- Joined
- Aug 9, 2015
- Messages
- 5
- Motherboard
- ASRock Z370M Pro4
- CPU
- i3-8100
- Graphics
- UHD630
Powerful Mac Mini
ASRock Z370M Pro4 | i3-8100 | DDR4 8G | M.2 SSD | High Sierra
ASRock Z370M Pro4 | i3-8100 | DDR4 8G | M.2 SSD | High Sierra
Components
Motherboard: ASRock Z370M Pro4
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157793
CPU: i3-8100 (Coffee Lake)
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117822
GPU: UHD630 (Integrated in i3-8100)
RAM: ADATA DDR4 2400MHz 8G * 1
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAD7H5XV5883
Storage: HP EX900 M.2 NVMe 250G * 1
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4RE70Z8681
LAN: Intel I219V (on-board)
WLAN: BCM94360 (available on ebay)
Audio: Realtek ALC892 (on-board)
OS: High Sierra
Comments
I build this custom mac for iOS development purpose. Two important consideration, low price and good performance. I will explain reasons for me to choose these components.
1. Intel 8th Gen CPU: up-to-date, higher performance, better comparability, cheaper (i3-8100 compared to i5-7500)
2. Motherboard: ASRock Z370M Pro4 supports 8th Gen CPU, DDR4, M.2, and without WLAN module. I need to relatively cheap but supports new features since they provide better performance.
3. RAM: DDR4 is a must for better performance. ADATA has lower price.
4. Storage: M.2 is the trend of SSD, much faster speed. HP EX900 is, again, cheaper.
5. WLAN: BCM94360 is native supported device. Better stability, stronger functionality (Handoff, continuity, bluetooth, etc.)
Summary
1. Display:
1080P output: OK
GFX(Metal Support, acceleration): OK
2. Internet:
LAN: OK
WiFi: OK
Bluetooth: OK
3. Audio:
3.5mm output: OK
HDMI audio: OK (without volume and balance control)
4. Other:
TRIM: OK
CPU PM: seems OK, please see Screenshots part
Doesn't Work:
1. Front panel audio
2. VGA
3. THE USB3.0 port (rare) above USB Type-C port. I encountered some issues when I tried to use this port. But for other USB3.0 ports, no problem
Installation
1. USB stick, BIOS settings same as Installation Guide https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...ierra-on-any-supported-intel-based-pc.235474/
2. MultiBeast configuration: (Refer to Installation Guide https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...ierra-on-any-supported-intel-based-pc.235474/)
(a) Quick Start -> UEFI Boot Mode
(b) Drivers -> Audio -> Optional 3 Port (5.1) Audio + 200/300 Series /X299 Audio Device ID Patch
(c) Drivers -> Network -> IntelMausiEthernet v2.3.0
(d) Customize -> Graphics Configuration -> Intel HD 6XX + Intel Graphics Fixup
3. Enable HD630 acceleration, please refer to https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/how-to-enable-kaby-lake-intel-6xx-graphics-10-12-6.225282/
4. HDMI Audio, please refer to https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/applehda-hdmi-audio-guide.234735/
5. In config.plist, remove boot flag
Code:
-disablegfxfirmware6. MultiBeast sometimes failed to install Lilu.kext and IntelGraphicsFixup.kext If you failed to get GFX working, try to install these two kexts using Kext Wizard.
Screenshots
System Info
SSD TRIM support
HDMI Audio
CPU Power Management
BlackMagic Benchmark
BlackMagic Benchmark
config.plist and EFI are attached.
Thanks to everyone here, whose contribution leads to my success build.
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