Virtualization Hakintosh build

[duxhomines]

Hi all.  I have recently decided to build a cheap server that is able to backup all my computers, and stream windows media content to various devices.  Although, the majority of the computers in my household are now macs.  The only solution I have found is to run a Hakintosh machine (Mountain Lion server for backups) with parallels running windows 7 (for windows media center).  I plan to have a 4770k (when it comes out) paired with 16gb of 1600MHz ram.  There will be a dedicated HD for each operating systems as well as various other HD for storage.  Would this machine be underpowered for the task? Or, do I need to find a totally different solution?  

[extremescouter]

I might suggest going for even as much as 32gb of RAM, as virtualization processes use a ton of RAM. Also, the 4770k will not have compatibility with OSX for awhile. The newest core i7 products probably wont have compatibility until Apple themselves start putting them in their computers. So, if you are in a time crunch, go for the 3770k, or maybe just build it, and then wait for the hackintosh compatibility. 

[duxhomines]

I might suggest going for even as much as 32gb of RAM, as virtualization processes use a ton of RAM. Also, the 4770k will not have compatibility with OSX for awhile. The newest core i7 products probably wont have compatibility until Apple themselves start putting them in their computers. So, if you are in a time crunch, go for the 3770k, or maybe just build it, and then wait for the hackintosh compatibility. 

Thank you, and I think that I will end up waiting.  I want the system to be somewhat future proof and Haswell is right around the corner.

[tito]

Is there any motive why you dont use Mountain Lion, instead of running a VM to run Windows?

[duxhomines]

Is there any motive why you dont use Mountain Lion, instead of running a VM to run Windows?

I will be using Mountain Lion as the main OS, while the VM is just for windows media center.

[Cosmos_i7]

 

I don't know how the media centre works or server but if most of the computers in the household are macs then you could just use one of them as a server running Mac OS mountain lion server, from the Mac app store. Then connect some external drives for more storage? It would be a cheaper option, plus Mac OS is more compatible with Windows than the other way around, like its easier to use a mac for windows files than windows for mac files as mac is more compatible with windows files.

 

Thats just my suggestion, or if you want to build a hackintosh your best choice is to wait a bit till compatibility arrives for Haswell and check out Tony Mac X86 for build guides.

Hope this helps.

[tito]

I will be using Mountain Lion as the main OS, while the VM is just for windows media center.

I meant if theres any reason why you dont wanna use mountain lion for media playback.

[duxhomines]

I meant if theres any reason why you dont wanna use mountain lion for media playback.

I have attempted to find a working equivalent to WMC, but the all the other options seem clunky and temperamental. The best I have used was eyetv, which was not as easy to use as WMC.