Want to build a hackintoch

[Zero D]

Hi everybody,

 

I recently want to build a hackintosh. I was reading the forum here and still feel lost, especially in finding the right part. I want to basically build a media centre for my LCD TV. I want to build a small hackintoch like the Mac Mini.

 

So is it possable I can build it in a small computer case? If so what do you recommend?

Also I noticed everybody is getting a Gigabyte motherboard. I can't find the one you have used. The only Gigabyte board is GA-G31M-ES2L, which I can afford. I want to know if I can use the motherboard? Or can I use any Gigabyte board?

 

Also Intel CPU, I can use any Intel chip?

 

Now want do you recommend that I should get for my parts? So I can build it.

 

Pleae help me out here and thank you.

[Evildemon989]

Also I noticed everybody is getting a Gigabyte motherboard. I can't find the one you have used. The only Gigabyte board is GA-G31M-ES2L, which I can afford. I want to know if I can use the motherboard? Or can I use any Gigabyte board?

 

Some things you have to look at when buying a board are:

• Who makes the board. Generally for hackitoshes, many people pick gigabyte. I will be too.
  
• What's the Northbridge Chipset? P45, P55, X58, etc.
  
• Form Factor. Since you look like you'd want to be building something small, you'll probably want Micro ATX.
  
• You also have to look at the sound chipset, and LAN chipset among other ones. Get your kext's appropriately.
  

Now, I'd recommend you get the Gigabyte GA-P55M-UD2. Many people have had success with that board(It's the board I'm going to buy), and if you check this blog out, tony has created a guide from start to finish for that board(The only thing you would have to change would be the graphics card kext.).

 

Also Intel CPU, I can use any Intel chip?

I'm not so sure about ANY CPU, but I do believe that any of the Core i5/i7's will work. If your buying a media center with the board I just suggested, I'd get a Core i5-750 to go with it. It will also last you longer.

 

Now want do you recommend that I should get for my parts? So I can build it.

Well, do you have a budget?

 

Also, http://www.newegg.com/ is your friend.

[rwillett]

Hi everybody,

 

I recently want to build a hackintosh. I was reading the forum here and still feel lost, especially in finding the right part. I want to basically build a media centre for my LCD TV. I want to build a small hackintoch like the Mac Mini.

 

So is it possable I can build it in a small computer case? If so what do you recommend?

Also I noticed everybody is getting a Gigabyte motherboard. I can't find the one you have used. The only Gigabyte board is GA-G31M-ES2L, which I can afford. I want to know if I can use the motherboard? Or can I use any Gigabyte board?

 

Also Intel CPU, I can use any Intel chip?

 

Now want do you recommend that I should get for my parts? So I can build it.

 

Pleae help me out here and thank you.

 

I 've built a Hackintosh using the G31M-ES2L Motherboard V1.0 Bios is F8, Intel E6300 2.8Ghz Dual Core CPU, Asus 9400GT graphics card, Lite-On DVD burner, 4GB RAM, Via firewire card (can't remember model no)

 

I used this guide http://www.infinitemac.com/f57/guide-retai...for-g31m-t3672/ to install and it works very well.

 

Sound is internal and just worked, I used the Realtek drivers downloaded from the Realtek site and they seem to work well. The graphics card is fine as well.

 

Three issues are:

 

1. After booting, I normally end up with a black screen and a mouse cursor but no screen. This is resolved by setting the Energy saver on the screen to one minute (before rebooting), after one minute the display is cleared, press any key and the screen is there. Weird but I can live with a one minute longer reboot cycle.

 

2. Sleep and hibernate don't work out of the box but the PowerSleep application (in the docs above) seem to sort the problem out.

 

3. I cannot use the PCI slot next to the PCI-E graphics card. No idea why, the BIOS recognises the card but mac OS will not. This was a pain as I *thought* I needed to use an additional Ethernet card and not the on-board one for Bonjour. The Realtek drivers sorted this out so I use onboard Ethernet.

 

I run with a 32 bit kernel as there is zero (well almost zero) advantage of running 64 bit kernel. 64 bit apps still work with 32 bit kernels, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

 

I have a Logitech HD Webcam which just works, I use a high end KVM as well and that works.

 

Contrary to what people will tell you the onboard video will work. It is not perfect and is not fast but just in case you need it, you can boot and run. I've done it.

 

Use the guide as it's pretty damm good (to be honest it's excellent). I take no credit for it as somebody else did all the hard work.

 

Rob.

[Zero D]

Thanks, guys for your advise. To answer Evildemon989 question. My Budget is 500 in Canadian dollers. Maybe I'll spend more if I have too. Basically my goal is to build a Hackintosh Mini. However if I can't then I still would like to build a regular Hackintosh.

[rwillett]

Thanks, guys for your advise. To answer Evildemon989 question. My Budget is 500 in Canadian dollers. Maybe I'll spend more if I have too. Basically my goal is to build a Hackintosh Mini. However if I can't then I still would like to build a regular Hackintosh.

 

You have very, very little chance to build a Mac Mini for any sensible budget. The size of the mini makes most (all?) motherboards unusable. I've opened and upgraded my Mini (it runs Snow Leopard server) and it's very, very tight full of custom parts and fittings. The disks and CPU's are standard BUT the cooling is clever and custom. You could try and utilise a laptop board to make it small, cool and work but thats a lot of effort.

 

I would focus on building a small tower. My 2.8Ghz machine is great, fast and reliable. I've spent more money on quiet fans and PSU's and it's silent now (though still in a crappy £10 case).

 

Rob.

[Evildemon989]

I would focus on building a small tower. My 2.8Ghz machine is great, fast and reliable.

 

This is what I would do. You can get a 2.93GHz dual core off of newegg for about 120 nowadays. Use a mATX board, and a smal tower and it'd be fairly small.

[Zero D]

This is what I would do. You can get a 2.93GHz dual core off of newegg for about 120 nowadays. Use a mATX board, and a smal tower and it'd be fairly small.

 

I was looking at newegg.com..However I live in Canada, so I can't get orders from them. So are there any Canadian's out there who have built a Hackintosh on a small tower? I would like to know what parts did you get and how much you spent on.

 

Also, I was looking at a Shuttle SG45H7 Intel G45 Socket 775. Do you think that be a workable Hackintosh?

[LogicalUser]

As a fellow Canadian, I've got some helpful suggestions.

 

First, Newegg.ca

almost as good prices as the US site + exchange rate

at worst the sales are slightly less of a bargain, and they offer free shipping on heavy items less often. Otherwise, competitive prices

 

Second, NCIX.com/bestdirect.ca/directcanada.com/NXsource/Compu2000/etc..

all are the same company, just different web frontends and prices

 

based out of Vancouver/Richmond so great for west coast shipping, they have many retail stores in lower mainland, and their NCIX.com store currently has a $8.99 shipping deal. Oh, and NCIX price matches other Canadian retailers prices in most situations. (can even pricematch prices from their other websites, LOL)

 

Third, Tigerdirect.ca. IMO the {censored}tiest of the 3 options for someone on the west coast due to shipping times, but occasionally some good deals, and IIRC they also offer a few retail stores in Ontario. I got a pair of Intel E5200s from them for $45 ea last week with free shipping.

 

 

As for the build itself, I have no experience with "mini" hackintoshes.

Everything I've built thus far has used a full sized ATX board, however assuming a mATX tower is "mini" enough for you there really is very little difference. I'd suggest going for a mATX case that will fit a standard ATX power supply & full length video card tho, as mATX-specific PSUs are a ripoff, and half-length PCI video cards are a {censored} to find.

 

I just built a cheapo hackintosh for a buddy;

Intel E6300 2.8ghz CPU ($85)

EP45-UD3L mobo ($90)

Logisys case ($32 including a garbage 480w PSU, which I sold for $15)

400w OCZ stealthXstream PSU ($25 after MIR)

OCZ Vendetta CPU heatsink/fan ($8 after MIR)

SATA dvd burner ($32)

used nvidia 8600GT ($20)

2GB stick of DDR2 ($25)

640GB WD caviar black HD ($55)

 

Everything came from directcanada & NCIX other than the HDs which i got from newegg during their black friday sales.

[flights_of_fantasy]

I want to work in US.But not longer than 2 month.Can I? курсы визажиста косметолога, обучение классическому массажу

Edited July 22, 2013 by flights_of_fantasy