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[Success] i9 7920X, ASUS PRIME X299-A, GTX1080Ti, ASUS Thunderbolt 3 (Lazy Guide)

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Dec 10, 2018
Messages
17
Motherboard
ASUS X299-A
CPU
i9-7920X
Graphics
GTX 1080 Ti
Mobile Phone
  1. Android
Introduction
Hey guys.
After I’ve recently built some new hacks for myself and my colleagues, using this marvelous @kgp guide and help from my “far far away” friend @Il.F, I decided to write this ‘lazy’ manual. It’s for those people who don’t want (or can’t) do it by itself using @kgp’s guide.

I’m using the next configuration:
MB: ASUS PRIME X299-A
CPU: Intel Core i9 7920X
WCS: Arctic Cooling Liquid Freezer 240
GPU: Inno3D GTX1080Ti (in PCIEX16_1 slot)
Ram: 32Gb Crucial 2666MHz DDR4 (2x16Gb)
Thunderbolt: ASUS ThunderboltEX 3 (in PCIEX16_2 slot)
WiFi: TP-Link Archer T9E AC1900 PCI-E adapter (in PCIEX16_3 slot)
SSD: Samsung 970 EVO M.2 500Gb
Case: Be Quiet Silent Base 800 Black/Silver
Monitor: Samsung S24A850W (PLS, 1920*1200)

A) BIOS Settings:
I’m using 1503 version. So either update or downgrade to this version.
Load profile with my settings using attached bios.CMO file (you can then edit needed settings for your setup, e.g. adjust RAM frequency or disable Thunderbolt).

NOTE for Thunderbolt users: Windows activation is required before installing/booting into macOS.
Install Windows in UEFI mode w/o installed Thunderbolt card.
Install all drivers including the latest Thunderbolt drivers.
Plug the Thunderbolt card with a USB cable to the M/B and boot into Windows.
Update firmware using the tool from ASUS Support site.
Boot into Windows and check the Thunderbolt using your Thunderbolt device (an HDD was the fastest way for me).
If all is OK, unplug the card for now.

B) Prepare USB Installation stick:

ATTENTION:
I’m using @kgp’s USB approach via 15port USB M/B specified kext. Next USB ports are disabled with the kext:
qoDZrkigL4q-8-z4vuMTQovYj-IBHrNJZT_ivXciINOLNy7f0-jUHL2Fmhrg77S3ZnY-pnJ5DBisDTVx8OkGKGpfVDPQgfycRz239P_McWUCWb0tUYAbVl4TIc4g1yBDLgr3htko

RfgOZFvHT0Tx8TXF9x07KA4mr2kpF3Zhxr6wi4PaYwuMWuFdAKAoBJM3pW8Mc7YETDlkmAaVjdxGO2dCK93v1uqu5vjlkPy6RDqD9zcTdaKMKYtAdfC1lWayllJwcDoo-ixts7nD
1. Download macOS High Sierra full installer on your Macbook/iMac/MacPro.
Unzip attached createInstaller.sh.zip and run the following terminal commands (assuming that the file was saved in Downloads folder):

Code:
cd ~/Downloads
chmod +x createInstaller.sh
./createInstaller.sh

Wait till it finishes.

2. Get a USB Flash Drive (8Gb minimum) and format it using Apple's Disk Utility.
Name: USB
Format: HFS+ (Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Scheme: GUID partition

Open Terminal, copy-paste next command and press Enter/Return:

Code:
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/USB --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app --nointeraction

Wait for complete.

3. Download Clover and run it.
Choose your USB Flash drive and next settings:

YrQaFd8dDvqXNTMDhui_ql2YT2tOnGAB_dMcZFDxKLUfOYH268gkbRKzC_Ymbmpj4CPy9x36g1lt5GwjPEg7nV0P61UCOwrlyUAyflj19ydyRr1YNMbrKPSl-a1vPydXS2JGVmrP


4. After Clover finishes, open Finder, go to EFI partition, delete EFI folder and clean the Trash.
Unzip attached EFI_PRE file and copy-paste new EFI folder to the EFI partition.

It’s configured for 12-core i9 7920X.
If you are using another CPU, replace TSCAdjustReset.kext in EFI/EFI/CLOVER/kexts/Other and config.plist in EFI/EFI/CLOVER by corresponding to your CPU files from CPU_kext folder from EFI_PRE file (folder 8 is for 8-core i7 7820X, folder 10 is for 10-core i9 7900X etc.)
I’m using ‘macOS’ as the name of the macOS partition. You can use any you like.
Open config.plist via Clover Configurator.app and edit the name:

cqtuN_KOZ9i1vpp4bLXnrOV8SOnug1bKWxSax2iQYa1IGnf1A_5trL-6q5uyAo9DMwUpNlHPbrcJCodVdSZJdPq_6vKzJoJbpmT3-UP1MUn22h-F-OEVOakKBjSe4GM4Sl412KIF

C) Installing macOS High Sierra
Boot from the USB (press F8 and choose UEFI<usb>) and install macOS like on original Mac.

D) Post-Installation
1.
After booting into the system using a USB Flash Drive, open Terminal and run next command:
Code:
sudo spctl --master-disable
Enter admin’s password (it won’t be displayed) on the request and press Enter/Return key.
It allows installing software from ‘Anywhere’.

2. Install Clover to your SSD using the same settings as in step B.3.

3. After Clover finishes, open Finder, go to EFI partition, delete EFI folder and clean the Trash.
Unzip attached EFI_POST file and copy-paste new EFI folder to the EFI partition.

It’s configured for 12-core i9 7920X and Nvidia card.

If you are using another CPU, replace TSCAdjustReset.kext in EFI/EFI/CLOVER/kexts/Other and config.plist in EFI/EFI/CLOVER by corresponding to your CPU files from CPU_kext folder from EFI_POST file (folder 8 is for 8-core i7 7820X, folder 10 is for 10-core i9 7900X etc.)
If you are using two Nvidia cards or Vega 56/64 card, delete SSDT-X299A-Nvidia.aml from EFI/EFI/CLOVER/ACPI/patched and copy-paste SSDT-X299A-Nvidia2.aml or SSDT-X299A-Vega56.aml/SSDT-X299A-Vega64.aml, respectively, from EFI_POST file to EFI/EFI/CLOVER/ACPI/patched.
If you are using AMD card, uncheck ‘nvda_drv=1’ in Boot and ‘NvidiaWeb’ in System Parameters in the config.plist (open it via Clover Configurator.app)

AO7AEVvT0aBEYxa1_x881XRv33YV_2UzKEuSJexBax7Gw8YSweq_yEdanRT9WK6VN6k_Mk_t8Q1m-X2MXoM4d7Kh1foT7mbzvp3QW1bqrc3yYz4C9ccFb0z-Ls5sJfZTrizwBdJD
xZIiDedefKTbqKohDXarh0SD99wWHWIxITCVL0nxy1MAeloH2CCZVsF7KpWXwn2SQTuKiX8LMI_wOTy0jiSfp9AoxrIuO-fV3DKQGhPh9eZmpUocA4dzBdZREhbp8w2t5beQXjG2
If you are not using Thunderbolt or TP-Link Archer T9E AC1900, delete SSDT-X299A-TB3HP.aml or SSDT-X299A-WIFI.aml, respectively, from EFI/EFI/CLOVER/ACPI/patched.
4. Attached config.plist doesn’t have unique keys (required for correct iMessage working), so you need to implement it.

Open config.plist in CloverConfigurator.app and jump to SMBIOS.
Choose iMacPro1,1 in the drop-down menu.
fesck14rn_bdPemAWw-Ea7YoUdBbmIBWtuVRHSEPJ9hg4ajV8zbvn2oKR48a5Geg6BbpUn4OHMOfs4wmWX1g42fvVzkq4lMJfv4s2cvd4xMq0ImXQ0rbLf3hhkn_HfyGOQLsHd9r

7HRvcMzqn9kCXfjuxrbwboLml2olpJx2bWNhaeHAvpFWu_SAgNllWtixbl5Pb06X67Q34b2GnJmam9wuDxvPJxvozUEOzNmgNLNHPgR6apaiQoKjoaDeztGJ9gMPzXDkHfqGGjUF

Hit 4-6 times each of two ‘Generate Now’ buttons to get unique keys.
Save changes and close CloverConfigurator.app.

NOTE: for more detailed iMessage guide, check this thread.

5. Reboot w/o a USB Flash drive.

6. For Nvidia card, you need to install Nvidia Web drivers with SIP enabled.

On the Clover boot screen, go to Options under disk’s list.
Choose System Parameters and then System Integrity Protection.
Uncheck all items.
JZ3kIBQ0dUiY0cg8kp1u4BHOTfoDdWy6wYoevtwn80m9r8RO-JteTeHU99_7zVR73aNffAuTPBiaZ704Cv8px_X0DohTql42RcIzEICehntOnchAiZza5ojhUUUflBv4SBf6Nze6

Mkck7-agtHLh0g8_q-8eJzEeN3ondyXw4l8MGvIj1lk1WxX3iDvUzHELtRwJ4i9seRWX8dOUR4CdKOUl02IX43dZsRL2syM8vSGI-NHzu9bdfOK8kzME4yqSo59_itZ7bQ1T6ALj
Return to the main window, choose macOS partition and press Enter.

Download drivers:
https://images.nvidia.com/mac/pkg/387/WebDriver-387.10.10.10.40.105.pkg

Double click on this file and proceed with the installation.

You will see a pop-up window (System Extension Blocked).

Click “Open Security Preferences".
Click on the "Allow" button near the message "System software from developer "NVIDIA Corporation" was blocked from loading".
Return to the drivers' installation window, wait for complete and click Restart.

Congratulation.
The installation is finished. You should see something like this in the PCI tab in the System Report:
ZAb9ON_LHoo7iUGjU_cqBVgZTjsYeN-sTSjbn64KtCfORS3wYf2GKc68cslIzRMKVHLgF3q6i3NaRfbN2hSnHLjB6zC9326DsElFT6W5vnl1OqrHcLPLyC2T6PHvdb6zM9QcOlMh


Special thanks to:
  • @macandrea for createInstaller.sh script
  • @kgp for original EFI-folder and SSDTs files
Update 08.02.19: EFI_PRE and EFI_POST with Clover v4871 files and new LiLu and AppleALC kexts. Minor fix to SSDT for 2 Nvidia cards.
Update 21.02.19: EFI_PRE and EFI_POST with Clover v4881 files and new LiLu, Clover Configurator.
Update 26.03.19: EFI_PRE and EFI_POST with Clover v4903 files and new LiLu, AppleALC, WhateverGreen kexts.
 

Attachments

  • bios.CMO.zip
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  • createInstaller.sh.zip
    1.8 KB · Views: 293
  • EFI_Mounter.zip
    33.4 KB · Views: 368
  • CloverConfigurator.zip
    3.5 MB · Views: 424
  • EFI_PRE.zip
    3.2 MB · Views: 713
  • EFI_POST.zip
    3.2 MB · Views: 758
Last edited:
You mention the source for the XHC USB kext, but you do not mention where createInstaller.sh, the EFI-Folder and all SSDTs originate from. Please add references!

Thanks in advance,

KGP
 
NOTE for Mojave:
All files are compatible and ready for Mojave. For more info, please use @kgp's guide for 10.14.
Use the attached file (from the @kgp's thread) for downloading the distributive and the updated command for step B.2:
Code:
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/USB --nointeraction

Update 08.02.19: replaced the file with the new one for 10.14.3
Update 21.02.19: added the link to @kgp's original guide for 10.14
Update 26.03.19: replaced the file with the new one for 10.14.4
Update 22.05.19: replaced the file with the new one for 10.14.5 (thx for the updated file to @Il.F )
Update 23.07.19: replaced the file with the new one for 10.14.6 (thx for the updated file to @Il.F )
 

Attachments

  • createInstaller.sh-10.14.6.zip
    1.3 KB · Views: 165
Last edited:
NOTE for Mojave:
All files are compatible and ready for Mojave.
Just use the attached file for downloading the distributive and the updated command for step B.2:
Code:
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/USB --nointeraction

Update 08.02.19: replace the file with new one for 10.14.3

original soure createInstaller-10.14.3.sh.zip taken from https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/...ful-build-extended-guide.255082/#post-1769074
 
I am attempting this build except with an i9 9820x 10 core processor. I have followed all the steps including the 10 core kext replacements, but I'm not sure if my processor being 98xx vs 79xx makes a difference. This is where my boot stops. Any ideas?

CPU frequency at 4000 MHz, RAM is DDR4 3000MHz and GPU is AMD Radeon Vega 64 Frontier 16gb 2048 bit
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0604.jpg
    IMG_0604.jpg
    530.1 KB · Views: 461
Last edited:
I am attempting this build except with an i9 9820x 10 core processor. I have followed all the steps including the 10 core kext replacements, but I'm not sure if my processor being 98xx vs 79xx makes a difference. This is where my boot stops. Any ideas?
You need to have your hardware profile filled out as per rules (the ones you agreed to when signing up here)
 
I am attempting this build except with an i9 9820x 10 core processor. I have followed all the steps including the 10 core kext replacements, but I'm not sure if my processor being 98xx vs 79xx makes a difference. This is where my boot stops. Any ideas?

CPU frequency at 4000 MHz, RAM is DDR4 3000MHz and GPU is AMD Radeon Vega 64 Frontier 16gb 2048 bit
Hey, I haven't tested any i7/i9 9xxx on this board, so can't tell you what's wrong.
But new CPUs require at least 1602 BIOS.
It might be the source of the issue because BIOS 1602 and 1704, according to other messages in the original @kgp's thread, caused issues with macOS.
Try to enable "Above 4G Decoding" in BIOS or change the CPU to i7/i9 7xxx.
 
Hey, I haven't tested any i7/i9 9xxx on this board, so can't tell you what's wrong.
But new CPUs require at least 1602 BIOS.
It might be the source of the issue because BIOS 1602 and 1704, according to other messages in the original @kgp's thread, caused issues with macOS.
Try to enable "Above 4G Decoding" in BIOS or change the CPU to i7/i9 7xxx.

That makes sense. I'm starting to hear that mac os doesn't support the 9xxx chips very well yet, but I'll try the 4G setting first before I switch to the 7920.
 
I was unable to get the 9820 to work, so I replaced it with the 7920, but now I am getting the attached screen. Any ideas?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0616.jpg
    IMG_0616.jpg
    91.3 KB · Views: 382
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