2nd Opinion - Hardware

[rob2412]

I am new to this forum and want to take up a Hackintosh project. I would appreciate if someone could take a look on my requirements and selected hardware before I press the order button.

My Requirements
Built based on proven hardware
ITX or mATX form factor, to keep things reasonable small
Run iamge and video editing software

Hardware
Mobo: GIGABYTE Z390 I AORUS PRO WIFI
CPU: i9-9900K
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-C14S
GPU: GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5700 XT
RAM: Corsair DIMM 64 GB DDR4-3200 Kit
Power: Corsair SF450 450W SFX
WiFi/BT: M.2 NGFF WLAN BCM94360NG
WiFi/BT Adapter: LeHang BCM94360CD
Other: SSD, Case, Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor

Any suggestion for modifications welcome.

 

[pastrychef]

Be aware that the slot for Wi-Fi/Bluetooth can only be used with the included Wi-Fi/Bluetooth card. That means you won't be able to swap it out for the BCM94360NG.

Since that motherboard is an ITX motherboard, it only has one PCI-e slot. That means if you install the RX 5700 XT, you won't be able to install the LeHang adaptor.

Otherwise, everything looks cool.

 

[rob2412]

pastrychef, thank for your quick response.

The idea is to remove the original WiFi/BT card. There are apparently two M2 Slots. The one on the bottom I would like to stick in a SSD and the one on the top to stick in the BCM94360CD adapter with the BCM94360NG WiFi Card. And yes, the antenna cables need to be replaced with a bit longer ones. I saw this built in a YT video which I cannot find anymore. The guy got it to work with WiFi, iMessage, etc. without any problems (Clover built).

I am aware of the single expansion slot. However, apart from a graphics card I am not expecting anything else.

 

[pastrychef]

pastrychef, thank for your quick response.

The idea is to remove the original WiFi/BT card. There are apparently two M2 Slots. The one on the bottom I would like to stick in a SSD and the one on the top to stick in the BCM94360CD adapter with the BCM94360NG WiFi Card. And yes, the antenna cables need to be replaced with a bit longer ones. I saw this built in a YT video which I cannot find anymore. The guy got it to work with WiFi, iMessage, etc. without any problems (Clover built).

I am aware of the single expansion slot. However, apart from a graphics card I am not expecting anything else.

Yes, you can use one of the M.2 M-key slots for Wi-Fi/Bluetooth.

 

[louiefriesen]

I am new to this forum and want to take up a Hackintosh project. I would appreciate if someone could take a look on my requirements and selected hardware before I press the order button.

My Requirements
Built based on proven hardware
ITX or mATX form factor, to keep things reasonable small
Run iamge and video editing software

Hardware
Mobo: GIGABYTE Z390 I AORUS PRO WIFI
CPU: i9-9900K
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-C14S
GPU: GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5700 XT
RAM: Corsair DIMM 64 GB DDR4-3200 Kit
Power: Corsair SF450 450W SFX
WiFi/BT: M.2 NGFF WLAN BCM94360NG
WiFi/BT Adapter: LeHang BCM94360CD
Other: SSD, Case, Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor

Any suggestion for modifications welcome.

CPU & Mobo: I'd recommend going 10th gen, like a 10700K (really just a 9900K with a different socket) or 10900K, and a Z490 mATX motherboard (so you have an extra slot for a PCIe WiFi & BT card), like the ROG Strix Z490-G or Prime Z490M-Plus, and for the WiFi & BT either the Fenvi FV-T919 or the YOUBO (if you want to be confident of not sleeping/waking issues).


Just curious if the RAM you are getting is Vengeance LPX

GPU: Good, although there are some better 5700 XT's (like the ROG Strix and NITRO+).

Power Supply: Okay, I'd recommend a higher wattage one, like 550W. Good ones are the EVGA SuperNOVA GM series and the Corsair SF series. Also if you choose a mini tower, then I'd go for an SFX-L unit like the Fractal Design Ion SFX or the Seasonic FOCUS SGX. Also, since I'm recommending mATX, then you probably get an ATX PSU, like the Seasonic FOCUS GX, EVGA SuperNOVA G5, or Corsair RMx.

SSD: If you want a faster SSD and can afford it, I'd recommend the WD Black SN750, or if you want a bit more performance for some more $$$ you could get the Samsung 970 EVO Plus. If you want faster speeds, but don't need 3000+MBit/s, then the WD Blue SN550 is also pretty good (~2000MBit/s). If you want to save a bit more money, then you could get a SATA SSD (I'd recommend M.2 for easier cable management, but it doesn't matter much), then I'd recommend WD Blue or Samsung 860 EVO.

Case: I'd recommend something like the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv mATX, Fractal Design Meshify C Mini, Fractal Design Define C Mini, MetalicGear Neo Mini V2 or Corsair Crystal 280X.

Keyboard & mouse: You'll probably find something from Logitech G, Corsair or Steelseries that you like and is good quality.

Monitor: Since you are doing video and photo editing, then I'd recommend a 4K monitor, if you can afford one. I've got a 27" LG one which I really like and would recommend (there is also a 32" version).

 

[rob2412]

louiefriesen, thanx for taking the time to review my initial post.

I slightly modified my shopping list, ordered the parts, made the installation and I can report success.

Hardware
Mobo: GIGABYTE Z390 I AORUS PRO WIFI
CPU: i9-9900K
CPU Cooler: Arctic Liquid Freezer II 280
GPU: GIGABYTE Radeon RX 5700 XT
RAM: 2x 32GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3200
Power: Corsair RM650
WiFi/BT: M.2 NGFF WLAN BCM94360NG
WiFi/BT Adapter: LeHang BCM94360CD
SSD: 2TB M2 Corsair MP510
Case: MetallicGear ITX Neo Mini V2
Monitor: BenQ PD2700U
Keyboard: Matias FK418BTLB
Mouse: Apple Magic Mouse 2

I made a Catalina install with OpenCore 0.6.3. Everything works apart from WiFi/BT. The SSD is sitting in the top M2 slot and the WiFi/BT Adapter in the bottom M2 slot (obviously I removed the Intel WiFi/BT card). I was told to swap SSD and WiFi/BT Adapter slots then it should work. That's what I am doing today. Done, swapped the M2 slots and now everything works.

 

[sandino]

The idea is to remove the original WiFi/BT card

@rob2412 Thanks for sharing your build.

But why did you replace the original WiFi/BT card?

 

[rob2412]

@rob2412 Thanks for sharing your build.

But why did you replace the original WiFi/BT card?

As said above, I am not an expert. I was told that the Intel card won't support iMessage and AirDrop. Therefore, I followed a recommendation to install the native Apple card. I cannot prove if it works with the Intel card, I only can tell my setup works as it should work.

Any expert advice is welcomed to get the Intel 9560NGW card up and running with OpenCore 0.6.3.