUS EN210) and it runs pretty darn snappy. I ended up using EasyBeast, did a reboot, installed the NVidia drivers from tonymac, rebooted again, and Bob's yer uncle. Unfortunately the last round of MultiBeast killed the Ethernet, so I'm on the prowl for fixes. I installed Lnx2Mac under MultiBeast, but so far no luck.

It's probably time to install the rest of the RAM and the record drives, no? Did you have to do any MultiBeast magic to get the system to recognize your HD cards?

Peter

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

Here's my exact sequence:

Boot iBoot
Install 10.6.3 retail
Reboot into 10.6.3 (via iBoot)
Install 10.6.7 update
Install current MultiBeast, choosing "User DSDT" and installed "Bootloader w/Chimera"
Loaded into "Extras" the version of "Mach_Kernel" that came with iBoot (I wimped out and used this)
Reboot
Installed Pro Tools and everything worked fine from there on out.....

At no point did I ever install drivers for anything.

Good luck!

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

Everything is up and going. 4 TB of WD data drives, system, PT, and Waves on a 120G SSD, 16G of memory, ethernet and graphics functioning well.

I'm in the process of buying a used D-Control and installing it in my truck, so the new items on the agenda are installing the cards and testing with a 192, probably Monday. With the new fabrication we have to do the console will probably take a week or so to install. It doesn't have a monitor arm, just a hole where it used to be, so I've got to research that. Also need to get a new screen for the arm, something large enough for my tired eyes. But oh so exciting!

I've named the new machine the Beast (which I did before reading about MultiBeast), and it has all the components mentioned in a D-Storm rack case. It's pretty heavy, so we'll have to support it from the back as well as the rack ears. The truck has air ride, and none of my previous CPUs have had any vibration issues. The HVAC keeps the machine room pretty cold, and most of the fan noise is behind the wall. I did the build thinking about how much the box would get shaken around, so I think it's pretty solid. Once I have all the parts in I'll try to post a picture.

What are you using the other PCI slots for? My mind keeps drifting around finding an old PCI Accel and taking a stab at making an HD4 system, if that would even work. Once I can afford it, sell all but 2 of the 192s, get two of the Madi interfaces and have 128 tracks available for record. For now I'll stay HD3, maybe put an ESATA card in the 4th slot.

Thanks for your help!

Peter

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

Great to hear Peter! Can you post you exact component specs and brands so I might include it in the "successful builds" list?

J

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

Just as soon as I get 9.0.5 running under HD, i'll publish pictures and the Newegg list. But it sounds to me like Mike661 is the man! In the meantime, anyone interested in three Yamaha 02R96 V2 consoles?

Peter

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

Hi there,
I'm in pretty much the same situation. Pro tools HD 2 accel, 3 x 192. Looked into the same mobo, but I'm having a hard time ordering the thing. Where did you order yours?
And one more question: Is it possible to use the on board graphics or only with a graph card? I use 2 monitors but I see only one card in the completed builds.
Are you using just 1 screen, or combine with mobo graph output...

thanks

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

You can use the integrated video as MrJoshua's build has indicated that has been working successfully (look at the top of this thread). As far as the multiple monitors go...you can run multiple monitors from one single slot PCIe video card also. I've been doing it for years (two 30" Dells no prob).

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

I missed that bit on the onboard graphics. that's good news.
That leaves me with the question, were to buy...
@ abomb97 what do you use now? (I'm looking for a passive cooled card)

thanks

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

Peter, I'm glad to hear you got it working!

I also noticed Newegg just stopped carrying the board, and I can't seem to find any other boards like it.

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

Maybe I'm loosing it, But I can't seem to find that Jetway in
the US and you guys seem to be in the US,
so where did you guys get it?

Cause that layout looks especially great for room

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

I cant seem to find one in the UK either!!!!!!!!!!

Re: SUCCESS!! New Hackintosh(Sandybridge) / PT8 monster HD PCI Rig
 

Hi,

I just wanted to see if this is sill working for you, and if you are having any problems?

What PSU did you use?

Also looking for a really robust rackmount case.

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

The question was asked yesterday I just saw on the other forum and isn't answered so at least I know I'm not totally foolish...

But yeah, the choices are limited and it looks like unless one gets that asus server board the jetway is it..

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

Oh, I see somebody mentioned it as a "option" awhile back.

http://htpcsite.com/ProductCart/pc/v...3&idcategory=0
there sense I know others are looking for it and it wasn't obvious where I found it and it took awhile...

as far as I know too, that's the only place I found it, but eh, it's not tooo much.

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

I ordered mine from NewEgg, but they show it as out of stock now.

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

i also found it here
http://www.iwill.no/Hovedkort+ITX+%2...ml?language=en

can't seem to find it anywhere else

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

About the board:
DFI SB630-CRM
Same board.
The only pity is I cant find that either.
http://www.dfi.com.tw/products/Produ...bCategoryId=37

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

also here:
http://www.mini-tft.de/xtc-neu/produ...ckel-1155.html

i really want to order it and try! just want to get the bare minimum stuff (what is that, motherboard, cpu, ram?)

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

Just an update to the gentleman who asked how the system is still working out for me......

Well, the rig has been running non-stop for almost 2 weeks now. It's been put through it's stress tests in multiple sessions (approximately 50 hours worth) with not a single hickup. I don't even think it's been restarted (except for any software updates earlier last week).

Not sure if you guys missed my last post, but I mentioned that Newegg JUST stopped carrying the board as of last week, and I can't seem to find another alternative (I was hoping to build more identical systems). This is bad news for anyone else trying to build the system. I'm guessing the board has been discontinued?


PS.
The power supply I'm using is a Corsair TX750. I've used these in other systems as they are fairly quiet and efficient.

Re: New Hackintosh / PT7 monster HD PCI Rig
 

Here's my build, for what it's worth. I'm sorry to hear these boards have become scarce.

I-Star D-400-6-Red Chassis
Jetway JNAF92-Q67 Mobo
Intel Core i7 2600K CPU
ASUS EN210 Silent 1GD3 Display Card
OCZ-ZX1000W PSU
GSkill F3-12800CL9D (16G on 4 sticks) Memory
OCZ VTX-3 120G System Drive
2 Western Digital WD2002 Record Drives
ASUS DRW-24 CD/DVD Burner

OSX 10.6.8
ESATA Card
Pro Tools HD|3 PCI Cards (Core/Accel/Process)
Pro Tools 9.0.5

Here are a couple of pictures.
http://www.remotewest.com/Remote_Wes...rself_OSX.html



With the truck being rebuilt I haven't had a chance to really stress-test yet, but I did install my HD|3 cards and an ESATA card and then hooked up a 192. I went into record on 32 tracks (I was feeling lazy and there was a template) and let it go. No problems. The System Usage window was interesting--the PCI system stabilized at about 55% but the disk drive gauge never even flickered. I guess spreading 32 tracks across 2 drives wasn't enough load to register.

I have a few things I need to work out still. First, will the stock CPU cooler do the job when the unit is in record on 72 tracks with a bunch of plugs talking to a D-Control? I looked at a number of aftermarket coolers and even tried to install a liquid unit, but they all either require a lot of real estate or aren't constructed robustly enough to go bouncing down the road. Second, the chassis video doesn't function, so I need to figure out who gets which output. I assume it will have to be the DVI at the D-Control to be really sharp, but I'm going to test the HDMI to see how it looks. There is also a DVI monitor in the machine room for the tech to watch over things, and that panel only has a DVI input.

All in all it was pretty great to see Pro Tools launch the first time under OSX. But I'd like to make a small disclaimer here: if Apple still supported PCI I would still have bought an Apple box. And while I'm sure Avid studied the matter thoroughly before setting the prices on card upgrades, the buyin is still just too rich for me. The math comes out to about 7K out of pocket to move to current cards and Apple CPUs versus around $1800 for what I think will turn out to be a very sturdy and stable system.

Peter