Efix Hack & Logic

Wait so let me get this Right... Your Computer isn't capable of handling Logic 4.7?

And you want to build a custom Computer so Logic runs smoother?

Why not just buy the New Mac mini if all your running is Logic?

Or better yet keep yoru old computer and get the Mac Mini to use as a (node)? Whatever the process is where you can have a seperate computer run your processing in Logic..

Well I haven't finished my build yet, been too busy at work, got the case and PSU and motherboard, I'm just doing it slowly in my spare time when I get a break from work.

It's really worth digging around the efix forums, they even have an audio forum with some good info,

http://forum.efi-x.com/

that way you should know about any problems you may come across, there have been good reports on there with Logic and Pro Tools. One thing is though, as I've stated in some threads, the Efix machine I'm building is intended to be a gaming rig, and a windows machine to run SoundForge on too, so for me at least it's less of a risk if installing OSX goes horribly wrong.

If you've got the money I'd consider getting a refurbed Mac Pro, I've looked around and haven't had any joy, that's why I've started the build, I'm just waiting and hoping for the 4870 to be put on the compatible hardware list.

If you do plan your own build, make sure you keep to the supported hardware, otherwise the admins on the forum won't help if you run into any problems.

Whatever you choose, good luck, and have fun with Logic 8, it's gotta few changes since 4.7

crazy idea: if you can't afford the hardware, why don't you change the software you use?

nplima said:

crazy idea: if you can't afford the hardware, why don't you change the software you use?

Click to expand...

He CAN afford the hardware. Quad core mainboards are only a few hundred bucks.

Read the Leopard EULA carefully and I think I can built a legal Hackintosh. It says you may install the software on any Apple labled computers. Some have interpeted this to mean that all you need to do is tape an apple logo on any one PC. That's not what they mean even if that is what they say. But I think there is zero doubt at all that one of those old Powermac tower computers with the plastic handles is what Apple intended.

So... Get one of those old Powermacs. You can buy them for $50, cheaper if they are broken. Then "upgrade" the old Power Mac. Apple allows this. Get a new Intel mainboard, a new power supply and replace the internal disk(s) Buy a new graphic card. As it turns out the screw holes (almost) line up and the new parts fit. The old Power Mac has almost an industry standard form factor


When you are done you will have a nice looking Apple designed case with new parts inside that almost meet Mac Pro specs. It could cost as little as $500.

I can't find anything where this is disallowed by Apple's terms. Even when I try an look for conservative interpretations, unless Apple says that you can only use Apple branded repair and upgrade parts. But they don't say that or even hint at it.

This project is NOT for anyone how does not understand the boot process, boot sectore EFI and so on.

I'm just gonna stick one of those apple stickers on the tower, I've got enough of them, that should get around the EULA

Also to the OP, if you do go the EFIX route, I'd suggest you just get it to run in a stable manor then leave it be, that's my plan, but my hands will be tied by what OS Digidesign say i can use.

P.S. this is the case I've got, the Coolermaster RC-1000



It's got sound proofing and the whole caboodle, should look nice next to my G5 Powermac

Now here's waiting for the 4870 to be compatible, and the slight smug feeling I'll get knowing that it will cost half the price of the MacPros 4870 GPU!!!

hmmmm

myca

do you recommend buying Efi-X?

i would purchase it immediately, as i too am building a hackintosh

the only issue i have is wasting AU$290 on Efi-X only to have it not be able to run 10.6 SL when it arrives - $290 for less than a years worth of usage is not to my likings.

would like to know if 10.6 would work
but the fact that it hasnt been released doesnt help

I love my efi-x

Hi Guys,

My friend is into video editing so one day called apple and got them to build a $45,000 aud Mac PRO i kid u not. 4x 30 inch screen 32gb ram 8 cores etc....
anyway besides the point i also wanted a mac pro 90% for logic 8

got my efix after doing sum research:
just for time being most parts were spares lying round the house just for testing

so i threw some parts together
q6600
ep45-ds3p
4gig @800mhz
800w psu
9800 gt
random hardives 120gb, 300,
m-audio fast track pro interface
microkorg
random case
22" monitor
zalman cooler


(Purchased but waiting to come in bought yesterday)

Intel pcie Giga Nic
Apple wireless extreme n mini pcie- on an mp2 mini pcie- pci express adaptor
Bluetooth dongle belkin
Apple aluminium wirelss keyboard
Apple mighty wireless mouse
yamaha hsm80 passive monitors
samsung 26" lcd monitor
Raid controller
2 x 1tb hdd (Time Machine, Storage)
2 x 76gb raptor 10k (raid,0)

Now my main worry was performance esp, with multiple samples playing at the same time im not guna lie u cant have the latency to 64 but runs perfect at 256/512 but i believe thats more of an issue with the m-audio fast track pro interface then the rig itself ,
and i have not yet finished building it but each time i come home from work sit down in fornt of my efi-x mac for about 4 hours and make what i think i listenable music.
i have another friend who bought a standard mac pro runs fine bought it for logic also and we share saved projects all the time.
i will uprgraded the interface recent purchase have put me in the negative when i get the money but i want to finish the guts then compare it with the godzilla of mac pro sitting at my friends house .

so far with everything has cost me :$1900 with another 800 planned (ram,g5 case.etc...

Cheers,

^^

Nice, I've just ordered a 4870, so no efix until that GPU is supported, which is annoying me slightly, especially as their forums are down at the moment. But my rig's gonna be sweet for gaming, which is important to me as I work with audio in games, so I need the windows side to play with some of the SDKs to try to get more work

But I can't wait to run Logic on my quad core Q9550, it should scream compared to my dual G5!!!

dryjoy said:

The only thing is that I would have to go budget on a display, I couldn't strech to an ACD, and that's what I'm weighing up, but as the sole purpose of the machine will be for recording music, I am thinking that the extra power in Logic (which I believe will use all the four cores properly, correct me if I'm wrong) and the longevity of the Mac Pro would outweigh the advantage of having the lovely iMac display.
I will probably not be able to spend this money again for a long time (9 years since I got the G4!), so I am really taking my time to make the right decision.

Click to expand...

You can pick up a decent 24" from BenQ for around £200 off ebuyer or dabs, I do think that ADCs can be very expensive in comparison to other displays, I decided a year ago to get 2 decent 22" screens rather than 1 23" ADC, in fact the 2 22" monitors cost less than a single 23" ADC.

If you do pick up the MacPro I hope you enjoy, and I'm sure you'll find all that power and the new features in Logic 8 a godsend