Economy Sandy Bridge Build is Forthcoming
PH
Additional requirements included a 7-slot case, if possible, and a PSU of about 500 watts, if possible.
One such deal came about this past Thursday.
Alas, the total price, not including California sales tax, was $205 ... $5 over my goal ... although shipping was "free", and that certainly counts for something.
The packages (case in one box, the remainder in another box) are expected to arrive tomorrow, Monday. UPS says they are already en route to my residence's city from the adjacent metro's hub.
Included are:
1) Gigabyte H61M mobo (don't know which of the four revisions it will be until it arrives; could be 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 or 2.0, and this influences the E-net chip and the codec chip, but a DSDT for this board is already on tonymacx86's site, and I have already applied my AAPL mods to it); this has THREE expansion slots (NO PCI legacy slot) and two RAM slots,
2) Intel G-series 2.9 GHz Sandy Bridge proc with two cores, but without H-T (essentially, this is the equivalent of a Core2 Duo, but two generations later),
3) 4 GB DDR3 RAM as 2 x 2 GB = 4 GB 1333 MHz,
4) a nice case which supports 7-slot mobos, and
5) a nice PSU with nearly 500 watts of power.
NOT included in the "Shell Shocker" are a hard drive and an optical drive, but I have plenty of those hanging around.
We'll soon see just what $205 plus some surplus drives can do on Lion!
mosslack
bsd
point, those of us living in NJ have been getting hit w/taxes on our
orders too.
Adds another 8% to maintain NE loyalty but I still prefer to use them
first. Only occasionally do I even look elsewhere
(recently bought a Dell Ultrasharp 23", on sale, from Dell, they hit
w/taxes too).
--
bsd
pete...@cruzio.com
I like the "free 3-day UPS shipping", which always means second-day from
their distribution site in Whittier (Los Angeles area) to Monterey Bay
(San Jose area), a distance of about 325 miles.
Ordered on Thursday, due to arrive Today, Monday, but Saturday and Sunday
were not business days, so it is still second-day.
I'm all ready for the build, so I should have some results by tomorrow.
pete...@cruzio.com
The subject package(s) arrived as expected at about noon.
The supplied PSU is a 485 watt "Orion" unit with more SATA power
connections than legacy power connections, a good sign.
The supplied Gigabyte mobo is Rev. 1.2 and this incorporates the preferred
Realtek ALC887 codec and the preferred Realtek R8111E gigabit LAN.
Assembly went rather quickly.
Next up, boot Ubuntu 9.0.4 Desktop and grab its DSDT, even though
tonymacx86 has already posted his. I like to do my own, of course.
Kris Tilford
> Next up, boot Ubuntu 9.0.4 Desktop and grab its DSDT
I know we've gone over this many times before, but it IS possible to
grab the DSDT using DSDTSE without using Ubuntu. It's about the same
hassle, so there's no real reason to prefer one way or the other.
To use DSDTSE to grab the DSDT you'd need to boot any Intel version of
10.4 or 10.5 that DOES NOT use or require an alternate DSDT file. You
could use the iPC 10.5.6 Live DVD and then use DSDTSE to extract the
DSDT from RAM; or if you have a bootable 10.4 or 10.5 System on
external HD or flash drive you could boot it, and use DSDTSE.
Also, DSDTSE will extract the DSDT file from real Macs, which is
helpful for seeing how OS X defines hardware and creating patched
DSDTs for our hacks.
pete...@cruzio.com
>> Next up, boot Ubuntu 9.0.4 Desktop and grab its DSDT
>
> I know we've gone over this many times before, but it IS possible to
> grab the DSDT using DSDTSE without using Ubuntu. It's about the same
> hassle, so there's no real reason to prefer one way or the other.
It is my strong preference to start out absolutely clean, and to me that
means no MacOS X getting in the way of the process.
This preference is somewhat akin to preferring a "stand-alone dump" of an
enterprise-level system, when debugging a possible OS bug, rather than the
much easier to understand "formatted dump", which requires a
fully-functional OS.
The first is usually essential for OS-level debugging.
The second is often (but not always) sufficient for application-level
debugging.
> To use DSDTSE to grab the DSDT you'd need to boot any Intel version of
> 10.4 or 10.5 that DOES NOT use or require an alternate DSDT file. You
> could use the iPC 10.5.6 Live DVD and then use DSDTSE to extract the
> DSDT from RAM; or if you have a bootable 10.4 or 10.5 System on
> external HD or flash drive you could boot it, and use DSDTSE.
>
> Also, DSDTSE will extract the DSDT file from real Macs, which is
> helpful for seeing how OS X defines hardware and creating patched
> DSDTs for our hacks.
All true.
mosslack
pete...@cruzio.com
> Pardon my ignorance on the subject, but why would you rather have Ubuntu
> getting in the way of the process rather than OS X?
Well, there is LESS in the way, that is for sure.
I suppose I could construct an ISO which would load a mini-Linux, locate
the dsdt and then write it to a flash drive, much as Intel has released
mini-Linuxes for all or most of its mobos and which update (flash) the
BIOS ROM, which, of course, includes the DSDT in an encoded format.
However, I prefer the Ubuntu method.
Kris Tilford
> However, I prefer the Ubuntu method.
Slight problems I had with the Ubuntu method:
1) the Terminal commands necessary are specific to earlier versions of
Ubuntu, and no longer work in current versions.
2) method requires a USB stick formated FAT, which at the time I used
this method I didn't have because all my USB sticks had Mac formats,
so it was a slight hassle to reformat a USB stick.
mosslack
On Feb 6, 2012, at 7:55 PM, pete...@cruzio.com wrote:However, I prefer the Ubuntu method.
Slight problems I had with the Ubuntu method:
1) the Terminal commands necessary are specific to earlier versions of Ubuntu, and no longer work in current versions.
2) method requires a USB stick formated FAT, which at the time I used this method I didn't have because all my USB sticks had Mac formats, so it was a slight hassle to reformat a USB stick.
pete...@cruzio.com
>> However, I prefer the Ubuntu method.
>
> Slight problems I had with the Ubuntu method:
>
> 1) the Terminal commands necessary are specific to earlier versions of
> Ubuntu, and no longer work in current versions.
This is true, and why I retain 9.0.4 Desktop and not later versions for
this specific purpose.
> 2) method requires a USB stick formated FAT, which at the time I used
> this method I didn't have because all my USB sticks had Mac formats,
> so it was a slight hassle to reformat a USB stick.
I often resort to "sneaker net" for DSDTs, kexts and other things.
I have several small flash drives which are formatted as FAT just for this
very reason.
I also have a FAT-formatted flash drive which contains ALL the BIOS
updates, and any applications which they require, for all of my mobos, on
one drive.
Louis Santillan
-L
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pete...@cruzio.com
> Haha only people of certain age or of a certain industry will understand
> "sneaker net".
And, fewer still would understand 9-track magnetic tapes.
Charles Davis
Chuck
pete...@cruzio.com
> We could get ridiculous and mention paper tape and ASR33's
Well, let's not!
The $205 Sandy Bridge build is now up and running on Lion on its own ...
no helper is needed.
Alas, I have E-net issues, and I think I may have selected the wrong E-net
driver in MultiBeast Lion Edition (the MultiBeast installation didn't
complete properly, anyway).
FWIW, I used tonymacx86's USB installation tool, but I had to massage it
for a number of reasons, the DSDT for but one.
Funny ... MacOS X 10.7 believes the G-series proc is an i7, or something
crazy like that.
Anyway, I am pretty much burned-out on the $205 Sandy Bridge build, at
least for now. However, one thing is for sure ... the "roll of the dice"
proved to be a good one.
Perhaps Tomorrow IS Another Day?
PH
E-net now works, and I am sending this message from the $205 Sandy
Bridge build.
Still no sound. I think I may have specified the codec incorrectly in
the DSDT.
Anyway, the $205 build IS working ... even E-net.
Also, video with all resolutions and CI/QE, too. I am using a 7200GS
for now as that was all I had available.
I double-checked the About This Mac... info again, and, yes, it DOES
state that my G-series proc is a Core i7. This is possibly an outcome
of specifying iMac as a model.
In any case, it is working, and that is a very good thing.
mosslack
PH
The E-net chip is variously an Atheros or a Realtek, depending upon
the revision of the mobo (and the codec is variously a Realtek or an I-
something).
There are revisions 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 and 2.0. My mobo is a 1.2 and it
uses a Realtek 8111E (and a Realtek 887 codec; other revisions may use
non-Realtek codecs).
The R8111E is one which requires the Realtek driver (its the last one
listed in the MultiBeast selection list), NOT the Lnx2Mac driver
(which is listed first).
mosslack
pete...@cruzio.com
The entire combo is more specifically described as ...
COMBO #827527 � $204.99, with "free" 3-day UPS shipping
TREND MICRO Titanium Antivirus 2012 - 1 User for System Builder - OEM
Item #:�N82E16832286083
APEX PC-389-C Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #:�N82E16811154095
GIGABYTE GA-H61M-DS2 LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #:�N82E16813128527
hec HP485D 485W ATX12V Power Supply - Power Cord Included
Item #:�N82E16817339020
Intel Pentium G850 Sandy Bridge 2.9GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop
Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623G850
Item #:�N82E16819116397
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual
Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT
Item #:�N82E16820231253
... and it is now working perfectly on 10.7.3, except for sound, which I
believe is a symptom of H-series sound issues and the ALC8xxHDA +
roll-back method (this method works perfectly on P-series mobos).
I did not buy the combo with the intention of using the antivirus package
as this is a MacOS X build, not a Windows 7 build.
The case is pretty nice. The PSU and the mobo are great. The RAM is fine
... not the "heat spreader" kind, but 1333 MHz is 1333 MHz is 1333 MHz (to
paraphrase Gertrude Stein).
faithie999
on and off for 6 months to get audio working on (without needing to
resort to voodooHDA). a couple of weeks ago i found an ALC887 kext
that someone had modded, and it works!
i have just looked at my s/l/e folder, and in addition to the
ALC887.kext i have an ALC8xx.kext, AppleHDA.kext, and
HDAEnabler888b.kext. i assume that the ALC8xx and HDAEnabler888b
kexts are remnants of past attempts that i forgot to remove.
i don't think in can attach the kext to this message so i will email
it to you.
just wanted to post this on the forum in case it helps someone else.
ken
pete...@cruzio.com
> i have an H55M mobo with the 887 codec, that i have been trying
> on and off for 6 months to get audio working on (without needing to
> resort to voodooHDA). a couple of weeks ago i found an ALC887 kext
> that someone had modded, and it works!
>
> i have just looked at my s/l/e folder, and in addition to the
> ALC887.kext i have an ALC8xx.kext, AppleHDA.kext, and
> HDAEnabler888b.kext. i assume that the ALC8xx and HDAEnabler888b
> kexts are remnants of past attempts that i forgot to remove.
>
> i don't think in can attach the kext to this message so i will email
> it to you.
>
> just wanted to post this on the forum in case it helps someone else.
Cool! Looking forward to it (them).
The ALC888b and the ALC887 are, apparently, identical.
At least the DSDT definitions for both are the same.
PH
Due to lack of available wired Internet connections, I have installed
a Rosewill wireless E-net dongle, model RNX-N150UBE, on the $205 Sandy
Bridge build.
This device is sometimes available as a "Shell Shocker" for just under
$10.
The installer package named
Wlan_11n_USB_MacOS10.6_Driver_1079_UI_1.8.8 ... although it is stated
to be applicable for 10.6 ... has always worked flawlessly on 10.7,
and I have several of these on my various Lion Hacks.
This is being sent from my $205 build and over the RNX-N150UBE.
The RNX-N150UBE is one of the very first dongles to utilize a true
single-chip WiFi solution, not the usual solutions which have a chip
for the protocol and a separate chip for the transmitter/receiver
function.
PH
The fix was applied and it works!
It is necessary to REMOVE ALC8xxHDA in both /S/L/E and /E/E, ensure
that AppleHDA has indeed been rolled-back, and to install ALC887 using
Kext Utility (whereby it will be moved into /S/L/E).
Finally, it is necessary to select Line Out for the green jack (the
middle one).
With the implementation of the ALC887 fix, everything on the $205
Build is now working as required.
This was a fun build, and for very little coin, too.
The fact that the case and PSU combo are more than adequate for any
future build of, say, a fully-sized mobo, is a definite plus. Very
open-ended.
PH
The ALC887 and R8111E are quite common on H61M-type mobos. Probably a good price-point for the product.
ASUS also has an H61M-type mobo which has these two chips but also has a legacy PCI slot which the Giga mobo doesn't.
I think the case and PSU used in my build are right at the sweet spot for economy builds without sacrificing any features or specs.
PH
> ASUS also has an H61M-type mobo which has these two chips but also has a
> legacy PCI slot which the Giga mobo doesn't.
I believe it is a dumbed-down 6-series, the one which Intel had so
much trouble with mid last year.
Recall that the 6-series had SATA III (6 Gb/s) as ports 0 and 1 (and
that these worked) and had SATA II (3 Gb/s) as ports 2, 3, 4 and 5
(and that these did not work in a number of cases which were well
documented, and which ultimately forced Intel to do a complete recall
on all 6-series mobos of all manufacturers which claimed to support
SATA II).
Well, the ASUS H61M-type mobo has SATA ports 0 and 1 and 5 and 6
printed and stuffed, and ports 2 and 3 printed but not stuffed, for a
total of 4 SATA ports all of which are SATA II.
The Giga H61M-type mobo has the same, but ports 2 and 3 are not
printed so they obviously cannot be stuffed.
Using IORegistryExplorer against a DSDT which has had the usual hack
of renaming SATA PRIM to PRT0 and SATA SECD to PRT1, the Giga H61M-
type mobo reports PRT0, PRT1, PRT4 and PRT5 as available SATA devices,
and no PRT2 nor PRT3.
The renaming of PRIM to PRT0 and SECD to PRT1 is merely a DSDT hack
which allows the devices to seem well-behaved to MacOS X, and any
devices above SECD/PRT1 will be automagically added as PRT2, ..., PRT5
if they exist at all, and not if they don't exist.
As there are no ports 2 and 3, this automagic renaming is not done to
those ports.
There are some flavors of ICH7s which have no port 2 and 3, so
forewarned is forearmed. In these cases, there will only be PRT0 and
PRT1, and even then only if PRIM has been renamed PRT0 and SECD has
been renamed PRT1.
The Shuttle X27D and 945 are two examples with ICH7s where there are
no SATA ports 2 and 3. There are undoubtedly others from other
manufacturers.
In a very early 945, the ICH is an ICH6, and those ports are SATA I
(1.5 Gb/s), but these are also named PRIM/PRT0, SECD/PRT1, PRT2 and
PRT3.
PH
more function than the GA-H61M-DS2 for about the same price.
The H61MA adds USB 3.0 using the E-Tron chip (supported by the hacked
LaCie driver and by MultiBeast) and SATA III (6 Gb/s) using a Marvell
chip (also supported by MultiBeast).
The H61MA has three PCI-e 1x slots to the H61MA's two. Both have one
PCI-e 16x, of course.
The H61MA uses an AMI BIOS whereas the H61 uses an Award BIOS, but
both have proved to be equally adaptable to Lion, and I would expect
the same of Mountain Lion.
PH
NewEgg is having a $10 off sale with "free" 3-day shipping (shipping
is normally $6.99 on this product) on the GA-H61MA-D3V motherboard
today.
This board has three PCI-e 1x slots (in addition to a PCI-e 16x slot)
and USB 3.0 via an Etron Tech USB 3.0 chip which is known to be
supported using the hacked LaCie USB 3.0 driver provided by
MultiBeast.
This board also has two SATA III (6 Gb/s) ports via a Marvell chip
which is supported by MultiBeast.
This board has an AMI BIOS and is too new for tonymacx86 to support it
(he doesn't do too well on support of AMI BIOS mobos, anyway).
ALC887, so we know sound is supported by the new ALC887 kext (really,
it is a well-designed plist).
The usual R8111E LAN, of course.
mosslack
pete...@cruzio.com
>> NewEgg is having a $10 off sale with "free" 3-day shipping (shipping
>> is normally $6.99 on this product) on the GA-H61MA-D3V motherboard
>> today.
>
> with the proper CPU?
No.
I have only used HD 2000 once, and that was for an initial BIOS setup.
Thereafter, I always used a video card.
I have NO procs which have HD 3000.