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GPU and Wifi/Bluetooth suggestions/advice

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geoffoliver

geoffoliver

Joined
Nov 17, 2020
Messages
74
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z490I Aorus Ultra
CPU
i9-10900K
Graphics
RX 5500 XT
Mac
  1. iMac
  2. MacBook Pro
Mobile Phone
  1. iOS
I'm considering building my first Hackintosh, but I'm stuck on picking out a GPU and suitable Wifi/Bluetooth card.

For reference, I'm building on a GIGABYTE Z490I AORUS motherboard (https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16813145188?Item=N82E16813145188) with an Intel 10900K processor (https://www.newegg.com/intel-core-i9-10900k-core-i9-10th-gen/p/N82E16819118122?Item=N82E16819118122).

For the GPU, I'm considering one of these three - https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...118,9SIAGBA79B2523,14-202-384&compareall=true - but I'm not sure which is the best option, or even if they're all compatible. I'm kinda sure they're all compatible, but this is the first time I've built a Hackintosh, or ever thought about purchasing a graphics card, so I'm not very confident in my assumption. I'm not going to be doing anything that should really require a dedicated GPU (no super modern/intense games or anything. 99% of the time I'm on the computer, I'm coding or reading something, so I don't need a bunch of horsepower) but it would seem that if I want video at all, I'll need one :)

For Wifi, I am considering this - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001297172227.html - which, again, I think will work, but I really have no idea.

I appreciate any help/tips/pointers. Thanks!!
 
My First Hackintosh
Z490 I Aorus Ultra |  i9 10900K |  Radeon Other
Those cards are compatible, but they are old and overpriced. the 5xxx series is the current generation. The 5500XT is around 200 bucks. As far as Wifi/BT goes. I use the Fenvi t919, which is a PCIe card. It is fully compatible although there are probably more current options. Hopefully someone will suggest one.
 
I'll check out the newer video cards. I had no idea those were old, or overpriced! Thank you!!

Unfortunately the motherboard I (stupidly) chose only has one PCIe slot, so I'll need something that goes into the M.2 on the back of the board if I'm also going to stuff a GPU into this thing.
 
My First Hackintosh
Z490 I Aorus Ultra |  i9 10900K |  Radeon Other
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My First Hackintosh
Z490 I Aorus Ultra |  i9 10900K |  Radeon Other
My First Hackintosh
Z490 I Aorus Ultra |  i9 10900K |  Radeon Other
Wait, I don't think you need the A-E converter. For the Antenna you will have to check as well because you should be able to use the one coming with your motherboard.

I have bought this https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/4000631796433.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.661e6c37VuS06t for my future build with Asus Rog Strix B460-i and it is very similar to the card you've bought. As far as I understood it is a direct replacement for the onboard Wifi/Bluetooth M2 card so probably it is the same for the Aorus motherboard.

Now you have to check if you can remove the Wifi card on your motherboard but usually those are in M2 A+E slots. But I have read that for some Gigabyte cards there is another problem.
 
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Milhooz said:
Wait, I don't think you need the A-E converter. For the Antenna you will have to check as well because you should be able to use the one coming with your motherboard.

I have bought this https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/4000631796433.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.661e6c37VuS06t for my future build with Asus Rog Strix B460-i and it is very similar to the card you've bought. As far as I understood it is a direct replacement for the onboard Wifi/Bluetooth M2 card so probably it is the same for the Aorus motherboard.

Now you have to check if you can remove the Wifi card on your motherboard but usually those are in M2 A+E slots. But I have read that for some Gigabyte cards there is another problem.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure if I need the converter either, to be honest - I've never had to deal with M.2 slots before - but my board says it only supports M key, and the card is an A+E key, so... :shrug:

I don't think removing the wifi from the motherboard isn't an option. Not unless I want to get out the soldering iron, anyway :) Because of that, I don't think I'd be able to use the antennas from the existing card either since.

I attached a screengrab of a youtube review of the board where the guy has removed the heat shield thing so you can actually see the bits underneath and it certainly doesn't look user serviceable.
 

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My First Hackintosh
Z490 I Aorus Ultra |  i9 10900K |  Radeon Other
Ok I wrote an answer and it looks like it did not get approved (or not yet) by the moderation, maybe too many links to other forums with answers. It is a shame because I spend at least one hour to do some research.

You are correct that with the Z490i from Gigabyte, you cannot replace the Wifi card by another brand because the motherboard is CNVI locked meaning only Intel CNVI M2 Wireless cards are allowed. If you want to keep two M2 slots for drives (for dual boot for example), better to go with different motherboard brands that are not CNVI locked like ASRock Z490 Phantom ITX.

In any case the Wifi card is not soldered on your board. You can see the screw for the shield on your screenshot and I can provide links to pictures where it is open if you want. You might need to remove the onboard card anyway to prevent issues with the bluetooth when you install the second card.

If you don't plan to go for overclocking, there are plenty of options in non Z boards that don't have this CNVI problem so you will be able to replace the onboard Wifi with an Apple compatible one.
 
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