guod Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 I am looking to put together a hackintosh for just about as little money possible. I would like it to have a core2duo, compatible motherboard and I want to be able to run os x for pretty basic functions. I have a hackintosh MSI wind with the Atom processor and it is VEEEERY slow and want something that will actually let me use the computer. So my question is, what is the cheapest core2duo motherboard with a decent core2duo chip? Also, what would be a good budget video card? I have a 32gb ssd that I will be using and may add another hdd later. RAM will not be a big issue as I can get that at any time I have a 500 watt psu so that is also covered. I also have an optical drive I am not looking for the highest specs out there, I just want something that works, feels and will perform like a mac. I just want it to all work without problems with the sound, Ethernet, etc Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/209841-trying-to-buy-a-core2duo-setup-on-the-cheap/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaap Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 This has been hashed over a gazillion times here and there are dozens of threads on cheap Hack builds. That said: Consider that even though cheap these days, the older 775-based systems are on the way out, and buying new now is looking backward, not forward. Whatever you decide to build, make sure you compare the prices with a newer i5 based system and figure out for yourself if it's really 'cheaper' or not to go with socket 775-based hardware. Others here are more up on the newer builds and can give you the skinny on the newer P55/i5 hardware and hackintoshablity. If you do go with socket 775, consider: Gigabyte G31M-ES2L motherboard, or the G41M-ES2L. Each has pros and cons: for example, both run all versions of Leopard, and at least 10.6.1 SL. The G31 is easier to set up (especially for a noob to Hackintosh) and is cheaper, but the newer versions have an incompatible LAN chip, so you must use a PCI network card with it. On the other hand, the G41M has all onboard components working, but it costs a bit more, and is much harder to set up. There are also very few guides for it. (Luckily, DaveVegas made a guide for setting it up recently.) As for the CPU: consider the E6300 dual core pentium. Despite the name it IS the entry-level Core 2 Duo as it's the same chip, just minus 1MB of L2 cache. It also has VT support whereas the low end chips that are actually labled as Core 2 Duo don't. For GPU, I'd recommend sticking with nVidia. Look around this forum for cards others are using succesfully- the lowest end I'd bother with now is probably a 9400GT. There are the newer GT2xx series cards now that are probably the better bang for the buck. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/209841-trying-to-buy-a-core2duo-setup-on-the-cheap/#findComment-1402379 Share on other sites More sharing options...
guod Posted February 2, 2010 Author Share Posted February 2, 2010 thanks for opening my eyes about the dual core chip. I never thought to look at one but after reading some reviews and seeing benchmarks, it seems like that is a very capable chip. As for the motherboard, I have to use a wireless adapter so the onboard NIC is not a very big deal. I have a wireless adapter that I use for my WIND hackintosh and know it works with os x. I am not really looking for a future proof system as it is just going to be more of a toy and not a true workhorse. I will do some work on the computer, but nothing that an i5/i7 or ddr3 will really add to. thanks Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/209841-trying-to-buy-a-core2duo-setup-on-the-cheap/#findComment-1402428 Share on other sites More sharing options...
infinityslate Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 I am looking to put together a hackintosh for just about as little money possible. I would like it to have a core2duo, compatible motherboard and I want to be able to run os x for pretty basic functions. I have a hackintosh MSI wind with the Atom processor and it is VEEEERY slow and want something that will actually let me use the computer. So my question is, what is the cheapest core2duo motherboard with a decent core2duo chip? Also, what would be a good budget video card? I have a 32gb ssd that I will be using and may add another hdd later. RAM will not be a big issue as I can get that at any time I have a 500 watt psu so that is also covered. I also have an optical drive I am not looking for the highest specs out there, I just want something that works, feels and will perform like a mac. I just want it to all work without problems with the sound, Ethernet, etc I have to wonder about this hackintosh frame of mind? Anyway, in reply, you can have a core2 duo processor (2.26 ghz) in a nice small format complete with a motherboard, 160 gig hard disc drive, 2 gigs of high quality RAM, wifi 802b/g/n, bluetooth, a wonderful disc drive that burns any disk type that is commonly available in any office supply or computer store, USB 2.0 firewire a great graphics card and the MAC OSX Snow leopard operating system with unlimited free updates and ninety days of free product support by phone and a one year warrantee all for: the unbelievable low price of $599.00 No loading of software or scrambling for drivers. Just more time to enjoy your computer. Great accessories like slick wireless keyboards and mice and a multitude of intuitive software also available. Sounds too good to be true? But, all available at apple.com. Please look at the Mac Mini. A low cost, high feature machine that can be hooked up to any monitor. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/209841-trying-to-buy-a-core2duo-setup-on-the-cheap/#findComment-1402452 Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricM Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Infinityslate, Gtfo... $599 isnt cheap and especially when I can build a quad core for that much... to have a decent mac mini costs more like $799, which is what I payed for my i5 Quad core build which beats all Imacs and some older 4 core Mac Pros on xbench. Please get experience with hackintosh before you give anyone advice on what to buy. You don't even own one nor have you even seen one I bet... Don't listen to this guy... As for your build, I would highly consider an i3 although it may take a little work to get going... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...5-222-_-Product Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/209841-trying-to-buy-a-core2duo-setup-on-the-cheap/#findComment-1402477 Share on other sites More sharing options...
infinityslate Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 APPLE MINI 2.26GHz : 160GB 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 2GB memory 160GB hard drive1 8x double-layer SuperDrive NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics Mac OS X Snow Leopard Ships: Within 24hrs Free Shipping $599.00 as low as $14.00 a month THESE ARE THE BASIC SPECS THAT I HAVE PASTED INTO THIS REPLY DIRECTLY FROM THE APPLE WEBSITE. my earlier reply wasn't a advertisement for Apple, just a comp for when someone decides to look at what they are paying for a hackintosh along with the time they may spend on a system that would include a product with no formal support. I have read some great threads here and am in the r&d stage of the islate that apple should have unveiled on 1/27. (not only in name but in function) Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/209841-trying-to-buy-a-core2duo-setup-on-the-cheap/#findComment-1402487 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaap Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Keep in mind we're talking about building a Hackintosh, with everything needed (including OS) in the $400 range vs. $600 for the Mac Mini. Now since the OP already has his drives and PSU, he can probably do this in the low $200 range. The Mini is great for what it is, but it's not for everyone, so there's really no need to advertise it. If the OP is familiar with the ins and outs of a Hackintosh (and hacking an Atom notebook is WAY more difficult than hacking a compatible desktop motherboard) then he probably doesn't require a lecture on what is needed to run a Hackintosh vs. a real Apple- especially if the person giving the lecture has no real experience with Hacks. Some of us perfer a full-sized tower system that's expandable, where we can pick out every detail of what parts we want (what CPU, GPU, PSU, amount of RAM, case, number of drives, I/O features, etc. etc.) For many of those people, just spouting 'get a Mini' doesn't always cut it, so just relax and let the guy make up his own mind. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/209841-trying-to-buy-a-core2duo-setup-on-the-cheap/#findComment-1402490 Share on other sites More sharing options...
infinityslate Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Keep in mind we're talking about building a Hackintosh, with everything needed (including OS) in the $400 range vs. $600 for the Mac Mini. Now since the OP already has his drives and PSU, he can probably do this in the low $200 range. The Mini is great for what it is, but it's not for everyone, so there's really no need to advertise it. If the OP is familiar with the ins and outs of a Hackintosh (and hacking an Atom notebook is WAY more difficult than hacking a compatible desktop motherboard) then he probably doesn't require a lecture on what is needed to run a Hackintosh vs. a real Apple- especially if the person giving the lecture has no real experience with Hacks. Some of us perfer a full-sized tower system that's expandable, where we can pick out every detail of what parts we want (what CPU, GPU, PSU, amount of RAM, case, number of drives, I/O features, etc. etc.) For many of those people, just spouting 'get a Mini' doesn't always cut it, so just relax and let the guy make up his own mind. WOW I wonder what GUOD has to say about my gentile suggestion that not all MACS COST $1500. I Think I better go and ice my eye and stitch up my face before you guys get really mad. GOOD LUCK! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/209841-trying-to-buy-a-core2duo-setup-on-the-cheap/#findComment-1402498 Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricM Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Your first reply sounded like it was a bot... Anyways, this is a buying suggestion forum. Get more familar with hacks before you post your advice... this way you can actually give GOOD advice. BTW sounds like your the one whos angry... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/209841-trying-to-buy-a-core2duo-setup-on-the-cheap/#findComment-1402526 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaap Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Geeze dude, don't come off like such a platform zealot. Have you noticed that this is the Buying Thoughts Reviews and Recommendations forum on a forum that's heavy with Hackintosh as well as real Mac uers? You gave your 'recommendation' or was that a platform zealot commandment? No one said anything about $1500. How about let the person make up their own mind? If you want to just shill for Apple, I'm sure there are plenty of places for that. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/209841-trying-to-buy-a-core2duo-setup-on-the-cheap/#findComment-1402527 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogicalUser Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 the Mini is awesome if you need a small form factor. If you couldn't care less what shape/size the machine is, I've built a machine with a much larger/faster HD, a faster & overclockable CPU, beefier GPU, RAM & HD expandability, GPU/CPU upgrade path, etc... all for about $300-350 before OS and zapp's advice seems spot on, the performance out of the entry level i3 & quad-core i5 is the equivalent of Core 2 Duo & Quads that shipped with pricetags 2-3x higher, and the motherboards at the $80-90 price point are more feature rich than they've ever been. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/209841-trying-to-buy-a-core2duo-setup-on-the-cheap/#findComment-1402540 Share on other sites More sharing options...
guod Posted February 3, 2010 Author Share Posted February 3, 2010 Let's all relax. First off, thanks for the replies and ideas. My msi win was actually the barebone unit and required a lot more attention than the actual laptop did. I guess people designed distros for the laptop, not really the nettop. Moving on. While the mac mini is a cheaper mac, it is not what I need or really want. I have these extra parts lying around so I do not need all the parts. After tax, the chip, mobo, gpu, ram and case are about 260. I think it is much cheaper to do that..it should be a rock solid and stable build after its done. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/209841-trying-to-buy-a-core2duo-setup-on-the-cheap/#findComment-1402564 Share on other sites More sharing options...
InSan3inHD Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 hi i am new here, i am looking to build a hackintosh and this is the only topic related to my build. i am looking to build something cheap, duo core maybe quad depending on price and 4gb ram. so i am trying to do as much research as possible. i understand that every build is different but there an outline on site( i havent search but there probably is) so if some1 could point in the right direction. it would be awesome. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/209841-trying-to-buy-a-core2duo-setup-on-the-cheap/#findComment-1404004 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogicalUser Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 hi i am new here, i am looking to build a hackintosh and this is the only topic related to my build. i am looking to build something cheap, duo core maybe quad depending on price and 4gb ram. so i am trying to do as much research as possible. i understand that every build is different but there an outline on site( i havent search but there probably is) so if some1 could point in the right direction. it would be awesome. I've personally provided recommendations on just such a build in at least thirty threads in this particular forum, they just might not be in the last 15 or so commented threads (altho a few are?) There is no overall outline on side, but you are hardly alone in your needs, so this question gets asked one out of every 10 threads or so. I'd suggest browsing back a few pages in this section of the forum, and see what people have to say about builds in the $400 to $700 range. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/209841-trying-to-buy-a-core2duo-setup-on-the-cheap/#findComment-1404070 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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