Apple Reveals 2012 Mac Laptops: How This Helps Us

Today at WWDC, Apple unveiled it's next generation MacBook Pro with it's 2880x1800 resolution "Retina" display. They also bumped all of the current MacBook Air and Pro models to Intel's new Ivy Bridge CPUs. This news is not only exciting for people in need of a new Mac, but also for speculative custom computer builders. The changes represent some of the most ever in one day, and will eventually add a lot of new features and functionality to Mac OS X.

How This Helps Us:

• Intel's new Ivy Bridge Socket 1155 CPU Support
• Native Kernel and Power Management
• Intel HD 4000 Integrated Graphics (60% faster than HD 3000)
• NVIDIA GeForce 6xx Support
• Specific device ids TBD
• Intel USB 3.0 Support
• Native Ivy Bridge USB 3.0
• 3rd party chipset support is unknown.

For the next few weeks, all of this will most likely be included only in special hardware specific builds of 10.7.4, and will be unavailable to us. When 10.8 Mountain Lion is officially released in July, the support will be native.

UPDATE: Apple has released an official Mac OS X Lion 10.7.4 MacBook Pro (Mid 2012) Software Update 1.0. This download delivers initial support for Ivy Bridge CPUs, USB3, NVIDIA GeForce Kepler GPUs, and HD 4000 integrated graphics. More info to come. Testing is underway.

-tonymacx86 & MacMan

Related Posts:

Apple Posts Details of MacBook Pro with Retina Display
OS X Mountain Lion Will Cost $19.99 - Shipping in July

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MultiBeast 4.4 Update

Today MultiBeast was updated to version 4.4 for Lion. The latest version of MultiBeast is now available at tonymacx86.com/downloads.

Please do not upload or redistribute MultiBeast to any other sites. 

What's new in MultiBeast 4.4:

• Added toleda's patched AppleHDA's to Drivers & Bootloaders -> Kexts & Enablers -> Audio -> Realtek ALC8xx -> Patched AppleHDA
• Added ALC898 to Drivers & Bootloaders -> Kexts & Enablers -> Audio -> Realtek ALC8xx -> Non-DSDT HDAEnabler.
• Added HWMonitor Application to Drivers & Bootloaders -> Kexts & Enablers -> Miscellaneous -> FakeSMC Plugins.
• Updated Chimera to v1.9.2
• Updated ALC8xxHDA to v2.0.1
• Updated FakeSMC to v4.2 rev609
• Updated FakeSMC Plugins to v4.2 rev609+
• + designates MacMan's addition of Ivy Bridge CPU detection to this source.
• Updated hnak's AppleIntelE1000e Ethernet to v1.9.5 and changed install location to /System/Library/Extensions/IONetworkingFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns.

Special thanks to the Project OS X Team for their continued development of FakeSMC and FakeSMC Plugins, and mozo and Navi for the new HWMonitor App.

If you have Bug Reports or Feature Requests, please let us know in the MultiBeast section of the forum.

-tonymacx86 & MacMan

Related Posts:

Optimized Realtek Lion 10.7.3 AppleHDA

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

Chimera 1.9 Update: Multiple NVIDIA Cards, Ivy Bridge and GTX 680 Support

Today MacMan updated Chimera to version 1.9. The most exciting change is the addition of a new bit of GraphicsEnabler code from the Chameleon team to enable multiple NVIDIA graphics cards without any extra DSDT edits necessary! He's also added support for Intel's soon to be released Ivy Bridge CPUs and GraphicsEnabler detection for NVIDIA's new GeForce GTX 680. This new version will be included in the next MultiBeast release.

 

Chimera v1.9 Changes:

• Back-ported the following Chameleon commit:
• r1903 "NVDA,Child" device_type support for non-primary NVIDIA cards.
• Multiple graphics cards work without any extra DSDT edits.
• Added support for Ivy Bridge CPUs.
• Added GraphicsEnabler detection code for NVIDIA GTX 680 and GT 620.
• Driver support is still missing in Mac OS X.
• Added additional missing NVIDIA cards.
• Added GT540M device id 0x0DF4 to memory detection work around.
• Cleaned up Sandy Bridge-E CPU detection and support code. 

NOTE: Proper drivers are required for full graphics support.

There is a standalone installer, available at tonymacx86.com/downloads. For bug reporting, feature requests, and general feedback please use the Chimera forum.

-tonymacx86 & MacMan

Related Posts:
Chimera 1.8 Update
Chimera 1.7 Update
Chimera 1.6 Update
Chimera 1.5.4 Update: FaceTime Fix
Chimera 1.5 Update- Sandy Bridge HD 3000 Onboard Graphics Support

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

Optimizing NVIDIA GeForce 4xx and 5xx Graphics Cards for Mac OS X Lion Using OpenCL and CUDA

Many graphics and video professionals prefer using NVIDIA graphics cards. OpenCL (Open Computing Language) was initially created by Apple to provide applications access to the computing power of the graphics card as well as the CPU. This can dramatically increase the general performance of high-end applications at the OS level, and has become an industry standard. Apple has supported OpenCL since Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.

Using the latest MultiBeast, all NVIDIA 4xx and 5xx graphics cards can be optimized for Mac OS X Lion. We've included a Combo OpenCL Enabler, that not only patches all device IDs into the native driver, but patches the system to use the power of OpenCL. Earlier NVIDIA (pre-Fermi) models and ATI/AMD cards are OpenCL enabled by default, and do not need any patching. Integrated graphics solutions such as Intel HD 3000 do not support OpenCL.

How to Enable OpenCL for NVIDIA 4xx and 5xx Graphics Cards:

     1. Update to the latest version of Mac OS X Lion
     2. Download MultiBeast
     3. Run Combo OpenCL Enabler
     4. Reboot

NOTE: Only for Mac OS X Lion native drivers with NVIDIA 4xx and 5xx cards. If you've previously installed the official Quadro for Mac drivers for Lion from NVIDIA's site, do NOT run the Combo OpenCL Enabler.

NVIDIA has created a similar but proprietary technology, called CUDA. According to NVIDIA's site, CUDA is "a parallel computing platform that enables dramatic increases in computing performance by harnessing the power of the graphics processing unit (GPU)". NVIDIA's CUDA driver for Mac can be downloaded free from NVIDIA's site here.

It is important to note that both CUDA and OpenCL don't work with every piece of software. The application itself must be coded to support them. Refer to the developer's website for compatibility with these technologies.

Below are some of our top picks for modern NVIDIA cards that can be fully enabled using the new Combo OpenCL Enabler and CUDA. 

	GeForce GT 430	Amazon  Newegg
	GeForce GTS 450	Amazon  Newegg
	GeForce GTX 460	Amazon  Newegg
	GeForce GTX 470	Amazon  Newegg
	GeForce GTX 480	Amazon  Newegg
	GeForce GT 520	Amazon  Newegg
	GeForce GTX 550ti	Amazon  Newegg
	GeForce GTX 560	Amazon  Newegg
	GeForce GTX 560ti	Amazon  Newegg
	GeForce GTX 570	Amazon  Newegg
	GeForce GTX 580	Amazon  Newegg

Check out our CustoMac Buyer's Guide for a huge list of alternate graphics cards, parts, and full Sandy Bridge Socket 1155 builds. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

-tonymacx86 & MacMan

Related Posts: 
Building a Sandy Bridge CustoMac: Buyer's Guide
Demystifying HDMI Audio in Mac OS X 10.7 Lion
Building a CustoMac: CustoMac Mini 2011

Building a CustoMac: CustoMac Pro 2010

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

MultiBeast 4.3 Update

Today MultiBeast was updated to version 4.3 for Lion. We've added a new Combo OpenCL Enabler, which when combined with Chimera 1.8 will enable full QE/CI and OpenCL for all NVIDIA GeForce 4xx and 5xx graphics cards. Two more big additions are the flAked SpeedStepper for UEFI power management fixes, and maolj's Atheros ethernet driver. The latest version of MultiBeast is now available at tonymacx86.com/downloads.

Please do not upload or redistribute MultiBeast to any other sites. 

What's new in MultiBeast 4.3...

• Updated Chimera to v1.8.0
• Renamed NVIDIA GF100 Fermi Patches to NVIDIA 4xx/5xx Support
• Renamed OpenCL Enabler 10.7.0 / 10.7.1 to 10.7.0 / 10.7.1 netkas OpenCL Enabler
• Removed OpenCL Enabler 10.7.2
• Added 10.7.2 / 10.7.3 Combo OpenCL Enabler. 
• This new enabler contains the functionality from the old OpenCL Enabler plus adds cmf's OpenGL patch and MacMan's patch to add the missing NVIDIA device IDs. 
• NOTE: ONLY for native Apple-released graphics drivers, NOT for the older NVIDIA Official Drivers for Quadro released here.
• Renamed ATI 48xx Patches to ATI 48xx Support
• Moved ATI 48xx Device Injector to ATI 48xx Support -> ATI 48xx Device Injector
• Renamed all ATI 48xx Patch for 10.7.x to 10.7.x netkas ATI 48xx Patch
• Added 10.7.3 netkas ATI 48xx Patch for 10.7.3 to Graphics -> ATI 48xx Support
• Added flAked SpeedStepper to Drivers & Bootloaders -> Kexts & Enablers -> Miscellaneous
• Added maolj's AtherosL1cEthernet to Drivers & Bootloaders -> Kexts & Enablers -> Network
• Removed OSx86 Software. 
• The programs in this choice are now available for download here.
• Added 10.7.2 / 10.7.3 Combo OpenCL Enabler to EasyBeast and UserDSDT installs.
• Changed npci=0x2000 to npci=0x3000 for all kernel flags.
• Removed backup function from any script that was backing up and patching kexts.
• Updated IntelCPUMonitor to v1.0.1 rev505

If this utility has helped you, please consider a contribution to support further MultiBeast development. Thanks in advance, and enjoy! If you have Bug Reports or Feature Requests, please let us know in the MultiBeast section of the forum.

-tonymacx86 & MacMan

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

MultiBeast 4.2 Update

Today MultiBeast was updated to version 4.2 for Lion. The latest version is now available at tonymacx86.com/downloads. 

Please do not upload or redistribute MultiBeast to any other sites. 

Full list of changes:

• Added TRIM Enabler to Drivers & Bootloaders > Kexts & Enablers > Disk
• Added AppleRTC Patch for CMOS Reset to Drivers & Bootloaders > Kexts & Enablers > Miscellaneous (Only needed for previous installs)
• Updated Chimera to v1.7.0
• Updated USB 3.0 kext to v1.0.8
• Updated FakeSMC Plugins > AMD RADEON Plugin
• Updated FakeSMC Plugins > NVIDIA Plugin
• Added AppleRTC Patch for CMOS Reset to EasyBeast
• Added AppleRTC Patch for CMOS Reset to UserDSDT
• Added AppleRTC Patch for CMOS Reset to Extension Migration Tool

If this utility has helped you, please consider a contribution to support further MultiBeast development. Thanks in advance, and enjoy!  If you have Bug Reports or Feature Requests, please let us know in the MultiBeast section of the forum.

-tonymacx86 & MacMan

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

MultiBeast 4.1 Update

Today MultiBeast was updated to version 4.1 for Lion. The latest version is now available at tonymacx86.com/downloads. 

Please do not upload or redistribute MultiBeast to any other sites. 

Full list of changes:

• Updated EasyBeast description to include all org.chameleon.Boot.plist options used, all file names and installation locations. 
• Updated UserDSDT description to include all org.chameleon.Boot.plist options used, all file names and installation locations.
• Updated each kext description to include the exact file names and installation location.
• Updated descriptions for Customization -> Boot Options and all sub-choices.
• Updated description for System Utilities and removed Rebuild Caches as it is no longer relevant in Lion.
• Replace VoodooPS2Controller and VoodooPS2TrackPad with PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse/Trackpad (32/64-bit)
• Added ATI 48xx Patch for 10.7.2 from netkas to Graphics
• Added NVIDIA GF100 Fermi Patches to Graphics
• Moved NVIDIA Fermi OpenCL Enabler 10.7.0 / 10.7.1 under NVIDIA GF100 Fermi Patches and renamed it OpenCL Enabler 10.7.0 / 10.7.1
• Added OpenCL Enabler 10.7.2 to Graphics -> NVIDIA GF100 Fermi Patches.
• Updated Lnx2Mac's RTL81xx Ethernet to v0.0.90
• Updated Realtek Gigabit Ethernet to v2.0.6 for 10.7
• Updated Chimera to v1.6.0
• Updated USB 3.0 kext to v1.0.7
• Updated 3rdParty SATA to v0.3
• Updated 3rdParty eSATA to v0.3
• Added darkwake=0 to EasyBeast and UserDSDT /Extra/org.chameleon.Boot.plist kernel flags.
• Added UseKernelCache=Yes to EasyBeast and UserDSDT /Extra/org.chameleon.Boot.plist.
• Added GenerateCStates=Yes and GeneratePStates=Yes to UserDSDT /Extra/org.chameleon.Boot.plist.
• Changed EasyBeast to boot 64-bit kernel by default.

If this utility has helped you, please consider a contribution to support further MultiBeast development. Thanks in advance, and enjoy!  If you have Bug Reports or Feature Requests, please let us know in the MultiBeast section of the forum.

-tonymacx86 & MacMan

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

Demystifying HDMI Audio in Mac OS X 10.7 Lion

HDMI Audio + Video can be enabled on Mac OS X Lion for most graphics card and motherboard configurations without much hassle using the replacement audio driver VoodooHDA. Using the supplied AppleHDA.kext for HDMI audio is something of a challenge, but provides numerous benefits including native Mac OS X support, high quality digital surround audio and overall system integration.

Since Lion's launch, tonymacx86.com mod toleda has been exploring and experimenting using different methods, and has come up with what we think is a pretty definitive series of guides on the subject. Please note that this is an advanced process and is highly dependent on your exact hardware configuration.

Enabling HDMI audio in Mac OS X 10.7.x is comprised of three parts and six guides:

Part 1: HDMI Audio Requirements 
Determines if your system is capable of HDMI audio.

Part 2: HDMI Audio DSDT Edits
Configures your motherboard for HDMI audio.
     2a. Discrete Graphics - AMD/Nvidia
     2b. Integrated Graphics - Intel HD 3000

Part 3: HDMI Audio Kext Edits
Customizes Mac OS X for your graphics card.
     3a. AMD HD 5xxx and HD 6xxx
     3b. Nvidia GT/S/X 4xx and GT/S/X 5xx
     3c. Intel HD3000 Integrated Graphics

Check out the HDMI Audio subforum set up to host toleda's guides and general troubleshooting topics. Good luck, and let us know how it works for you!

-tonymacx86, toleda & MacMan

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

New Graphics Support Discovered in OS X Lion: Sandy Bridge Intel Onboard, NVIDIA GeForce 5xx

Now that the cat is out of the bag, we can reveal some information about diverse new support for graphics in OS X Lion. The following graphics solutions have been reported as working. Please do not view this post as buying advice- all of this is experimental, and may or may not be stable.

Sandy Bridge Intel Onboard Graphics

While Intel's 2nd Generation Sandy Bridge onboard graphics solutions aren't powerful enough to be used for gaming, they do outperform older discreet cards such as the 8400 GS. In fact, Apple is using these chips in the latest Mac mini, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. We've personally confirmed HD 3000 from the Core i5-2500K working with full acceleration in OS X Lion.

NVIDIA GeForce 5xx series

These powerful next generation "Fermi" cards have initial support without any additional drivers in Lion. The NVDAGF100Hal.kext that is used for the Quadro and GeForce 4xx drivers is included by default. CUDA has to be installed separately, but has also been updated for 10.7. Although we haven't tested personally, these cards have been confirmed working in OS X Lion.

We're excited about all of this new functionality! If you have enabled full resolution and QE/CI acceleration, please share your experiences at the above threads in the forum. Good luck and have fun!

-tonymacx86 & MacMan

Related Posts: 

xMove + MultiBeast: Install OS X 10.7 Lion

Building a Sandy Bridge CustoMac: Recommended Builds for OS X
Fully Compatible NVIDIA Graphics Cards for Mac OS X

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

Demystifying Mac OS X HDMI Audio

HDMI Audio + Video can be enabled on Mac OS X for most graphics card and motherboard configurations without much hassle using the replacement audio driver VoodooHDA. Using the supplied AppleHDA.kext for HDMI audio is something of a challenge, but provides numerous benefits including native Mac OS X support, high quality digital surround audio and overall system integration.

Over the past few months, toleda has been exploring and experimenting using different methods, and has come up with what we think is a pretty definitive series of guides on the subject. Please note that this is an advanced process and is highly dependent on your exact hardware configuration.

Enabling HDMI audio via AppleHDA in Mac OS X 10.6.x is comprised of four guides:

1. Requirements - Determines if your system is capable of HDMI audio. 
2. DSDT Edits - Configures your motherboard for HDMI audio.
3. Kext Edits for AMD 5xxx - Customizes Mac OS X for your AMD 5xxx graphics card. 
4. Kext Edits for NVIDIA 4xx - Customizes Mac OS X for your NVIDIA 4xx graphics card.

We've set up a new HDMI Audio subforum to host toleda's guides and general troubleshooting topics. Good luck!

-tonymacx86, toleda & MacMan

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

How To Get iBoot Functionality From MultiBeast

One of the top questions on the forum these days seems to be how to get the functionality of iBoot when booting from the hard drive. For novices, it seems like the process ends after the Combo Update. But iBoot was designed as an installation tool only- not as a permanent solution for post-installation. It is NOT a boot crutch. By using it as such, you are limiting the functionality and upgradeability of your system. Fortunately, MultiBeast contains the same drivers and files as iBoot and can allow most things to work without using a DSDT.

We created MultiBeast to solve the post-installation problem. When installed, the following MultiBeast options will allow boot from a 1 TB or less hard drive or partition, universal audio, network, and graphics. These are not the only drivers available, and may not give optimized performance. However, these options will allow you to be rid of iBoot as a boot crutch.

ATI Graphics

NVIDIA Graphics

Good luck, and see you on the forum!

-tonymacx86 & MacMan

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!

Building a CustoMac: Three Updated LGA 1156 Builds for OS X

By request, here are three updated builds, based on the original CustoMac post from June 2010.  These builds are our most current 1156 recommendations for fully compatible budget builds running Mac OS X as the primary operating system.  

All three builds include:

• Gigabyte LGA 1156 Motherboard
• Intel Core i-series Quad-Core CPU
• 4GB or 8GB of RAM, expandable up to 16GB
• 1 TB Hard Drive
• CD/DVD Burner
• Case and Power Supply
• Mac OS X Snow Leopard Retail DVD

We've included all components besides monitor, as any standard monitor will do.  You can use these recommendations as a jumping off point for further customization, or as a shopping list.  Prices reflect those as of February 2011, and do not include shipping or tax. 

Budget Power Build 1

Core i5-760 / Gigabyte GA-H55M-UD2H / GeForce GT 240 / 4GB DDR3 RAM

$683.88

Motherboard:  GA-H55M-UD2H $94.99

Graphics Card: EVGA GeForce GT 240 Superclocked 512MB $64.99

CPU: Intel Core i5-760 2.8 GHz $209.99

RAM: Corsair XMS3 4 GB Dual Channel DDR3 Core i3, i5, i7 Memory Kit $79.99

Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint 1 TB $62.99

CD/DVD Burner: Sony Optiarc Black $36.95

Case: COOLER MASTER Elite 341 $39.99

Power Supply: Antec 550W Continuous Power $64.99

Operating System: Mac OS X Snow Leopard $29.00

Budget Power Build 2

Core i7-870 / Gigabyte GA-H55M-UD2H / Radeon HD 5770 / 4GB DDR3 RAM

$991.23

Motherboard:  GA-H55M-UD2H $94.99

Graphics: Gigabyte ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB GDDR5 $139.99

CPU: Intel Core i7-870 2.93 GHz $289.99

RAM: Corsair XMS3 4 GB Dual Channel DDR3 Core i3, i5, i7 Memory Kit $79.99

Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint 1 TB $62.99

CD/DVD Burner: Sony Optiarc Black $36.95

CPU Cooler: Scythe Mugen 2 $47.35

Case: COOLER MASTER II ATX Mid Tower $89.99

Power Supply: Corsair 650HX Modular 650W $119.99

Operating System: Mac OS X Snow Leopard $29.00

Budget Power Build 3

Core i7-870 / Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3 / Radeon HD 5870 / 8GB DDR3 RAM

 $1211.41

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3 $130.22

Graphics: Diamond ATI Radeon HD 5870 1GB $234.99

CPU: Intel Core i7-870 2.93 GHz $289.99

RAM: Corsair XMS3 4 GB Dual Channel DDR3 Core i3, i5, i7 Memory Kit x2 (8GB)  $159.98

Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint 1 TB $62.95

CD/DVD Burner: Sony Optiarc Black $36.95

CPU Cooler: Scythe Mugen 2 $47.35

Case: Antec 900 $99.99

Power Supply: Corsair 650HX Modular 650W $119.99

Operating System: Mac OS X Snow Leopard $29.00

Optional Accessories

Apple Wired Keyboard with Number Pad $49.99

Apple Wireless Keyboard $69.00

Apple Magic Mouse  $69.00

Apple Magic Trackpad $69.00

Targus USB Bluetooth Adapter $22.98

NOTE: Only MODEL NO: ACB10us v1.0 will wake from sleep.

Oh, and don't forget, if you end up buying anything, click through one of the links above, or in the sidebar.  That way, you'll be supporting the site, as well as getting the best prices.  Thanks in advance!   

-tonymacx86 & MacMan

Related Posts: 

Building a CustoMac: CustoMac Pro 2010

Building a CustoMac: CustoMac Mini

Building a CustoMac: 3 Complete LGA 1156 Builds for OS X

For discussions on this and other topics, register today at tonymacx86.com!