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-tonymacx86 & MacMan
Building a CustoMac: Buyer's Guide 2012
It's an amazing time once again to build a computer. Intel's "Ivy Bridge" CPUs alongside with the latest motherboards are the fastest and most compatible consumer components we've ever tested. There is native support for Thunderbolt, NVIDIA GeForce 6xx "Kepler" graphics cards, and Ivy Bridge in OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.
On the pro front, Apple hasn't updated their Mac Pro since 2010, but Intel's "Sandy Bridge-E/EP" has native kernel support. Socket 2011 CPUs are available in quad core, hexacore, and octacore (Sandy Bridge-EP Xeon only) options. Maximum RAM on single socket LGA-2011-based motherboards is 128 GB, making the platform ideal for tasks that need extra headroom. In comparison, Socket 1155 is capable of 32 GB of RAM. These no compromise supercomputers may never be fully optimized for power management, but they are the most powerful.
For maximum ease of use with tonymacx86.com guides and methods, we put together some general hardware recommendations. These might not be the only components that work, but based on our research they're the easiest and most supported options. Use these as a jumping off point or as a shopping list. You'll be supporting the site automatically if you get anything through these links, so thanks in advance!
Ivy Bridge CustoMac Budget Build
A powerful desktop build with budget-minded parts and no graphics card. This build contains a quad-core CPU, ATX form factor, and onboard graphics. The Intel HD 4000 graphics integrated into the Ivy Bridge CPus are now working with full acceleration with the Chimera bootloader.
 | CPU Options | Intel Core i3-3225 Intel Core i5-3570K | Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg |
 | Motherboard Options | GA-Z77-DS3H GA-H77-DS3H GA-B75M-D3P GA-Q77M-D2H | Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg |
 |
RAM
Options
| 4GB Corsair 1600Mhz DDR3 8GB Corsair 1600Mhz DDR3 16GB Corsair 1600Mhz DDR3 | Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg |
 |
Case
| Corsair Carbide 300R | Amazon Newegg |
  | Storage Options | Seagate Barracuda SATA 6Gb/s 1TB HDD SanDisk Extreme SATA 6Gb/s 120GB SSD | Amazon Newegg Amazon |
 | Power Supply | Corsair 430 Watt | Amazon Newegg |
 |
Wifi
Card |
TP-Link PCI Express
Wifi Adapter (TL-WDN4800)
Works Natively!
| Amazon |
 |
Operating
System
|
Mac OS X
10.8 Mountain Lion
| Mac App Store |
Ivy Bridge CustoMac Pro Build
These full sized ATX builds have quad-core CPUs, maxed out RAM, and lots of expandability. Well suited for any demanding uses. Each has few high-end graphics card options that work in OS X Mountain Lion.
| CPU | Intel Core i5-3570K Intel Core i7-3770 Intel Core i7-3770K | Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg |
 | Motherboard Options | GA-Z77X-UD5H GA-Z77X-UP5-TH | Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg |
 | Graphics Card Options | GeForce GT 640 GeForce GTX 560 Ti GeForce GTX 660 Ti GeForce GTX 670 GeForce GTX 680 | Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg |
| Storage Options | Seagate Barracuda SATA 6Gb/s 1TB HDD SanDisk Extreme SATA 6Gb/s 120GB SSD | Amazon Newegg Amazon |
 | Case | Corsair Carbide 500R | Amazon Newegg |
| | RAM | 16GB Corsair 1600Mhz DDR3 | Amazon Newegg |
 | Power Supply | Corsair 650watt | Amazon Newegg |
| Wifi Card |
TP-Link PCI Express
Wifi Adapter (TL-WDN4800)
Works Natively!
| Amazon |
|
Operating
System
|
Mac OS X
10.8 Mountain Lion
| Mac App Store |
Socket 2011 CustoMac Pro Build
These rigs are the most powerful single CPU systems you can build. Warning: Power Management is NOT working, and may not ever work. This means no speedstep, sleep, etc...
| Intel Xeon CPU Options | Intel Xeon E5 2609 (4 core) Intel Xeon E5 2630 (6 core) Intel Xeon E5 2640 (6 core) Intel Xeon E5 2650 (8 core) Intel Xeon E5 2690 (8 core) | Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg |
 | Intel Core i7 CPU Options | Intel Core i7-3820 (4 core) Intel Core i7-3930K (6 core) Intel Core i7-3960X (6 core) | Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg |
 | Motherboard | Gigabyte GA-X79-UD5 | Amazon Newegg |
| RAM | 16GB Corsair 1600Mhz DDR3 32GB Corsair 1600Mhz DDR3 64GB Corsair 1600Mhz DDR3 | Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg |
| Graphics Card Options | GeForce GT 640 GeForce GTX 560 Ti GeForce GTX 660 Ti GeForce GTX 670 GeForce GTX 680 | Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg Amazon Newegg |
 |
Case
| Corsair Graphite 600T | Amazon Newegg |
 | Power Supply | Corsair 750watt | Amazon Newegg |
| Storage Options | Seagate Barracuda SATA 6Gb/s 1TB HDD SanDisk Extreme SATA 6Gb/s 120GB SSD | Amazon Newegg Amazon |
 | CPU Cooler | Corsair H60 Hydro Series Liquid Cooler | Amazon Newegg |
| Wifi Card |
TP-Link PCI Express
Wifi Adapter (TL-WDN4800)
Works Natively!
| Amazon |
 | Optical Drive | Sony Optiarc | Amazon Newegg |
|
Operating
System
|
Mac OS X
10.8 Mountain Lion
| Mac App Store |
Operating System
The world's most advanced operating system is available at a bargain price. Purchase Mac OS X via the Mac App Store, Apple.com, or any retail Apple Store location.
| OS X Mountain Lion App Released July 2012 | Mac App Store |
One of the most important components in a custom build is the graphics card. If you're building a CustoMac, it's an especially tricky decision. Not only do you have to worry about what will be a good performer for the cost, but you also have to be informed about what is fully supported, and what is not. The following graphics card examples are all natively compatible without modifying drivers. Each gives a range of port options, install compatibility, and is known to work with minimal configuration. Furthermore, using the Chimera bootloader, it's now possible to use multiple NVIDIA cards in tandem- dual and triple cards are enabled by default.
 | GeForce GT 640 PCIe-powered 900 MHz Clock for low power & quiet use. | Amazon ASUS, EVGA Gigabyte, MSI PNY Newegg ASUS, EVGA Gigabyte, MSI PNY, Zotac |
 | GeForce GTX 560 Ti Mid-range card with high performance. | Amazon ASUS, EVGA Gigabyte, MSI Newegg ASUS, EVGA Gigabyte, MSI PNY, Zotac |
 | GeForce GTX 660 Ti Mid to high end performance card. | Amazon
Newegg
|
| GeForce GTX 670 Standard High end - our top recommendation. | Amazon ASUS, EVGA Gigabyte, MSI PNY, Zotac Newegg ASUS, EVGA, Gigabyte, MSI, PNY, Zotac |
 | GeForce GTX 670 Upgraded Higher graphics clock speed. | Amazon ASUS, EVGA Gigabyte, MSI Newegg ASUS, EVGA MSI |
 | GeForce GTX 680 Standard The top end card. | Amazon EVGA Gigabyte, MSI PNY, Zotac Newegg ASUS, EVGA, Gigabyte, MSI, PNY, Zotac |
 | GeForce GTX 680 Upgraded Higher graphics clock speed. | Amazon ASUS, EVGA MSI, Zotac Newegg EVGA, MSI, Zotac |
Ivy Bridge Socket 1155 Desktop CPUs
These CPUs all feature compatible HD 4000 integrated graphics.
| Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5Ghz | 4 Cores / 8 Threads, Turbo Unlocked for Overclocking | Amazon Newegg |
| Intel Core i7-3770 3.4Ghz | 4 Cores / 8 Threads, Turbo | Amazon Newegg |
| Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4Ghz | 4 Cores / 4 Threads, Turbo Unlocked for Overclocking | Amazon Newegg |
| Intel Core i3-3225 3.3Ghz | 2 Cores / 4 Threads, Turbo | Amazon Newegg |
Gigabyte Motherboards
We recommend these specific Gigabyte motherboards because of native power management support, network, and audio. They are the most compatible with OS X and are the easiest motherboards to get up and running for first time builders.
 | Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UP5-TH | ATX VGA, DVI, HDMI Dual Thunderbolt Bluetooth/Wifi* | Amazon Newegg |
 | Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H | ATX VGA, DVI, HDMI | Amazon Newegg |
 | Gigabyte GA-H77-DS3H | ATX VGA, DVI, HDMI | Amazon Newegg |
 | Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H | ATX VGA, DP, DVI, HDMI | Amazon Newegg |
 | Gigabyte GA-Q77M-D2H | mATX VGA, DVI, HDMI, DP | Amazon Newegg |
| Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3P | mATX VGA, DVI, HDMI, DP | Amazon Newegg |
*Atheros wifi/bluetooth card not functional in OS X.
| 500GB | Hitachi Deskstar SATA 3Gb/s | Amazon Newegg |
| 500GB | Seagate Barracuda SATA 6Gb/s | Amazon |
| 1TB | Seagate Barracuda SATA 6Gb/s | Amazon Newegg |
| 120GB | SanDisk Extreme SSD SATA 6Gb/s | Amazon |
| 240GB | SanDisk Extreme SSD SATA 6Gb/s | Amazon |
| 480GB | SanDisk Extreme SSD SATA 6Gb/s | Amazon |
 | 8GB | USB Flash Drive | Amazon Newegg |
| Optical Drive | Sony Optiarc | Amazon Newegg |
Accessories
 | Apple Wired Keyboard | Amazon |
 |
Apple
Wireless Keyboard (Bluetooth) | Amazon |
 | Logitech Wireless Keyboard (USB) | Amazon |
 |
Apple Magic Trackpad
| Amazon |
 |
Apple Magic Mouse
| Amazon |
 |
IOGear Bluetooth Adapter
GBU521 Bluetooth 4.0 (Wakes from Sleep) | Amazon Newegg |
|
TP-Link PCI Express
Wifi Adapter (TL-WDN4800)
Works Natively!
| Amazon |
Thunderbolt Accessories
Remember, when building your own rig, it's easy to get frustrated- don't give up! There are users with similar specs at tonymacx86.com to help you out if you get stuck.
Oh, and don't forget, if you end up buying anything, click through one of the links here. That way, you'll be supporting the site, as well as getting the best prices. Thanks in advance!
Good luck, and let us know how it goes!
-tonymacx86 & MacMan
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