pastrychef's Asus ROG Strix Z370-G Gaming (WI-FI AC) build w/ i9-9900K + AMD 6600 XT

[Danoldo]

Here’s the chip I ordered

 

[pastrychef]

I have no idea how I ended up here.

I have high sierra working on this computer.

I have -
Thermaltake V21 Case
GA-Z370N-WiFi mobo
Intel i7-8700k
AMD RX 480 GPU
16gb 3466Mhz ram
600SFX Corsair PSU


I spent like two days just trying to get the installer to not show a prohibited sign. Then all of a sudden it didnt show a prohibited sign, it installed, and I dont even remember my steps to get there.
I just got my mac up and running High Sierra. I have no clue how I did it though. I am now scared to even touch this computer and I need to install this chip.

I have this broadcom chip - BCM94360CD - Natively supports wifi and BT. It is going in my GA-Z370N-Wifi Mobo
https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...card-into-a-ga-z370n-wifi-motherboard.259300/
I see this but I dont know if I need the adapter or not.

Right now, the computer works, I am afraid that I am going to start messing with it and just break the whole thing again and never get it back up and running. I am shocked that it worked so far.

Installing a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth card won't break macOS.

View attachment 364267 View attachment 364268 View attachment 364269 View attachment 364270 Here’s the chip I ordered

This is a BCM94360CD with Mini PCI adaptor. It will not fit in the M.2 slot of your motherboard. You need an M.2 adaptor, not a Mini PCI adaptor.

Also, the BCM94360CD needs 4 antennas. The bracket from your motherboard only has 2 antennas. BCM94360CS2 requires only 2 antennas.

All the info you need is in post #40.

 

[Danoldo]

And so it begins...

 

[Danoldo]

Installing a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth card won't break macOS.





This is a BCM94360CD with Mini PCI adaptor. It will not fit in the M.2 slot of your motherboard. You need an M.2 adaptor, not a Mini PCI adaptor.

Also, the BCM94360CD needs 4 antennas. The bracket from your motherboard only has 2 antennas. BCM94360CS2 requires only 2 antennas.

All the info you need is in post #40.

Well crap

 

[Danoldo]

Installing a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth card won't break macOS.





This is a BCM94360CD with Mini PCI adaptor. It will not fit in the M.2 slot of your motherboard. You need an M.2 adaptor, not a Mini PCI adaptor.

Also, the BCM94360CD needs 4 antennas. The bracket from your motherboard only has 2 antennas. BCM94360CS2 requires only 2 antennas.

All the info you need is in post #40.

what about this one?

 

[Danoldo]

Its a good thing I also needed to install a cpu cooler and different SSD's... lol

Also, I know installing the antenna wont make MacOS break...my worry and fear is that once I get it apart and back together....and then start to apply changes, I will make it break because I lucked out so hard on getting it to work.

 

[pastrychef]

View attachment 364315

what about this one?

This can work, but will require additional kexts. If you want a solution that doesn't require additional kexts, read post #40.

 

[Danoldo]

This can work, but will require additional kexts. If you want a solution that doesn't require additional kexts, read post #40.

Well, the deal is this. I need to learn how to do this or I’m half assing it. I have this card as well.

I will just need to man up and learn how to operate under the premise that upgrading will always be needed and so I need to learn the details of adding kexts... it can’t be THAT hard, amirite?

Do you believe the distance for wifi / bluetooth / handoff will be acceptable with this card?

I ordered it because of what I read in other threads. The range was not discussed regarding this item. I did notice how range was discussed on others.

 

[pastrychef]

View attachment 364328 View attachment 364330
Well, the deal is this. I need to learn how to do this or I’m half assing it. I have this card as well.

I will just need to man up and learn how to operate under the premise that upgrading will always be needed and so I need to learn the details of adding kexts... it can’t be THAT hard, amirite?

Do you believe the distance for wifi / bluetooth / handoff will be acceptable with this card?

I ordered it because of what I read in other threads. The range was not discussed regarding this item. I did notice how range was discussed on others.

Holy smokes! You paid a lot for that card... I use one of those in my laptop and paid under $30 for it.

Installing the kexts is easy. The kexts needed for that card are:
BrcmFirmwareData.kext
BrcmPatchRAM2.kext
AirportBrcmFixup.kext

The reception and range have more to do with the antennas you use than the cards themselves. Get crazy with the antennas if you want really, really good reception.

I use the DW1560 on my laptop, but I do not use Messages or Handoff with it, so I can't comment on how well those features work with the DW1560. I do use AirDrop which works fine.

 

[Danoldo]

Holy smokes! You paid a lot for that card... I use one of those in my laptop and paid under $30 for it.

Installing the kexts is easy. The kexts needed for that card are:
BrcmFirmwareData.kext
BrcmPatchRAM2.kext
AirportBrcmFixup.kext

The reception and range have more to do with the antennas you use than the cards themselves. Get crazy with the antennas if you want really, really good reception.

I use the DW1560 on my laptop, but I do not use Messages or Handoff with it, so I can't comment on how well those features work with the DW1560. I do use AirDrop which works fine.

hmmm..link to cheaper card? And possibly a link to great antennas?

I'm building this for my father's 60th birthday...I would love to give him a computer that works in entirety.

BTW, Wow, thank you so much for your words and advice. I am 1) ALWAYS open to criticism. 2) New here, so I might not know all the right etiquette this particular board has but I am open and willing. and 3) very appreciative of suggestions.