Dell Optiplex 7020/9020 using OpenCore + Intel HD4600 or AMD graphics

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Dell Optiplex 7020/9020 OpenCore Guide

The original Dell OptiMac Golden Build guide was posted 3 years ago in May 2019. Mojave was the latest macOS version then. I didn't think we would have Monterey support in 2022 but we've found that these models are still fully supported, hence this updated guide. I'd like to thank all in the tonymacx86 community that have contributed their insights and research on these Dell Optiplex desktops over the past three years. Special thanks to the Acidanthera team that makes OpenCore and has kept the kexts and drivers up to date so that these continue to work superbly as a hackintosh.

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This guide works for both Big Sur and Monterey. Use the provided EFI folder attached below. This doesn't mean you can skip any of the steps previous to the step 5 install. Follow them all in sequence. For Example, the SmUUID info must be added to your config.plist before you can boot from the USB installer. If you don't enter that first, you'll get a black screen instead of the OpenCore boot menu. If your Optiplex came with Windows 10 pre-installed, do not erase it. You will be using Windows 10 in Steps one and two. You can overwrite it when you get to step 5.

*Important Note* This guide will not work with the Dell Optiplex 3020(M) / 9020M micro PC or the 9020 AIO.

It is intended only for the 9020 USFF, 7020/9020 Small Form Factor (SFF) and the 7020/9020 Mini-Tower (MT) Dell Optiplex models that utilize an Intel Core i5 or i7 CPU. Buy one of these five options to have success with this guide.

Here's why you shouldn't install Ventura when using HD4600 as primary graphics: Click here to learn why

If you will be using HD4600 as your primary graphics, first check whether Intel ME is enabled. Open up the side panel and on the inner side of it, you'll find a white (or yellow) sticker attached there. It should display a large 1 (enabled).

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If it is a 3 or a 6 then you need to return or replace your Dell. Those numbers indicate Intel ME was disabled at the factory. The iGPU won't work properly unless Intel ME is enabled. It will work in Windows but not in macOS.

AMT is an Intel remote management feature you will most likely never need, even though it will be available if you see a 1. Make sure to change the ME Bios Extension default password to something secure. Change MEBX Password

For those brand new to creating a hackintosh. You'll need to learn the basic terminology to understand this guide. Read and study these terms before you get started. https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/learning-the-hackintosh-four-letter-words.273877/

A property list editor is required to complete this guide. I highly suggest using PlistEdit Pro. It has a free one month trial. Make sure to purchase it for use after the trial period has ended. Every hackintosh needs to have this for regular maintenance. I use it on a frequent basis and it makes the editing super easy. Text editors will corrupt the plist. Don't try to use one.

PlistEdit Pro - Advanced Mac plist and JSON editor

www.fatcatsoftware.com

Click More Info for a detailed description of each step of the process. Keep this page open in it's own browser tab as you complete the guide. See Post #2 for the suggested BIOS changes to make after the BIOS flash is complete. There is also more there to read related to steps 2 through 6 of this guide. Make sure to read all the way through.

Highly Suggested Preliminary Steps : Hardware Preparation

Seven Steps -- Required to Run macOS on your Dell Optiplex

Step 1. Flash the BIOS appropriate for your Dell Optiplex model -- More Info

Step 2. Generate your SystemUUID and add it to the config.plist --- More Info

Step 3. Unlock CFG and Increase the DVMT Pre-Allocation to 64MB -- More Info

Step 4. Download Big Sur/Monterey and then make the USB installer -- More Info

Step 5. Install macOS, then remove boot-args once it boots normally ---- More Info

Step 6. Finalize all your Serials and the SmUUID by using GenSMBIOS ---- More Info

Step 7. Make a bootable backup of your drive (Step 11 of CaseySJ's guide) - More Info

What Works and What Doesn't
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When using HD4600 graphics, everything works except for onboard DP/HDMI audio. Use a set of good PC speakers or headphones via the built in audio jacks. Speakers built in to any TV or monitor are always the worst choice in my opinion. Don't use them. The internal speaker is disabled when using audio layout id 13. If you want to enable it, use a different audio layout id such as 17. The HDMI audio is enabled if using a supported AMD card like the RX 460/560 or other Polaris based cards. Use one if you have a home theater receiver and use your HDMI ARC port on the TV.

Sleep/Wake works normally when using the HD4600 iGPU only. When using an AMD graphics card you'll need to disable sleep completely. Waking from sleep when using an AMD card will lead to a black screen and possibly glitchy graphics output. You won't see a complete desktop on your screen, just a small square portion of it. No known fix for this problem. Some 4K (and other) televisions will have a wake from sleep problem. My TCL 43" 4K does. The OC bootloader screen on a 4K TV will look distorted when using the EFI provided.

For hardware upgrades, including supported Wifi/BT cards, see the Golden Build Guide

If you will be using the Intel HD4600 iGPU only, then use the Macmini7,1 EFI. The OC 0.8.5 version has all the latest kexts and drivers. The 0.8.0 version will also work and remain for reference.

If you plan on using an AMD GPU with Monterey support, you can also use Macmini7,1. Say you've got an AMD RX560 or 570 graphics card. Delete disable-external-gpu from your config.plist (with PlistEdit Pro) then save it. Shut down, install the card, boot into BIOS, uncheck Enable Legacy Option ROMs. Save changes and boot into macOS.

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I've attached the EFI Agent app by Headkaze. You will use that to mount the EFI partition of your USB installer in Step 4 of this guide. It's also needed post install (Step 6) to move the EFI folder to the EFI partition of your System drive.

 

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Step 1.

Recommended BIOS settings

Load Dell Factory Defaults after you've flashed the BIOS and before you make any other changes to it.

There is a "Load Defaults" tab in the lower central part of the window. Click on that and then click OK. Now exit and enter the BIOS again via the F2 key and make some changes to it.

If you are using a television as a monitor and the HD4600 iGPU, it may be necessary to disable Legacy Option ROMs. On some TVs when I have Legacy Option ROMs enabled my OptiMac won't boot. Change it under Advanced Boot Options as shown below. Also disable them if using an AMD graphics card.

Summary of BIOS Setting Changes

Spoiler: Click to See All BIOS Setting Changes

General

• Boot Sequence -> Boot List Option -> UEFI
• Advanced Boot Options -> check mark - Enable Legacy Option ROMs
• AMD graphics cards require disabling Legacy Option ROMs

System Configuration

• Integrated NIC -> Enabled
• Serial Port -> Disabled
• Sata Operation -> AHCI

Video

• Primary Display -> Auto (For HD4600 or Dedicated GPU)

Secure Boot

• Secure Boot Enable -> Disabled

Virtualization Support

• VT for Direct I/O -> Disabled

The Optiplex 9020 manual is attached below as a PDF. That contains details about all BIOS options and troubleshooting.

Note: If using an Nvidia Quadro or other supported Kepler card with Big Sur, no changes to the BIOS (different from above changes) need to be made. If using a supported AMD card, then Legacy Option ROMs should be unchecked (disabled). A few say that their AMD cards work with Legacy Option ROMs enabled, mine never have.

If you already have Windows 10 installed on your Optiplex, you can now boot to the desktop for Step 2. Then you'll generate the SystemUUID with OCAT which is an acronym for "OpenCore Auxiliary Tools."

Step 2.

When you have no access to a Mac or Hackintosh
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Preamble: It's many times easier to perform steps 2 and 4 on a real Mac or working hackintosh. If you can't access either of those, the next best option is to use Windows 10 and make an online Catalina USB installer. If you do use Windows, then you don't have to complete Steps 2,3,4 of this guide. Catalina doesn't require them. Steps 2 and 3 will be required later on, before you upgrade to Big Sur or Monterey.

Spoiler: Use this procedure on a Windows PC if you have no Mac

Follow my OpenCore USB installer guide and replace the EFI that creates with the 0.6.9 EFI attached below. Extract just the EFI folder to the desktop first. Don't make any changes to it. Then copy/paste it to the USB installer. You will already have a working EFI folder and the USB ports kext in that EFI folder. Use Catalina for the install and then upgrade to Big Sur or Monterey later on. That's when you will use the OpenCore 0.8.0 EFI folder attached to post #1. Copy and paste it to your SSD's EFI partition after you've generated serials and the SmUUID for the config.plist.

Follow these steps if using a Mac/Hack to create the USB installer
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Your config.plist will have a blank entry for the SmUUID. What is a SystemUUID (SmUUID) ? Apple calls this a Hardware UUID. You can find it for any Mac in System Report. The one pictured below has been shortened for security reasons.

A UUID (Universally Unique Identifier) is a string of letters and digits that forms a unique pattern. Every Mac has one hardware UUID that no other device shares. It’s similar to a serial number in that regard. You need to generate your own custom SmUUID for your hackintosh hardware.

Since you won't be installing macOS until step five, it would be best to use Windows to generate the SmUUID for the config.plist so that you can successfully boot from the USB installer. You want to use the same hardware that you will be installing macOS to later in the guide. In this case it's PC hardware that you'll generate the SmUUID on.

Use OCAT for Windows. It's much simpler to use that in Windows than to install Python and use GenSMBIOS to generate the SmUUID you'll need. If you already have a good SmUUID from a previous macOS install on this Dell, you can copy/paste that into your Monterey config.plist. Use PlistEdit Pro app to modify the given config.plist. Link to the App

(Win64.zip should be used) https://github.com/ic005k/OCAuxiliaryTools/releases/tag/20220207

First extract the Win64.zip file to a folder in downloads. Then double click on the OCAT application.

You may need to right click on OCAT and then "Run as Administrator" to open the app.

Next select file from the OCAT menu bar and then open up your EFI folder's config.plist.

Now you'll need to select the Platform Info tab (PI) from the OCAT sidebar and then generate your SmUUID.

It will automatically be added to your config.plist. Make sure to click the blue Save button when closing OCAT.

You will then put your EFI folder on the EFI partition of your USB drive in the next step of this guide. That lets you boot into modGRUBShell.efi in step 3 to change the hidden UEFI settings.

If you don't have Windows installed but have another working hack or Mac you can use the .dmg version of OCAT to generate the SmUUID. Just remember to re-create the SmUUID in macOS Big Sur/Monterey once it's installed on your Dell Optiplex. Then it will be a match for that specific hardware.

Choice of language If your primary language is English you can specify that in your config.plist. Make the following String in the NVRAM section of the config.plist (prev-lang:kbd) as shown below. Do this if you see Russian when you reach the macOS Installer and you don't speak any Russian, only English.

Step 3.

Hidden BIOS/UEFI settings. These settings are not available through the Dell BIOS GUI. This is the way to change them. Find a printable PDF version of all of these attached at the end of this post.

Format any USB flash drive as macOS Extended Journaled and partition it GUID. Now mount the EFI partition and copy the EFI folder (with SmUUID) onto the EFI partition of your USB flash drive. See a Windows only version of how to do this. Click Here Requires the use of the Command line and DISKPART in Windows.

Now insert the USB into a front USB 2.0 port and power on your Optiplex. Select modGRUBShell.efi at the GUI screen.

When booted into a modified Grub Shell, use the setup_var command and the following offset value: 0x0

Disable CFG Lock (MSR 0xE2 Register)

setup_var 0xDA2 0x0

The Apple framebuffer kexts generally assume 64MB DVMT Pre-Allocation or larger and most PC OEMs like Dell use only 32MB. Setting DVMT to 64MB helps your Dell Optiplex natively support 4K screen resolutions via DP 1.2 outputs. From a modified Grub Shell, here's what you need to enter with the setup_var command. https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/the-dell-optimac-big-sur-opencore-thread.302383/#post-2165113

Increase DVMT pre-allocation to 64MB

setup_var 0x263 0x2

For the sake of completeness, here are the rest of the hidden UEFI modifications that are suggested for your Optiplex. These will enable EHCI handoff and set XHCI to enabled etc. Simply stated, they make USB ports work better.

setup_var 0x2 0x1

setup_var 0x144 0x1

setup_var 0x15A 0x2

setup_var 0x146 0x0

setup_var 0x147 0x0

Step 4.

Direct Download Links for Big Sur and Monterey (Full Installers)

Big Sur 11.7.1

https://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/62/53/012-90253-A_05NBWHTA4J/wk1on4mznvduz1jbd0javp5p1zid5z5uvn/InstallAssistant.pkg

Monterey 12.6.1

https://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/36/13/012-90254-A_BJQ1VMPD44/z225i7bzise31eo21e4kgfkafz7zq0q9tu/InstallAssistant.pkg

✂️ Use EFI Agent to mount EFI partition

30 seconds · Clipped by Customac 1 · Original video "Create Your Custom OpenCore EFI Folder" by Customac 1

youtube.com

This chart, created by CaseySJ shows you that both the USB drive and SSD will have EFI partitions after you format them.

Here's everything you should have on your USB flash drive you created in step 4. Remember, don't connect to the internet and sign into any Apple services until after you've generated serials with GenSMBIOS and added them to your config.plist. Connect your ethernet once at the desktop to download Python and MacSerial so you can run the GenSMBIOS script. When that's done, reboot from your EFI with all the serials and ROM added to it.

As explained in Step 2. If you don't have a Mac or Hackinosh to make your Big Sur or Monterey USB installer you can use Windows to create an online installer. See the following guide: https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/make-an-online-opencore-usb-installer-in-windows-10.321046/ Install the latest version of Catalina and then upgrade to Big Sur or Monterey with the download links to full installers posted above.

Step 5.

Make sure your monitor is connected via DP output on your Dell Optiplex. VGA will not work. Don't use it. You can adapt DP to either HDMI or VGA if you need to. Find the low cost adapters on Amazon or other online retailers. If you are using a 4K TV or 4K monitor and HDMI 2.0 then this Ivanky active adapter from Amazon is the best choice.

Amazon.com

To remove the existing boot-args, open up your config.plist and expand the NVRAM section 7C436... There you will find the boot-args string. Simply delete all of those arguments and save the changes. No more verbose info on boot.

Step 6.

After you have macOS installed, you can now create all your serials and add the ROM (ethernet MAC address) to your config.plist. Use either GenSMBIOS or OCAT to do this, either one will work. It is advisable to use your Ethernet MAC Address instead of a generated ROM. You can find that in the BIOS under System Information.

The following video shows you how to use GenSMBIOS when booted into macOS. Make sure to use the correct SMBIOS for your specific EFI folder.

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Once you are done with this step, reboot and try to sign in to Messages and Facetime to see if they are working properly with the Serials you have generated. If those work, the next step is to Copy the finished OpenCore Custom EFI folder from the EFI partition of the USB installer you just created and paste it to the EFI partition of your HDD or SSD. You'll have to mount the hidden EFI partition of the USB first. I use EFI Agent app by the creator of Hackintool. https://github.com/headkaze/EFI-Agent/releases

Reboot once more and make sure booting without the USB installer works. Most importantly, keep that USB installer as a rescue disk or at least back up your EFI folder to another computer so you can retrieve it easily if your OptiMac does not boot. Step 7 will also make a copy of your finished EFI folder on your backup drive.

 

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Spoiler: How to change the MEBX password

Access Intel® MEBX Configuration User Interface

The Intel MEBX configuration user interface can be accessed on a client system through the following steps:

1. On rebooting the system, after the initial boot screen, the following message will be displayed: ‘Intel® MEBX: <CTRL-P>’

To enter the Intel MEBX, press <Ctrl-P> as soon as possible, since this message is displayed for only a few seconds.
Enter the Intel Management Engine password under ‘MEBX Password’. Press Enter. The default password is ‘admin’. Change it to something complex so that it can't be guessed. Write it down for safe keeping.

MEBX = Management Engine BIOS Extension

If you need to purchase a Dell Optiplex 7020/9020 desktop click on the following links to Amazon and Newegg.

Dell Optiplex 7020/9020 Mini-Tower (MT)
Amazon - Newegg

Dell Optiplex 7020/9020 Small Form Factor (SFF)
Amazon - Newegg

Dell Optiplex 9020 Ultra Small Form Factor (USFF)
Amazon - Newegg

Questions and Answers

How long will this Dell Optiplex Hackintosh last ?

As long as you want it to. These are incredibly well built PCs and all components are easily replaceable at a low cost. macOS Monterey will be supported for 3 years with security updates so you can definitely use it that long. If you want to upgrade to macOS 13 Ventura, that is not an option when using the iGPU. We know for sure that you will be able to install and use a supported AMD graphics card and get this to work with macOS 13. I'm not going to do that personally so you'll be on your own if you want to try installing macOS 13 in 2023.

Why is it important to be able to run Big Sur or Monterey on these Dell PCs ?

Many Mac only programs such as Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro require that you are on at least Big Sur 11.5 or newer. If you want the latest Xcode to develop apps you're going to need Monterey installed. You also get all the most recent security updates when you're on Big Sur or Monterey.

Can I dual boot with Windows 10/11 ?

Yes, that is easy to do when using OpenCore. I only run Monterey on mine because I don't use Windows that often.
I have tried installing Win 11 on a Haswell based Optiplex and it does work. The question is whether you'll be able to get security updates for it further down the road. MS could cut those off for older PCs like this. Only 8th gen or newer Intel CPUs are officially supported by Windows 11. It also requires TPM 2.0. These Dell PCs have TPM 1.2.

Make this change to you config.plist if you'll be dual booting.

It's always best to physically disconnect the macOS boot drive before installing or updating Windows. This Full LauncherOption String adds another layer of security for your macOS EFI.

If you are not multibooting and only use macOS then leave the LauncherOption set to disabled.

Why use the Macmini 7,1 SMBIOS and the integrated graphics ?

The 2014 Mac mini is the last Haswell based Mac that still has support in Monterey. That has Intel HD5000 graphics which are very similar to HD4600. When using that SMBIOS you'll get the best graphics performance. The cost of any supported new AMD graphics card is $200 and up so using the iGPU can save you a lot of money. You'll also save on your electric bill when using the iGPU. A discrete graphics card draws a lot more power, even when idle.

I want even more speed. Can I boot from an NVMe drive instead of a Sata SSD ?​

This guide at TachyTelic.net shows you step by step how to enable booting from NVMe. You can't flash anyone else's modfied BIOS. You must go through the guide step by step to perform the mod. The steps in the guide must be done on the same machine that will use the modded BIOS.

Install and boot from an NVMe SSD on a Dell OptiPlex 9020, 7020 or 3020

How to modify the BIOS of a Dell Optiplex 9020, 7020 or 3020 so that it can boot from a PCIe NVMe SSD Drive for maxiumum performance.

www.tachytelic.net

There is a requirement for an NVMe adapter as the Dell Optiplex board has no M.2 slots. Here's an example from Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JJTVGZM/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Place it in the PCIe 3.0, longer, x16 blue colored slot, to get the fastest speeds from your NVMe drive. For more info on this topic and to see the best drives to use in your OptiMac: https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...0-or-amd-graphics.320419/page-17#post-2344801

Does Bluetooth work in Monterey ?

It does on my Dell Optiplex 9020 MT system. I'm using a genuine Apple Broadcom BCM94360CD card and a specific adapter. Both of these can be found on Ebay.com. It costs more money than a USB dongle but if you must have reliable BT then it's the way to go. Some Broadcom dongles might work with the bluetool fixup kext. If you have the SFF it's slightly more complicated because you need a low profile adapter. I'd suggest using the Fenvi FV-HB1200. No assembly required and it comes with a LP bracket.

Link to Fenvi Low Profile Card

The adapter linked below is one I've tried that always works, no matter which macOS version. The adapter is currently $18.14 USD shipped. The BCM94360CD Wifi/BT cards usually cost around 30 USD. Only buy this combo if you have the Dell Optiplex MT. Won't fit in the low profile SFF case or the smaller USFF.

PCI-E Wireless WIFI Card Compatible for Broadcom BCM94360CD/BCM94331CD 643131531199 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for PCI-E Wireless WIFI Card Compatible for Broadcom BCM94360CD/BCM94331CD at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

AIRPORT WIFI/BLUETOOTH CARD - iMac 21.5 A1418, 27 A1419, Mac Pro A1481 2013,2014 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for AIRPORT WIFI/BLUETOOTH CARD - iMac 21.5 A1418, 27 A1419, Mac Pro A1481 2013,2014 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

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Questions and Answers Part II

I need a low cost, low profile graphics card for the SFF Optiplex. What are my choices ?

Most people have chosen the Nvidia GT 710 card in the past. Support has ended as of macOS 12 Monterey. It's not a very powerful card, i.e. the performance is not much better than the HD4600 iGPU. Worse yet, prices have gone up a lot lately. The GB 5 Metal score for the GT 710 is just over 1,100. It is over 12,700 for the WX 2100 card.

So if you have the SFF and want to edit photos and videos the best budget choice is the AMD Radeon Pro WX 2100. I've attached a working iMac17,1 EFI folder below. It has the specific Device-ID spoof so the WX 2100 will work with either Big Sur or Monterey. Don't use it with any other GPU. Set Video -> Primary Display in your BIOS to AMD Radeon and then your HD4600 iGPU will run headless and be used for compute only. Perfect for video rendering using Intel QuickSync. No matter what AMD card you use, if you choose an iMac SMBIOS like 17,1 you can run the iGPU headless.

DON'T FORGET As with the other EFI folders, add your SmUUID to the config.plist first before booting the USB installer.
Generate your System UUID

Radeon Pro WX 2100 OpenCL and Metal Scores in GeekBench

I'd like to use a full size AMD dedicated card like the Radeon RX 580. Can I use the EFI folder for that ?

The Macmini 7,1 (Late 2014) was never capable of discrete graphics so it's not a perfect fit. The best option is to use iMac15,1 and Big Sur if you want to utilize a full size AMD GPU. I use Big Sur with my RX 570 installed for video editing and it works great. You can also use the iMac17,1 EFI and Monterey and run the iGPU headless to speed up video rendering in iMovie, Final Cut or Premiere Pro.

The 15,1 iMacs used the Haswell i7-4790K in one version so if you have the i7-4790 CPU it's practically a perfect fit for CPU function too. If you must have Monterey and an AMD GPU, then the best option is iMac17,1 which used a Skylake CPU.

That being said you could use Macmini7,1 and the GPU will work if you disable Legacy Option ROMs. I tried it with my 570 and it was recognized. I did need to leave Video -> Primary Display set to Auto for it to work. Here's a few screen shots:

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The downside to using an AMD card and disabling Legacy Option ROMs is that wake from sleep will not work. You'll always get a black screen after trying to wake your OptiMac and need to reboot to remedy this every time.

If you do want the best AMD option right now, it would have to be the Radeon RX 6600 XT. Requires a PSU upgrade and the Mini-Tower Dell Optiplex form factor to accommodate it. Prices have come down to around 400 USD lately. It has native support in Monterey but not in Big Sur. Perfect for use with Final Cut Pro or iMovie.

https://www.newegg.com/sapphire-radeon-rx-6600-xt-11309-03-20g/p/N82E16814202406
Here's a high quality DP to HDMI adapter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086QQT48Y/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

For a more powerful low profile card that fits in the SFF form factor case, try the Visiontek RX560 2GB card. These have only mini-DP outputs, not full size. 4GB version is usually over $200 new. The Radeon Pro WX 4100 looks better and runs quieter but will cost more money. A good investment if you can afford one.

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

 

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Benchmarking Scores for the Core i5-4590 version of the 7020 / 9020 Dell Optiplex SFF.

The OpenCL score for those using the iGPU as primary graphics will be close to 3030

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For those lucky enough to have an i7-4790 you can expect GB 5 multi-core scores to come in at over 3700. That is over double what any 7,1 2014 Mac mini can achieve. See the screenshots below.

Do not try to run the Metal test (Compute) if using iGPU only. Will lock up your OptiMac.
The Metal benchmark should run fine with a supported AMD or Nvidia graphics card.

Now here are the scores for the Late 2014 Mac Mini

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Since the 2014 Apple Mac mini only had a maxium of two cores, the multicore scores are much lower than they are for any quad core i5 or i7 Dell OptiMac running macOS Monterey.

 

[craighazan]

I'm going to revisit my 9020 SFF!. I'd like to try the Visiontek card, I have never used a GPU in this build.

 

[hackamac83]

I created the Monterey install USB on my MacBook and added the Mac Mini EFI files to the EFI partition but I can’t get it to boot on my Optiplex. Have I missed something out?

 

[hackamac83]

I created the Monterey install USB on my MacBook and added the Mac Mini EFI files to the EFI partition but I can’t get it to boot on my Optiplex. Have I missed something out?

It was the SmUUID that I was missing. Isn't it better just to add a value for this in the download files so it will boot? I know it will need updating later but it might be easier for people to get started.

 

[trs96]

Isn't it better just to add a value for this in the download files so it will boot? I know it will need updating later but it might be easier for people to get started.

Making it Step 2. of this guide should be enough. If someone hasn't even read post #1, they are really skipping over details and just grabbing the EFI folder. Not a good approach.

Also, from the second paragraph in post #1:

The SmUUID info must be added to your config.plist before you can boot from the USB installer. If you don't enter that first, you'll get a black screen instead of the OpenCore boot menu.

I've been a moderator for many years now and I've learned that people are basically lazy. They'll most likely leave the existing SmUUID there as long as their hack boots up. Then we'll have all these people using the same SmUUID, the primary ID (of many) that absolutely has to be completely unique for a hack owner. It's tied to their unique hardware config. The MLB and ROM and Mac Serial number should all be completely unique to that build too. Many people using the same ones is a disaster for those that want to use Apple services like the app store, messages and facetime.

 

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I'm still struggling to get it to boot.

Your hardware profile says 3020. What machine from Dell are you trying this on ?