Hobby Dev and Student Build Advice Needed

[Snackintosh]

Hi,

I'm currently using a 2017 - 12" Macbook hooked up to a TV and use Xcode to learn programming, as it's a useful IDE. Currently I'm in school, so I was thinking about getting a reliable budget computer (1000-2000). Even though it's using Intel Core i7 and 16GB of RAM, it struggles with Chrome and other processor-intensive tasks sometimes, as it'll use 100% of the CPU and use 66% of the RAM.

In short, I'm looking to make a build that isn't worse than mine, and is great for using Xcode. It seems like 32GB or RAM and an i7 Intel CPU will do.

My plan is use it in school and then buy a Mac when I get a job/freelance while keeping the Hackintosh to upgrade later as a personal PC with Windows on another disk and a nice(r) graphics card.

I was inspired by a video by SnazzyLabs, who recommended some of the parts below. I'm seeing what I can downgrade or swap to save money without sacrificing whatever's needed or "relevant" performance (I won't be gaming on it, but if good GPU helps, I will consider it).

He also has included a link to a thread with a similar build.

I should mention that this will also be my first time building a computer, so I currently don't know much other than I need a thermal paste, USB, and need to avoid static electricity. Should I purchase an iFixit kit to assemble it?

I am using a Bluetooth keyboard and Magic TrackPad currently, so a compatible Bluetooth dongle is a must.

A basic rundown for those skimming through of what I need:
- Bluetooth and WiFi compatibility.
-- Needs to connect to a Magic Trackpad 2 if possible.
- 1 HDMI Out (it will go into a TV) Port
- At least 2-4 USB-A ports
- At least 512GB of storage, although I'll probably go for a 1TB
- Help and moral support
- 32GB of RAM so
- A CPU with >2.0 GHZ that can run Chrome and XCode and other random apps | No overclocking needed, I think.
- I need to know if I need something better than Intel Integrated Graphics
- Can back up to an external hard drive (in case that's an issue)

Ideal, but not necessary:
- Case that shows little light.
- 1TB of Storage or More
- Maybe an internal spinning HD as well, that has a higher capacity (i.e. cheaper than an SSD) that I could back things up to. I might go for WD Black or something by HGST/Hitachi. Currently am not interested in anything Seagate.

Maybe?:
- USB-C Connections

What I've taken care of:
- Mouse, Monitor, and Keyboard.

Here is the list by Quinn Nelson (SnazzyLabs):
Amazon.com: Phanteks Pro M Tempered Glass Case, Black, PH-ES515PTG_BK: Computers & Accessories
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LRVHH6K/

Amazon.com: Intel Core i7-8700K Desktop Processor 6 Cores up to 4.7GHz Turbo Unlocked LGA1151 300 Series 95W: Electronics
https://www.amazon.com/Intel-i7-8700K-Desktop-Processor-Unlocked/dp/B07598VZR8/

Amazon.com: GIGABYTE Z370 AORUS Gaming 7 (Intel LGA1151/ Z370/ ATX/ 3xM.2/ M.2 Thermal Guard / Front USB 3.1 /ESS Sabre DAC /RGB Fusion/ Fan Stop /SLI/ Motherboard): Computers & Accessories
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075KFX627/

Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 DRAM 2666MHz (PC4-21300) C16 Memory Kit - Black at Amazon.com
https://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-2x16GB-2666MHz-PC4-21300/dp/B0134EW44S/

Amazon.com: Samsung 860 EVO 1TB mSATA Internal SSD (MZ-M6E1T0BW): Electronics
https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-860-mSATA-Internal-MZ-M6E1T0BW/dp/B0781VNJVJ/

Amazon.com: EVGA Supernova 750 P2, 80+ Platinum 750W, Fully Modular ECO Mode, 10 Year Warranty, Includes Free Power On Self Tester, Power Supply 220-P2-0750-X1: Electronics
https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Supernova-Platinum-Warranty-220-P2-0750-X1/dp/B010HWDP48/

Amazon.com: Thermaltake Water 3.0 Extreme S 240mm Aluminum Radiator AIO Liquid Cooling System CPU Cooler CLW0224-B: Electronics
https://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Extreme-Aluminum-Radiator-CLW0224-B/dp/B00O08FWTM/

Amazon.com: MSI Gaming Radeon RX 570 256-bit 8GB GDRR5 DirectX 12 VR Ready CFX Graphcis Card (RX 570 ARMOR 8G OC): Electronics
https://www.amazon.com/MSI-RX-570-ARMOR-8G/dp/B076Y93L8F/

Thank you all in advance. I apologize for any stupid mistakes I may I have made in this post; it is not my intention to insult anyone or be careless. If the formatting is terrible or the post is too wordy, please let me know.

 

[trs96]

Quinn based that on the HackaShaq Mac Pro build which you can find in Golden Builds. Read through that as a first step.

You could go with an i5-8500 and an MSI RX 560 GPU instead of what is used in that build. That would reduce the cost significantly. Also you'll want to go with a 500 GB NVME boot drive instead of an mSata drive. I don't think you can even install an mSata drive on that board. Have a look at this NVME drive on Newegg for a possible choice.

 

[Snackintosh]

Thank you, I’ll definitely read through it.

That looks pretty decent! Thank you.

So I guessing that I should stick with that motherboard, right?

 

[trs96]

So I guessing that I should stick with that motherboard, right?

You'll find some good sale prices as they are being closed out. So buy soon. Prices get a lot higher the longer they are out of production. The 30 dollar rebate is only good through today on Newegg.com

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813145036&Description=AORUS%20Gaming%207&cm_re=AORUS_Gaming_7-_-13-145-036-_-Product

Other than that offer they are going for $250 to $260 from other sellers.

 

[Snackintosh]

That’s not good to hear. Do you know what I could add to the build so that way it will support WiFi?

Should I get this?
Amazon.com: OSXWiFi PC/Hackintosh - Handoff and Continuity - Broadcom BCM94360CD - 802.11 A/B/G/N/AC with Bluetooth 4.0 OS X Yosemite 10.10+: Computers & Accessories
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012LOT512/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

 

[trs96]

That’s not good to hear. Do you know what I could add to the build so that way it will support WiFi?

Should I get this?
Amazon.com: OSXWiFi PC/Hackintosh - Handoff and Continuity - Broadcom BCM94360CD - 802.11 A/B/G/N/AC with Bluetooth 4.0 OS X Yosemite 10.10+: Computers & Accessories
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012LOT512/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

Get the Fenvi FV-T919 from Newegg instead and save 100 dollars.

 

[Snackintosh]

Get the Fenvi FV-T919 from Newegg instead and save 100 dollars.

Thank you! I've added it to the list.

 

[Snackintosh]

I haven't bought the parts yet. Should I wait until Black Friday / Cyber Monday?

And can that motherboard connect to a traditional hard drive, like a WD Black?

 

[trs96]

I haven't bought the parts yet. Should I wait until Black Friday / Cyber Monday?

Newegg and Amazon both offer price matching so buy whenever you want. They refund the difference if you find it lower priced later on. Prices don't go down that much from what they are now.

And can that motherboard connect to a traditional hard drive, like a WD Black?

Of course, you can connect any sata based hard drive to your motherboard.

 

[Snackintosh]

Newegg and Amazon both offer price matching so buy whenever you want. They refund the difference if you find it lower priced later on. Prices don't go down that much from what they are now.

Thanks, I was worried that they would make an exception for those days.

Of course, you can connect any sata based hard drive to your motherboard.

That's great to hear. I didn't catch the subtle difference between SATA and mSATA.

Thank you for answering my questions!