Compatible Hardware and Upgrades

[revlimiter]

Hi,

I have a couple of questions when it comes to compatible hardware for Hackintosh systems. I am running an AMD Phenom setup on my Hackintosh as I type, so I have some experience with "hacking" mine, however I also realize that due to the AMD-chipset architecture I am unable to do (safe) Apple Software Updates due to the limitations of the Intel-based kernel. This is fine, because I am looking into buying an Intel CPU in the near-future - most likely a Core i7 920.

 

This is the setup I am looking into right now:

Core i7 920 2.66Ghz

6 GB Corsair DDR3 1600MHz SDRAM

ASUS P6X58D Premium logic board

nVidia GeForce GTS 250 1024MB

 

I see this user is running an identical setup with more Triple Channel DDR3 RAM:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoQ40abWUDY

 

However, I would like to know if I can upgrade the graphics card to play games on Windows 7 (using Dual Boot) and if so, which one will be compatible with the hardware? I see that the Mac Pros have the option of coming equipped with the Radeon HD 4870. Does this mean I can plug this card into my motherboard and have it run on bootup perfectly without a modified kext file? Also, I'm not even sure if the HD 4870 is "better" then the GTS 250...

 

Also, if I am to update OSX10.6 Snow Leopard to OSX10.7 in the future, will be hardware most likely be compatible? And if so, what is the reasoning? Am I at the complete mercy of patched kexts for 10.7, or will my system be safe to update (with the very same .kext files) since I will be running "vanilla" OSX on an Intel-based chipset with no patched kernel?

 

I would like to get this figured out first before I invest money into these rather expensive pieces of top-grade hardware.

 

Thanks!

[Mackilroy]

Yes, you can upgrade the GPU. Look here for a list of compatible GPUs and how to install them.

 

You could probably use Apple's 4870, but I wouldn't. For $200 less (at least here in the USA) you could get a 4870 from Newegg with twice as much VRAM. The 4870 is definitely better than the GTS 250, at any rate.

 

The processor at least should be compatible with 10.7, as Apple uses the Core i7 (though the 860) in the iMac. RAM as well, though I couldn't say about the motherboard. Gigabyte is highly regarded, you might look at what they offer (specifically the EX58-UD series).

 

If there's a Microcenter relatively close to you, you should pick up your 920 there – they sell it for $179.99