Hackintosh for Resolve

[David Kellermann]

Hi,

i was looking for possibilities to speed up Colorista 2 in Premiere Pro CS5 or After Affects CS5 to realtime but there doesn't seem to be a solution (http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53145)

Jake Blakestone recommended to use rather an Hackintosh with Resolve than Colorista, so I did some research on Hackintoshs.

It would be great if Hackintosh users could share some of their experiences on this thread and point me and other editors looking for a good colorgrading suite on a budget in the right direction. Would a system like the following one enable a realtime workflow on ProRes Files and R3D files, even while using keyer and power masks?

ASUS P6T7 WS SuperComputer, X58
Intel Core i7-950, 4x 3.06GHz (maybe OCed)
24GB DDR3 RAM
GTX 480
Red Rocket
DeckLink HD Extreme 3D
SSD (system disc)
RAID (8x 1TB RAID0 ARC-1880-i) (all data is save on a NAS and backups)

Also has someone tried using a GTX 570 or 580?

Sorry for the many questions. I would be more than happy if someone could answer one or more of them.

David

***UPDATE***

I ordered today the following setup. I'll update this thread with news on the hackintosh DaVinci performance and some links to files and guides you will need to build your own one.

ASUS P6T7 WS SuperComputer, X58
Intel Core i7-950, 4x 3.06GHz (maybe OCed)
24GB 1600 DDR3 RAM
3x GTX 480 (with watercooling blocks to fit them in a single slot)
DeckLink HD Extreme 3D+
8x 1TB Spinpoint F3
Arceca ARC-1880-i
Enermax Revolution85+ 1250W ATX 2.3
Mac OS X 10.6.3

***UPDATE 2***

Thanks to Luigi, I was able to set up my Hackintosh. Everything is working flawlessly!

The components:

ASUS P6T7 WS SuperComputer, X58
Intel Core i7-950, 4x 3.06GHz
24GB DDR3 1600 RAM
3x GTX 480 watercooled (Aquacomputer connected via Twinconnect)
DeckLink HD Extreme 3D+
RAID (8x 1TB RAID0 ARC-1880-i)

My configuration:

1 - empty
2 - empty (HMDI output)
3 - GTX480
4 - Blackmagic Decklink 3D+
5 - GTX480
6 - Areca 1880i
7 - GTX480

I partitioned the RAID0. Booting from it works perfectly (I'll set up a dual boot with Windows 7).

The read/write speeds are awesome. Aja disk test (system cache disabled) 3500MB/s read / 2000MB/s write

See this thread for further informations:
http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=54430

 

[Charles Angus]

It's my understanding that you need two graphics cards for realtime in Resolve.

 

[Alex Carr]

I have P6T7, nice board. Runs osx well, has x7 Pci-e Lanes.

 

[Ben Brainerd]

The thing to remember about a hackintosh is the it is *NOT SUPPORTED*

By anyone. Problems with OS X? Apple won't help you. Problems with your graphics card? Nvidia/ATI won't help. Problems with Resolve? You *might* be able to get someone to help you, but more likely you'll get "Sorry, unsupported system, can't help you." I could go on and on like this, but you get the picture, I hope.

 

[David Kellermann]

Sure, but since the system is only used only for Resolve, there shouldn't be to many problems. Even if, there are other systems as backups.

I'll wait until the new Intel CPU / mainboards are released since they support EFI. If MacOSX wont work with those, I'll try a configuration like above and post the results on this thread.

 

[Jesse Korosi]

It's my understanding that you need two graphics cards for realtime in Resolve.

I am sure I have not pushed the Divinci I am running on my MacPro as hard as I could. But for playback, primary corrections and even window tracking just using the NVIDIA Quadro FX 4800 card it seems to be working in Realtime. It is amazing how stable the program is as well. Even when using it for Arri Alexa processing or grading, it hasn't crashed during a session yet.

 

[luigivaltulini]

Hello David,
to support OS X for your mainboard then http://www.s155158671.websitehome.co.uk/modifiedg5hackia.html or visit the forum and talk AQUAMAC,
regarding the flow in real time there are many people here in the forums that you can give some advice, this forum is full of nice people who help you.
I advise you if you are a beginner with a hakintosh to be very careful not as easy as it seems to make a perfect gaming. I would recommend you start with a gigabyte UD7 and download the necessary http://www.kakewalk.se/ from here if you need help you get well without problems.
And yes gtx 580 work but only in with driver nvidia mac and 10.6.5

 

[Bruce Allen]

Normally this would be a good idea.

BUT - the DaVinci guys are REALLY responsive and cool if you have a problem. If you use a Hackintosh, you miss out on that - and it's worth a lot.

Resolve isn't like some Adobe product where it takes 6 months / never for them to fix a bug.

I hit a very minor bug at one point in the beta (that only occurred with an old, unsupported Blackmagic card) and emailed them precise details on it.

They fixed it in a day with a new build - overnight support from the programmers.

Yes, a Mac Pro is lacking in PCI slots and is overpriced. However, the efficient coding on DaVinci's part comes close to making up for that. Then their support closes the argument.

IMHO the only reason you should Hackintosh for DaVinci is if you can't afford a Mac. Still though, this is really one of those times when it's a good idea to just get the recommended system.

My 2c.

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com

 

[Ben Brainerd]

IMHO the only reason you should Hackintosh for DaVinci is if you can't afford a Mac. Still though, this is really one of those times when it's a good idea to just get the recommended system.

I actually had a pretty lengthy discussion about this with some of my buddies over drinks a couple days ago. It was long and convoluted, but the short version was "Pro software requires pro hardware."

I'm not saying that, in your particular situation, Resolve on a hackintosh won't work out. It's possible it will. But is it really worth the risk on a professional job? The last thing you want is clients getting annoyed with you because you're working out bugs in your hacked-up system that occur in the middle of a grading session. (Because that's when they'll happen. Not during your shakedown, not during your solo grading. Murphy demands that show-stopping bugs will occur with clients in the room)

There's also the question of "Budget System" as it applies here. You're looking at a seat of Resolve ($1000), a control surface ($1500+), a RedRocket ($3000/$4750), the Decklink HD/3D ($1000), a high-end monitor for output ($2500 for HP Dreamcolor or FSI 1760, possibly a LOT more) and call it another $500 for various bits and bobs. That's $9500 before you even factor in actual baseline computer hardware. Yes, you can probably built a machine that's equivalent specs-wise to a Mac Pro, but you're still going to be in the range of $13000. And once you end up spending that much, are the "savings" of a hackintosh really worth the hassles?

 

[Rob Ruffo]

I'd say for short form you don't NEED a Red Rocket - Rocket is awesome gear that makes me drool, but you can always render a 30 second spot or a 3.5 minute music video after the client has gone home - it will only take less than an hour.

Also, you really don't NEED a Dreamcolor - since it has no viewing angle issues, you could go for a Panasonic plasma (in some ways it would be better) as a secondary monitor for final color tweaks. Get an HDMI switch and you are all set.

 

[Peter Chamberlain]

Hi guys, now that Resolve v7.1 on Mac supports multiple GPU's via an expander I see no reason to consider anything other than the certified platform. Our development team works day and night to make it reliable on both Linux and Mac and we trust that this most recent major update, just 90 days from the formal IBC release, shows how serious we are about adding the features you need as quickly as we can.
Peter

 

[David Kellermann]

Hello David,
to support OS X for your mainboard then http://www.s155158671.websitehome.co.uk/modifiedg5hackia.html or visit the forum and talk AQUAMAC.

I would recommend you start with a gigabyte UD7 and download the necessary http://www.kakewalk.se/ from here if you need help you get well without problems.
And yes gtx 580 work but only in with driver nvidia mac and 10.6.5

Thanks a lot for the links! The UD7 unfortunately has only 4 PCIx16 slots, so I'll stick probably to the ASUS P6T7 and two or three GTX 570, since I can use now multiple GPUs for Resolve.

There's also the question of "Budget System" as it applies here. You're looking at a seat of Resolve ($1000), a control surface ($1500+), a RedRocket ($3000/$4750), the Decklink HD/3D ($1000), a high-end monitor for output ($2500 for HP Dreamcolor or FSI 1760, possibly a LOT more) and call it another $500 for various bits and bobs. That's $9500 before you even factor in actual baseline computer hardware. Yes, you can probably built a machine that's equivalent specs-wise to a Mac Pro, but you're still going to be in the range of $13000. And once you end up spending that much, are the "savings" of a hackintosh really worth the hassles?

I already got an Pany P50VT25, a Blackmagic 3D and a nice RAID setup. Still I will probably spend 1300$ on a PC, all the other hardware (raid-controller, GPUs) and software (Resolve) could be used in a Mac Pro which I will probably buy next summer when the new Mac Pros get out. The PC could then still be used as an additional editing station in my company. As I invested already quite a lot in the last months, every 1000$ realy matter. By next summer my financial situation will probably allow me to upgrade to "real" Macs, but I can't wait for Resolve until then.

Hi guys, now that Resolve v7.1 on Mac supports multiple GPU's via an expander I see no reason to consider anything other than the certified platform. Our development team works day and night to make it reliable on both Linux and Mac and we trust that this most recent major update, just 90 days from the formal IBC release, shows how serious we are about adding the features you need as quickly as we can.
Peter

Your amazing product is the reason why I want a Mac so urgent. Believe me that I know about the upsides of using certified hardware / software combinations and will invest in them, as soon as it is possible for my company.
Or you could just make the Linux license a 1000$ :laugh:

 

[Harris Charalambous]

Hi guys, now that Resolve v7.1 on Mac supports multiple GPU's via an expander I see no reason to consider anything other than the certified platform. Our development team works day and night to make it reliable on both Linux and Mac and we trust that this most recent major update, just 90 days from the formal IBC release, shows how serious we are about adding the features you need as quickly as we can.
Peter

Peter, I just checked out the update. You guys are doing great stuff - keep it coming.

 

[jake blackstone]

Hi guys, now that Resolve v7.1 on Mac supports multiple GPU's via an expander I see no reason to consider anything other than the certified platform. Our development team works day and night to make it reliable on both Linux and Mac and we trust that this most recent major update, just 90 days from the formal IBC release, shows how serious we are about adding the features you need as quickly as we can.
Peter

Agreed Peter, certified system is the way to go, but can you tell us what other hardware beside 2xFX4000 and GT 120 can present Mac reliably run with the expander chassis? What kind of performance can we expect with 2 GPUs? Can this system run 2xRR for real time stereo grading? What about real time 4k grading? Just curious...
Never mind, just found the answer:
http://forums.creativecow.net/readpost/277/3283

 

[Matt Gottshalk]

tagged.

 

[Jose Lomeña]

Why hackintosh?

I have a MacPro 12 core 2.9, a lot of Imac, macbook, and 6 hackpros.

All my system fail in a middle of a project, but not for a hardware problem, always software problems.

If you only need one system, go with a macpro, but my recomendation if you need 3 or more system is hackintosh. Why, because if the computer died, you only need to replace the needed parts, and no more very expensive reparations from apple store, or expensive or impossible harware upgrades

my clients are happier with a spare system, than, only one expensive and exclusive fast macpro. Think what your client need.

Saludos,

Jose.

 

[Ben Brainerd]

All my system fail in a middle of a project, but not for a hardware problem, always software problems.

If you're experiencing software problems, wouldn't that be an argument *FOR* a MacPro/Certified system? Given that running on a Hackintosh automatically invalidates any support for the software?

I suppose having a cheap backup system standing by would work, but personally I would rather be able to call up the software company and get the problem *fixed*, something you can't do with a hackintosh.

 

[Jose Lomeña]

Software problems fixed with a call?... In spanish?... From apple?...
At the end the problems are solved from users that can help you in boards like this. This is the best support. At least for me.
Like i said, i have macpro too, and certified support, but with one is enought. For the rest, hackpros.

 

[David Kellermann]

If you're experiencing software problems, wouldn't that be an argument *FOR* a MacPro/Certified system? Given that running on a Hackintosh automatically invalidates any support for the software?

I suppose having a cheap backup system standing by would work, but personally I would rather be able to call up the software company and get the problem *fixed*, something you can't do with a hackintosh.

Since all his systems fail, including the Mac Pros, the Apple software should be the problem, or at least that's how I understood it.

I'll wait with the Hackintosh until the new Intel CPUs are released in early January, since Sandy Bridge is supporting EFI which could be handy for Hackintosh.

After figuring out the glitches, I'll post some tutorial, benchmarks and pics on the new system.

 

[David Kellermann]

Software problems fixed with a call?... In spanish?... From apple?...
At the end the problems are solved from users that can help you in boards like this. This is the best support. At least for me.
Like i said, i have macpro too, and certified support, but with one is enought. For the rest, hackpros.

Seems like a good solution! I'll use Hackintosh anyway only for Resolve.