Windows 7 + High Sierra First Build

[gilmor]

Hi Folks,
Been reading here for the last few weeks. What a great forum!

This is my first Hackintosh build. I’m hoping for a smoothish installation and driver support for both Windows 7 and High Sierra.
I’m not set on any of the components so if you have recommendations I’d love to hear them.

My goal is a simple, stable, Dual OS machine for software development. Ideally no upgrades in the next 5 years.
Little to no games, no OC and very basic Photoshop work.
$1500 budget (currently at 1200)

Parts:

CPU - i7 6700 non K - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0136JONG8/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Mother Board - GIGABYTE GA-Z270M-D3H - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9IGECC/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Case - Cooler Master N200 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CUZP0SU/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

GPU - MSI RX 560 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072J422CZ/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Memory - Ballistix Sport LT 16GB Kit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJ1MDN7/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

SSD - Samsung 850 EVO 500GB X2 (one for Windows 7 one for High Sierra) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OBRE5UE/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

HDD - Seagate 2TB 7200RPM ( For Time Machine)- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IEKG402/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

PSU - EVGA 500 W1, 80+ WHITE 500W - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H33SFJU/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Wifi - TP-Link AC1300 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016K0896K/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Gilmor

 

[trs96]

For 20 USD more you can get the 7700K. Even if you don't overclock it's base clock is higher and it performs better. If 5 years from now you do need to overclock it's still an option for you as you have a Z270 motherboard. Worth 20 bucks more imo.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXSI216/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

I would also spend more for a better PSU. You could get this EVGA gold rated PSU for $65 at Amazon. Saves electricity that pays for the small amount of extra $ you pay up front. Extra long warranty helps too if you plan to use this build 5+ years. You'll also like that it's modular, less cable clutter in your case.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K85X2AW/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

 

[Jamesbond007]

For 20 USD more you can get the 7700K. Even if you don't overclock it's base clock is higher and it performs better. If 5 years from now you do need to overclock it's still an option for you as you have a Z270 motherboard. Worth 20 bucks more imo.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXSI216/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

I would also spend more for a better PSU. You could get this EVGA gold rated PSU for $65 at Amazon. Saves electricity that pays for the small amount of extra $ you pay up front. Extra long warranty helps too if you plan to use this build 5+ years. You'll also like that it's modular, less cable clutter in your case.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K85X2AW/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Intel and Microsoft do not support using Windows 7 with Kaby Lake processors. So I would recommend the OP to stay with the 6700 (or may be change to a 6700K).

 

[trs96]

Intel and Microsoft do not support using Windows 7 with Kaby Lake processors. So I would recommend the OP to stay with the 6700 (or may be change to a 6700K).

Yes, I know. That was very nasty of MS to do that. There is a simple patch that will allow Kaby Lake systems to update Win7.
https://github.com/zeffy/wufuc

Another way around this is to run Win7 in a VM within a Windows 10 install.

 

[gilmor]

For 20 USD more you can get the 7700K. Even if you don't overclock it's base clock is higher and it performs better. If 5 years from now you do need to overclock it's still an option for you as you have a Z270 motherboard. Worth 20 bucks more imo.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXSI216/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

I would also spend more for a better PSU. You could get this EVGA gold rated PSU for $65 at Amazon. Saves electricity that pays for the small amount of extra $ you pay up front. Extra long warranty helps too if you plan to use this build 5+ years. You'll also like that it's modular, less cable clutter in your case.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K85X2AW/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Good point! I think the mATX case should be big enough for the SuperNova and I like the idea of modular.

Regarding the 7700k - Like JamesBond007 said - I assumed the 7 series is not supported.
Thanks for sharing that patch, I didn't know it was even an option.
In your opinion, would Microsoft catch on or is it a safe enough bet long term?
I'd love to get the 7700k if I could.

 

[trs96]

Good point! I think the mATX case should be big enough for the SuperNova and I like the idea of modular.

Regarding the 7700k - Like JamesBond007 said - I assumed the 7 series is not supported.
Thanks for sharing that patch, I didn't know it was even an option.
In your opinion, would Microsoft catch on or is it a safe enough bet long term?
I'd love to get the 7700k if I could.

Here's what the author of the patch says:

• Byte pattern-based patching, which means it will usually keep working even after new updates come out.
• Absolutely zero dependencies.

The majority of Windows users have no clue that there is even a remote chance of installing and updating Win7 on new Kaby Lake hardware. You are a developer and didn't know. So I don't think MS is going to do anything about this patch. I cannot of course, predict what they will do in the future.

If MS does find some way to stop this from working there are always inexpensive pre-built Ivy Bridge or Haswell desktops that still receive Win7 updates. You could keep macOS and Windows completely separated the way they were meant to be. See the info about the HP 8300 USFF here: https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...cos-sierra-i5-3470-gt640.224812/#post-1526635 most of these come with Win 7 Pro pre-installed. A quad core Ivy Bridge i5 CPU with HD4000 graphics would easily get the job done (i5-3475S). They sell for around $150 on Ebay.

 

[gilmor]

Here's what the author of the patch says:

• Byte pattern-based patching, which means it will usually keep working even after new updates come out.
• Absolutely zero dependencies.

The majority of Windows users have no clue that there is even a remote chance of installing and updating Win7 on new Kaby Lake hardware. You are a developer and didn't know. So I don't think MS is going to do anything about this patch. I cannot of course, predict what they will do in the future.

If MS does find some way to stop this from working there are always inexpensive pre-built Ivy Bridge or Haswell desktops that still receive Win7 updates. You could keep macOS and Windows completely separated the way they were meant to be. See the info about the HP 8300 USFF here: https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...cos-sierra-i5-3470-gt640.224812/#post-1526635 most of these come with Win 7 Pro pre-installed. A quad core Ivy Bridge i5 CPU with HD4000 graphics would easily get the job done (i5-3475S). They sell for around $150 on Ebay.

Ok. I'm convinced. Now to find a heatsink... Thanks again!

 

[gilmor]

I'm thinking 212 EVO for the cooler. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005O65JXI/?tag=tonymacx86com-20
It seems popular, it's a a tight fit but I think it should work.