What do you do when you've built a hackintosh sufficiently powerful enough to last the next 10 years?

[macs_forever]

My 12 core Mac Pro Classic has lasted 10 years and is still more than sufficient. It will likely be a great computer until it dies and can't be repaired. My best Hackintosh to date is an X299 with the 18 core i9-7980xe. I needed that power in my last job. I don't for-see needed that much power again for work unless I go into business for myself.

For personal use, This computer is overkill but I am learning that I just can't bare to part with it. As advances in computing power have slowed considerably in recent years, I strongly suspect this computer to last for another 10 years or more.

I like building hackintoshes but I am running out of family that needs them. Where do I go from here? Do I just stop?

 

[UtterDisbelief]

My 12 core Mac Pro Classic has lasted 10 years and is still more than sufficient. It will likely be a great computer until it dies and can't be repaired. My best Hackintosh to date is an X299 with the 18 core i9-7980xe. I needed that power in my last job. I don't for-see needed that much power again for work unless I go into business for myself.

For personal use, This computer is overkill but I am learning that I just can't bare to part with it. As advances in computing power have slowed considerably in recent years, I strongly suspect this computer to last for another 10 years or more.

I like building hackintoshes but I am running out of family that needs them. Where do I go from here? Do I just stop?

Ah, that's when building the machines becomes as much of a hobby as a necessity - perfectly acceptable. As my wife says: "At least I know where he is!" And given your reply here - I think you are into the enjoyment side of things too

Having such a superb machine to hand must be like owning a Ferrari - it's overkill if all you do is nip down to the shops for some milk in it - but it makes the journey more enjoyable

 

[macs_forever]

Touchè! One of my favorite features is the blower (WiFi/Bluetooth) sticking up through the hood just like an old hotrod.

 

[wstrohm]

Have built 4 computers (all possible due to tonymacx86.com) over the last five years (see below)... motivated mostly by desiring to keep up with the system requirements of latest video games. (My stolen avatar at left says "Eye fell 4 Cyan Worlds.") Gave away the 6th-gen but use the 4th (upstairs), 8th (under my monitor shelf) and 9th just to my left, using it now. Also have an early-2005 dual-CPU 2.7 GHz PowerMac G5 upstairs in working order.

But for some reason building them and maintaining them seems to be more rewarding than actually using them. Why is that?

 

[macs_forever]

Have built 4 computers (all possible due to tonymacx86.com) over the last five years (see below)... motivated mostly by desiring to keep up with the system requirements of latest video games. (My stolen avatar at left says "Eye fell 4 Cyan Worlds.") Gave away the 6th-gen but use the 4th (upstairs), 8th (under my monitor shelf) and 9th just to my left, using it now. Also have an early-2005 dual-CPU 2.7 GHz PowerMac G5 upstairs in working order.

But for some reason building them and maintaining them seems to be more rewarding than actually using them. Why is that?

I am in the same boat. I picked up a Gigabyte Z370XP SLI motherboard for $99 last month because it was a good deal. Now it is a working Hackintosh, but I didn't need another one. My wife is beginning to question my sanity. So far I've built:

Gigabyte Z68 MATX -- Gave it to my son
Gigabyte Z86 MATX -- Built for cousin 1
Gigabite Z78 MITX -- Gave it to cousin 2
Gigabyte Z170 -- Gave it to my daughter
Gigabyte X299 -- My primary server
ASRock Z370 MITX -- Gave it to my son
ASRock Z370 MITX -- Gave it to my father
ASRock Z370 MITX -- Kept it as a portable gamer rig
Gigabyte Z370 ATX -- Not sure why

This doesn't include:
2009 cMP 12 core -- Mine
2015 13" MBA -- Wife
2015 15" MBP -- Mine
2015 13" MBA -- Cousin 3
2013 11" MBA -- Cousin 4
2013 11" MBA -- Son
2012 15" MBP -- Daughter
2009 11" MBA -- Son in law

After writing this all down. I am questioning my own sanity...

I'm thinking I need to buckle down and get debt free in preparation for retirement.

 

[wstrohm]

Ha! Had bought and given a new 2013 13" MBA to grandson, only to have him drop it in his bathtub. Retrieved it, replaced the logic board, upgraded the NVMe SSD from the original 128 GB to a 480 GB, and kept the thing. But it's now sitting in a closet.

 

[pastrychef]

My 12 core Mac Pro Classic has lasted 10 years and is still more than sufficient. It will likely be a great computer until it dies and can't be repaired. My best Hackintosh to date is an X299 with the 18 core i9-7980xe. I needed that power in my last job. I don't for-see needed that much power again for work unless I go into business for myself.

For personal use, This computer is overkill but I am learning that I just can't bare to part with it. As advances in computing power have slowed considerably in recent years, I strongly suspect this computer to last for another 10 years or more.

I like building hackintoshes but I am running out of family that needs them. Where do I go from here? Do I just stop?

I can completely relate to this. Lol

My current i9-9900K build is a heckuva lot more computer than I'm going to need for a long time and I've put together more hacks than I have room in my home for. So, recently, I've taken to fine tuning little aspects of my build such as cooling. I've changed my computer case to one that uses a larger fan that has helped cool the internals noticeably better.

On my Dell Optiplex Clunker build, I've taking to trying to figure out how to jury-rig an external power supply to supplement the stock power supply so that beefier graphics cards can be used.

Also, if you are looking for a bit of a challenge, you can always pick up laptop to try and hack. Laptops can be considerably trickier to hack and may prove to be a fun learning experience.

Lastly, you can start getting acquainted with OpenCore...

But for some reason building them and maintaining them seems to be more rewarding than actually using them. Why is that?

I don't have an answer for this, but I can tell you that you are not alone in feeling this way.

 

[UtterDisbelief]

... recently, I've taken to fine tuning little aspects of my build such as cooling. I've changed my computer case to one that uses a larger fan that has helped cool the internals noticeably better ...

Yes, that's been a prime motivator for me over the years. Quiet and cool. I remember the noise old PCs used to make, especially in comparison with Macs. When I set out Hackintoshing I added the goals of quality and quietness to the general build. One reason I spend way too much on flashy cases and expensive fans I guess. My present mod is to replace the PSU for a newer, Gold+ version with clever internal cooling set up and silent mode.

Hopefully this will make the computer long-lasting, though to be honest, going on past form I'll probably have moved on by about 20 builds in the next 10-years!

... for some reason building them and maintaining them seems to be more rewarding than actually using them. Why is that?

Yes, it's that enjoying the journey rather than finally arriving thing, isn't it?

 

[pastrychef]

Yes, that's been a prime motivator for me over the years. Quiet and cool. I remember the noise old PCs used to make, especially in comparison with Macs. When I set out Hackintoshing I added the goals of quality and quietness to the general build. One reason I spend way too much on flashy cases and expensive fans I guess. My present mod is to replace the PSU for a newer, Gold+ version with clever internal cooling set up and silent mode.

Hopefully this will make the computer long-lasting, though to be honest, going on past form I'll probably have moved on by about 20 builds in the next 10-years!



Yes, it's that enjoying the journey rather than finally arriving thing, isn't it?

Check out some of the offerings from Seasonic. They have some completely fanless power supplies now.

 

[macs_forever]

Check out some of the offerings from Seasonic. They have some completely fanless power supplies now.

My Corsair H1000i power supply is the quietest I have ever owned. The fan NEVER runs. I'm not exaggerating... The only time I see it spin is the self test when it starts up. 2 reasons - It's too big for the X299 setup. Most of the case fans are setup as inflow and some case air goes through the power supply because it has no where else to go.