First Hackintosh Build / Compatibility

[ratyo]

Hi all!

I have MBP already, I wanted to upgrade for latest model... but after weeks of considerations I decided to go the hackintosh way. As it's my first build I would like to ask if that build will be fine considering compatibility?

I will mostly be using this computer for web design work (2D, some personal video editing sometimes). So... Sketch, Photoshop, Illustrator.

Mainboard: ASUS ROG Maximus X Code / Already bought

Processor: Intel Core i7-8700K

Graphics card: Sapphire RX 580 Pulse 8GB / Already bought

RAM: G.SKILL TridentZ DDR4 32GB (2x16) 3200MHz CL16

SSD1 (for Mac OS): Samsung 970 EVO 250GB - NVMe PCIe M.2 / Already bought

SSD2 (for storage): Crucial MX500 1TB / Already bought

PSU: be quiet! Straight Power 11 750W (BN282)

Monitor: LG 4K UHD 27UD88-W 27" / Already bought

Thanks in advance for help!

 

[Jamesbond007]

Hi all!

I have MBP already, I wanted to upgrade for latest model... but after weeks of considerations I decided to go the hackintosh way. As it's my first build I would like to ask if that build will be fine considering compatibility?

I will mostly be using this computer for web design work (2D, some personal video editing sometimes). So... Sketch, Photoshop, Illustrator.

Mainboard: Gigabyte Z370 AORUS Gaming WIFI
Processor: Intel Core i7-8700K
Graphics card: Sapphire RX 580 Pulse 8GB
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport LT (32GB)
SSD: Samsung 960 Evo 500GB M.2 PCIe (probably I will go with 250GB + 2TB WD for storage)
PSU: be quiet! Straight Power 11 650W (BN282)

Thanks in advance for help!

This build should be compatible with MacOS High Sierra.

 

[ratyo]

After 2 months I'm back and ready to finally build the hack. I already bought Sapphire RX 580 Pulse 8GB and Crucial SSD MX300 1TB for storage.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the motherboard. A lot of research, like this doc: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...EqiK1xykSiTDF2Lt1FO8cNhI6I/edit#gid=585498417
and now I consider 2-3 different motherboards. Could you help to choose one? Specs are just specs, but which one will be the easiest one to build a Hackintosh on it? I want to overclock the 8700K to 4.8-5.0 GHz.

Asrock Z370 Extreme4 (according to all information it has good VRM section)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0763BS899/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Asrock Z370 Taichi (also good VRM section, but I read about some problems with Hackintosh, 3x M.2)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07638ZKSD/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Asus Prime Z370-A
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075RJHN2D/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Gigabyte Z370 HD3P (cheap, but I found success Hackintosh builds)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0762RN791/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Gigabyte Z370 Aorus Ultra Gaming WiFi
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BVP6JY9/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Taichi is a bit too expensive for me, but if there is a reason to choose this one I can think about that.

 

[e-troc]

https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...7-8700k-rx-580-2x-dell-p2715q-4k-60hz.252989/

 

[ratyo]

https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...7-8700k-rx-580-2x-dell-p2715q-4k-60hz.252989/

Yeah, I know that build. I just want to go with something cheaper than Gaming 7, probably I don't need that much of a features...

 

[e-troc]

Well, it is cheaper than the Taichi board you listed.
Also if you are going to overclock, you might not want to save on the board.
Finally, in my experience good guides and plenty of discussion about a board are incredibly valuable. Worth more than the few bucks you can save here, I reckon.

 

[ratyo]

Ok, so now I have the opportunity to buy 2 motherboards in good price:
1) Gigabyte Aorus Z370 Gaming 7
2) ASUS ROG Maximus X Code

So guys, which of these two would you recommend?

 

[Jamesbond007]

Ok, so now I have the opportunity to buy 2 motherboards in good price:
1) Gigabyte Aorus Z370 Gaming 7
2) ASUS ROG Maximus X Code

So guys, which of these two would you recommend?

Personally I would go for the Gigabyte board as they are what I have been using. It is also listed in the Buyer's Guide so you can be sure someone already tested it to work.

 

[xmark]

So guys, which of these two would you recommend?

I'm sure you already did this, but the safest thing to do is to search for "Success" and "Guide" builds with the key hardware (mb/cpu/gpu) that you're looking at (on this site and wider too). Check how many extra kexts etc people needed. Basically if you're lazy like me you want a golden build with minimal additional work. The thing is to spot something you didn't think mattered ... but does once you realise you don't have it.

For example, after I'd installed on my ITX GA Z370N WiFi, I read the useful discussion here about USB3.1 Rev 2 ports suitable for Thunderbolt 3 (i.e. egpu etc). My board only supports 3.1 Gen 1 which will not run TB3. I know you plan a GPU in the box, but anyway. That discussion is about whether Apple uses H370 rather than Z370 for the Mac Mini. It might be worth seeing if someone has identified the exact chipset etc of the Mac model you are emulating. I personally would have bought a different m/b knowing what I know now (re: USB3.1 Gen 2).

 

[ratyo]

I'm sure you already did this, but the safest thing to do is to search for "Success" and "Guide" builds with the key hardware (mb/cpu/gpu) that you're looking at (on this site and wider too).

Yes, of course I did this. There is quite many people using Maximus X Hero board with success. As far as I know X Her and X Code are very similar, that's why I'm considering to use it in my build.

I know... Gaming 7 is one the best for easy build, but X Code seems to be more powerful and... better looking ;-)