Powermac G5 mATX build - advice needed

[rrrene]

Hello everyone,

first of all thanks for your acceptance.

I would like to start a small christmas project and assemble or build a PowerMac G5 Hackintosh.

Unfortunately, I am professionally dependent on Windows (home office) and would like to build a dual-boot machine.

Unfortunately, even though I work in IT, I'm not that fit in the hardware components anymore and would be happy to get some input from you.


My rough requirements for a system:
- Dual Boot capable (MacOS Big Sur, W10)
- Gaming capable (here only CS:GO, so no giant gaming machine)
- Laserhive Kit (prefer mATX)
- mATX Mainboard
- Everything should work and remain upgradeable or updateable

Now my questions to you:

- Which hardware would you recommend for the above mentioned requirements and easy maintainability? Used components may also come into consideration...
- With DualBoot two SSDs probably make sense, don't they?

I'm already looking forward to the exchange

Thanks in advance for your effort.

Many greetings,
René

 

[antieatingactivist]

Pick an mATX Z490 board from Asus, gigabyte, or AsRock (MSI is apparently problematic according to the OpenCore guide for this gen) and a 10th gen CPU (core I-series). for graphics, you should get a Radeon rx 5xxx series, which ever fits in your price range. You absolutely want to have 2 different SSD's to dualboot.

 

[rrrene]

Thanks for your prompt reply and the recommandations.

Will the following be a good choice?
- Intel Core i5-10400F (what is the difference to the one without F)
- Asus Prime Z-490M Gaming X
- 2x Samsung MZ-V7E500BW 970 EVO 500 GB NVMe M.2
- 2 x Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB DDR4 C16 XMP 2.0


For the GPU I think I don‘t need a high end one. Which one for around 100$ could you recommand?

Could you maybe recommand a fitting PSU (maybe can be added to the original PSU case)?

Best regards,
René

 

[rrrene]

Thanks for your prompt reply and the recommandations.

Will the following be a good choice?
- Intel Core i5-10400F (what is the difference to the one without F)
- Asus Prime Z-490M Gaming X
- 2x Samsung MZ-V7E500BW 970 EVO 500 GB NVMe M.2
- 2 x Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB DDR4 C16 XMP 2.0


Could you maybe recommand a fitting PSU (maybe can be added to the original PSU case)?

Best regards,
René

 

[Jamesbond007]

Thanks for your prompt reply and the recommendations.

Will the following be a good choice?
- Intel Core i5-10400F (what is the difference to the one without F)
- Asus Prime Z-490M Gaming X
- 2x Samsung MZ-V7E500BW 970 EVO 500 GB NVMe M.2
- 2 x Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB DDR4 C16 XMP 2.0


For the GPU I think I don‘t need a high end one. Which one for around 100$ could you recommand?

Could you maybe recommend a fitting PSU (maybe can be added to the original PSU case)?

Best regards,
René

F CPUs have no CPU integrated graphics while non-F CPUs do.

 

[antieatingactivist]

Thanks for your prompt reply and the recommandations.

Will the following be a good choice?
- Intel Core i5-10400F (what is the difference to the one without F)
- Asus Prime Z-490M Gaming X
- 2x Samsung MZ-V7E500BW 970 EVO 500 GB NVMe M.2
- 2 x Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB DDR4 C16 XMP 2.0


Could you maybe recommand a fitting PSU (maybe can be added to the original PSU case)?

Best regards,
René

Are you looking at the gigabyte z490m gaming x or the Asus prime z490m? You should go for the latter since it has 2 m.2 slots for your ssd's. You're going to be pretty limited on graphics cards with a 100 dollar budget. It looks like you can get a Radeon rx 570 on eBay for that price. It should do you fine for CSGO. As for as PSU's go. You don't have any big power requirements. 450-500 watts will be fine. Just look for a reputable brand like EVGA, Corsair, Seasonic etc.

 

[rrrene]

Thanks for the input. Is it possible go get the iGPU running for installation? I think the GPU will be added when i find a good offer

 

[rrrene]

Are you looking at the gigabyte z490m gaming x or the Asus prime z490m? You should go for the latter since it has 2 m.2 slots for your ssd's. You're going to be pretty limited on graphics cards with a 100 dollar budget. It looks like you can get a Radeon rx 570 on eBay for that price. It should do you fine for CSGO. As for as PSU's go. You don't have any big power requirements. 450-500 watts will be fine. Just look for a reputable brand like EVGA, Corsair, Seasonic etc.

That‘s a good hint, thanks. Then I think I will choose the latter

Maybe I can get the budget up to 150, but don‘t really want to spend more. Or what do you think is needed?

By now my configuration looks like this:

- ASUS Prime Z490M-Plus Gaming Mainboard Sockel 1200
- Intel Core i5-10400 Prozessor or 10500
- 2x Samsung MZ-V7E500BW 970 EVO 500 GB NVMe M.2
- 2 x Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB DDR4 C16 XMP 2.0 62€
- 2x Noctua NF-B9 redux-1600 PWM - 92mm
- Be Quiet! Dark Rock 4
- Be Quiet! System Power 11 | 500/600W
- BlackCH Mods Cable

GPU still an open topic
Any advice for the Wifi / BT? Heard about Fenvi, but think it‘s quite expensive, are there any cheaper
options?

Any opinions / changes from your side?

Thanks for everything!

Best regards,
René

 

[Milhooz]

Is it possible go get the iGPU running for installation?

Yes it is possible as long as you don't get a CPU with F at the end

 

[antieatingactivist]

That‘s a good hint, thanks. Then I think I will choose the latter

Maybe I can get the budget up to 150, but don‘t really want to spend more. Or what do you think is needed?

By now my configuration looks like this:

- ASUS Prime Z490M-Plus Gaming Mainboard Sockel 1200
- Intel Core i5-10400 Prozessor or 10500
- 2x Samsung MZ-V7E500BW 970 EVO 500 GB NVMe M.2
- 2 x Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB DDR4 C16 XMP 2.0 62€
- 2x Noctua NF-B9 redux-1600 PWM - 92mm
- Be Quiet! Dark Rock 4
- Be Quiet! System Power 11 | 500/600W
- BlackCH Mods Cable

GPU still an open topic
Any advice for the Wifi / BT? Heard about Fenvi, but think it‘s quite expensive, are there any cheaper
options?

Any opinions / changes from your side?

Thanks for everything!

Best regards,
René

Unfortunately, a fully compatible continuity/handoff Wifi/BT option is going to set you back 50 bucks or so. Lots bluetooth USB dongles will give you mouse and keyboard support though. That might get you by in the mean time if you have one lying around.

Also if you are feeling pinched on graphics card budget, you can get up and running with the iGPU, but just make sure you don't get a SKU with an "F" at the end.