Looking for confirmation/feedback on first Hackintosh build

[fendeanson]

First-time Hackintosh builder here. I built a gaming PC once in 2013 and have been a long-time user of stock Macs, but I'm by no means a super nerd. Go easy on me.

Anyway, the purpose of this machine is to get my feet wet in the Hackintosh environment to see if I can do it. This machine will be used for lightweight video and photo editing (iMovie, maybe FCP or Premier at down the road?).

I've already purchased the base for my machine - a HP Compaq 3800 Elite (http://www.ebay.com/itm/152538232158). I did some quick Googling and found success stories from people who'd already converted the machine to a Hackintosh, so I feel good on that front. Let me know if you know something I don't.

What I'd like some feedback/confirmation on is the upgrades. I have an SSD sitting around that I'm going to put in for the boot drive. That leaves the GPU (doesn't have one) and RAM as things I'd like to upgrade.

I'm thinking this for RAM: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231606

For the GPU, I've done some research and know that I need something that needs to be low profile and powered completely by the PCIe slot. From what I can tell, this should be perfect: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487290

Does anyone see any problems with this build that I wouldn't be aware of?

If this does work like I think it should... holy crap. I'm about to end up with a pretty darned good machine (the CPU benchmarks almost 10k on PassMark) running MacOS for ~$400.

Appreciate the help.
— G

 

[samisnake]

itll work.

http://store.hp.com/UKStore/Merch/Product.aspx?id=B9C44AW&opt=ABU&sel=DEF
tech specs say alc221 audio and compatible ethernet chip.

googling alc221 hackintosh brings up this link
https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...3470-quad-core-at-newegg.191143/#post-1246982
which happens to be the model of pc youve bought. so you know for a fact others have used it, and you also have a solution for the onboard audio.

if youre using apple software (imovie/fcp) youll want an amd/ati card. premiere makes use of cuda, which is present on nvidia cards

 

[trs96]

There are only three companies that sell a low profile 1050 Ti, Gigabyte, MSI and Zotac. The MSI is the lowest priced right now and has dual fans which should help keep it cooler in that small case.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod...re=1050_Ti_low_profile-_-14-137-081-_-Product

The one you linked to from EVGA is not low profile so it wouldn't fit. Also I wouldn't use the G.Skill ARES ram as I've tried G.Skill before in the Elite 8000 and it wouldn't even post with it installed. Go with Crucial 1600 MHz DDR3 or HP branded ram for the best compatibility.

Follow pastrychef's Elite 8300 User Build for specific install directions.

 

[fendeanson]

if youre using apple software (imovie/fcp) youll want an amd/ati card. premiere makes use of cuda, which is present on nvidia cards

Any specific cards you'd recommend? I've always used NVIDIA cards in my PCs, so I'm pretty unfamiliar with the AMD lineup. Also, all of the card recommendations on the Buyers' Guide are NVIDIA. What extra is involved with using an AMD card?

The one you linked to from EVGA is not low profile so it wouldn't fit. Also I wouldn't use the G.Skill ARES ram as I've tried G.Skill before in the Elite 8000 and it wouldn't even post with it installed. Go with Crucial 1600 MHz DDR3 or HP branded ram for the best compatibility.

Good catch, thanks.

Follow pastrychef's Elite 8300 User Build for specific install directions.

Awesome, will do.