Build a Hackintosh

[jagger]

Hi! Im thinking on build a hackintosh system to use octane .(yes, I know that I can do it in win but some apps that I use are osx only).

In Tonymac x86 there are serveral buying guides, but as multi gpu is a bit weird, I would like to know if someone can help me on this.

I will use 2/3 titans (already got 2), but Im looking for a motherboard that can hold up to 4 (and osx compatible of course)

Any ideas?

If the motherboard has thunderbolt would be super!!

[face_off]

Have you built a Hackintosh before? If the answer is "no"....then my experience is that if you choose the right hardware (whatever the real Macs use - I think it's Gigabyte? Check!) it is relatively easy. But if you use unsupported hardware (I tried with an Asus m/board once and failed miserably), you will need a deep knowledge of the OSX internals. I only ever built Hackintosh's with a single card - but others here have done multi card systems. I think OSX has a limit on how many cards it will support.

Paul

[glimpse]

as far as I know, Gigabyte motherboards are best known for compatibility, so check them. Overall motherboard depends from Your chosen CPU, what socket it's going to be..if You need 6 or 8 core parts then x99 systems is a way to go..

Just a though, if You don't go crazy with cooling, choose a motherboard with layout that lets You t space GPUs to have better airflow =) Your system will run cooler, faster & less noisy =)

other than that if You go for non Gigabyte, but something like ASUS do propper research & get some help by those who do this hacking "fun" every day, have propper knowledge.. (have some links somewhere..but I think You can google out)

[xcaseyx]

You can hackintosh just about any build iSeries on. A friend of mine just built his and has been rocking for months on it. My current Machine used to be a hackintosh, but I gave up the ghost and joined the dark side.

[Fake Pilot]

I contacted these guys and asked if they couldn't add on more Titan cards in their builds, for Octane rendering.
Maybe if more of us ask them, they will add it?

http://create.pro

Update: They replied with this answer:

We can only install 1 Nvidia card in a single Mac Pro due to power requirements, we can however, use a CUBIX PCI-E Xpander to add 4 more PCI-E slots and extra power, with this we can install up to 5 Nvidia GPUs. It should be noted, however, that if you are not using 10.8.5 you will only be able to use 2 Nvidia GPUs at a time.

We can install dual GTX 980/970 in a single Mac Pro as they use much less power than older generations, so this is also an option. However, they wont have a boot screen.

Thoughts?

[glimpse]

I've seen Guys using external PSUs in order to feed cards inside MAC (two titanBlacks let's say). If You have space, but it's only PSU that limits You, better get some small unit (even like SFX power supply) & put it on top of Your mac. If two cards are enough for Your needs that will do the job..

if You need 4GPUs, a pair of TitanZs + few watercooling elements will make fit..& You'll get good performance, nearly silent operation (though it's a bit more complicated to choose right hardware)

cheers

[Fake Pilot]

Got another answer from [url]create.pro[/url]

At present the only way is with one of our external Cubix PCIe expansion chassis, that way you can have 2 x Titan Black! Internally power is always the issue, we do have 2 x GTX 970 running perfectly so this option will probably be added this week
What kind of spec are you thinking about?

What would be best? Two GTX 970 or two GTX 780?
Also, now with the "Out of Core" feature, VRAM shouldn't be that important anymore. Right?

[jagger]

As far I know, 780/titan still the best option for Octane.

[Fake Pilot]

More discussion about with create.pro:

Hi there, no 2 x 780 inside is not possible with the standard power inside the MP, hence you need a Cubix PCIe expansion chassis for 2 or more high-powered GPU, the only 2 x GPU we have running that work fine with power inside the Mac Pro are the GTX970 4GB GPU (on 10.10.2 OS X only)

[jagger]

but thats with the silver mac pro tower...

I think that a hackintosh can hold up to 4 titans with no problem.. but Im not sure!