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Cheap Hackint0sh hardware recommendations

dreamspy
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dreamspy
dreamspy
Posted
Posted

I'm planning to build a cheap Hackint0sh, and looking for some recommendations on which hardware I should go for.

 

I don't need anything fancy, just something to do some Final Cut Pro editing in (video editing), and edit some pictures in Photoshop.

 

If the performance would match a 2008 Macbook Pro 2.4 GHz (my old computer), then I'd be quite happy.

 

Probably what I'm mostly interested in knowing is what Graphic card I should buy.

 

If anyone of you guys out there have built a relatively cheap Hackint0sh, and think it's a good rig then please send me your components list.

 

Easy installation of MacOsX would also be nice, something that takes the smallest amount of maintenance when upgraded etc.

 

Any tips welcome!

 

 

Thanks

Frímann

neil43
neil43
Posted
Posted

Define cheap.

 

$100 for a CPU (i3 530)

$130 for a MB (H55)

$110 for Memory (4GB DDR3)

$40 for Nvidia GF 8400 GS

$50 for HDD

$20 for Optical drive

$100 for case with power

 

$550 plus shipping, tax, SL DVD, keyboard, mouse, LCD etc.

 

This would get you into a system that runs as well as a lot of Quad Core systems and would Geekbench in the low 5000s with no overclocking (as compared to MBP 2.4GH in low to mid 3000s).

 

neil

dreamspy
dreamspy
Posted
  • Author
Posted

That looks pretty good. I'm just wondering, I'we never built a hackint0sh myself so I don't have any experience with how well they run. Is it possible to build a hackint0sh that is safe to update? Then I'm talking about the Software Update in MacOsX. I'we heard from some friends that they always get into trouble when they update, but that was some time ago though.

 

How is it today, is it in general not wize to update your MacOsX when running a Hackint0sh, or are systems getting more stable?

 

I'm actually amazed at how good performance you can get for this little money. Thanks Neil!

 

Btw, are you refering to the Gigabyte H55 motherboard?

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...8-437-_-Product

Bug
Bug
Posted
Posted

So far I haven't had any problems with software update in 10.6 - My system is a full retail install, with only the bare minimum of kexts and extras to boot. The fewer modifications you need to make to the system, the more likely you'll be able to update without problems.

 

It goes without saying to check the board before applying an update too - See if anyone else has tried it and what happened before you go installing it.

neil43
neil43
Posted
Posted
That looks pretty good. I'm just wondering, I'we never built a hackint0sh myself so I don't have any experience with how well they run. Is it possible to build a hackint0sh that is safe to update? Then I'm talking about the Software Update in MacOsX. I'we heard from some friends that they always get into trouble when they update, but that was some time ago though.

 

How is it today, is it in general not wize to update your MacOsX when running a Hackint0sh, or are systems getting more stable?

 

I'm actually amazed at how good performance you can get for this little money. Thanks Neil!

 

Btw, are you refering to the Gigabyte H55 motherboard?

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...8-437-_-Product

 

Yes Gigabyte H55, you could also look at this one at newegg. And for CPUs check out the MicroCenter.

 

Well if this is your first hack, you will need patience as this can be a real time sink. Generally, I would recommend that you start with a single hard drive, partition into 3 or 4 20GB partitions. Use Carbon Copy Cloner and keep cloned copies of working installations. Use a clone to check out changes (always leave your self a way to recover). Also, recommend you read everything on TonyMacX86's blog and forum; his [url="http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/279450-why-insanelymac-does-not-support-tonymacx86/"]#####[/url] and [url="http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/279450-why-insanelymac-does-not-support-tonymacx86/"]#####[/url] tools are very good (maybe the best single set of s/w tools around). If you have a problem, use the search function and you will find the experience of those that have already encountered the problem (also use a bit of reason as not all advice is good advice). Backup your work (clone), keep notes, proceed with caution. Have fun.

 

neil

dreamspy
dreamspy
Posted
  • Author
Posted
Yes Gigabyte H55, you could also look at this one at newegg. And for CPUs check out the MicroCenter.

 

Well if this is your first hack, you will need patience as this can be a real time sink. Generally, I would recommend that you start with a single hard drive, partition into 3 or 4 20GB partitions. Use Carbon Copy Cloner and keep cloned copies of working installations. Use a clone to check out changes (always leave your self a way to recover). Also, recommend you read everything on TonyMacX86's blog and forum; his [url="http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/279450-why-insanelymac-does-not-support-tonymacx86/"]#####[/url] and [url="http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/279450-why-insanelymac-does-not-support-tonymacx86/"]#####[/url] tools are very good (maybe the best single set of s/w tools around). If you have a problem, use the search function and you will find the experience of those that have already encountered the problem (also use a bit of reason as not all advice is good advice). Backup your work (clone), keep notes, proceed with caution. Have fun.

 

neil

 

These sound like good tips, thanks!

 

So getting a motherboard that needs the fewest amount of kext's sounds like a good advice. Know if this H55 motherboard needs alot of those?

 

reg

Frímann

  • 2 weeks later...
tyler22
tyler22
Posted
Posted

Hi everyone,

 

The forums would not let me create a new topic. I am just gonna post in this topic, being it looks like it is resolved.

 

I am new to the whole Mac OSX world (been a Windows person for all my life), I just started experimenting with OSX. Installed Snow Leopard on my Dell mini 9, and am very pleased with the upgrade.

 

I want to put OSX on my desktop now, but need some guidance. First of all, here are my specs:

 

Motherboard: ASUS P5N32SLI DELUXE

 

CPU: Intel Q6600 Socket 775

 

Memory: 4 GB DDR2 800

 

1 SATA HARD DRIVE

 

1 IDE DVD BURNER

 

 

I tried installing 10.6 on it awhile back and was getting a “thread” error on install. I assumed my motherboard was not compatible.

 

Could someone suggest the best motherboard available that support OSX, which would work with my current hardware? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

  • 4 weeks later...
highwaytrucker
highwaytrucker
Posted
Posted

775 for me

 

If you go to newegg.com and read the 500 pluss reviews on this board

you will see it's a "Hackintosh" choice of MB's

 

not only because its cheep but because its a overclockable micro ATX 2.6 @ 3 gig stable

the Bios is ready to go (Tweek it later) with sata

 

GIGABYTE G31M-ES2L .........$56.99 OR (G41M-ES2L LAN WORKING OOB)

INTEL E5300 .....................$64.99

2 GIG DDR2...................... $52.99

BFG G6 450 P/S................ $34.99

650 GIG SATA WD BLACK HD $59.99

LG DVD COMBO.................. $19.99

CHEAP CASE..................... $19.99

 

TOLTAL.............................$310.00

 

 

Never made a hackintosh before in my life

 

Found "SnowOSX3.6.iso" by "Kent93" on http://www.demonoid.com/

 

Also Read this here:

http://www.insanelymac.com/2009/11/snowosx...o-for-intel-pc/

 

**********ONE DISK DOES IT ALL***********

 

The new version

 

grey_loader.gif

of the assembly for single-layer DVD, which is built onthe basis of Retail Snow Leopard 10.6 + Update 10.6.2 + Safari 4.04. Anassembly can be installed on GUID, and at the Mbr.

Extras. information: from the assembly removed all packages with drivers for printers, AdditionalSpeechVoices, other languages

Title: Mac OS x Snow leopard Universal v3.6 (10.6.2)

Year: 2009

Version: 3.6

Platform: PC

Language: English + Russian

Medicine: Not required

Size: 4.42 Gb

The contents of the folder Customise

- PC EFI 9.4 - boot-9-4 by Netkas

or choice

- PC EFI 10.5 - Chameleon 2 RC3 (r658) + PC EFI 10.5 by Netkas

- NullCPUPM - blocker (disabler) for IntelCPUPowerManagement

- PlatformUUID - Error 35 fix

- FakeSMC

- IOATA Kernel Panic fix - 32/64-bit IOATAFamily.kext from Leo 10.5.8 (compiled by Slice)

- EvOreboot - Restart and Shutdown fix

- EvOSpeedStep - Power Management for Core i7

- EvOenabler - ATI video injector

- SMBIOSResolver - only for PC EFI 9.4!!!

- Legacy AHCI - 32/64-bit Legacy kext for Intel AHCI (SATA)

- Legacy ATA - 32/64-bit Legacy kext for Intel ATA (IDE)

- Legacy JMicron ATA - 32/64-bit Legacy kext for JMicron ATA (IDE)

- PS / 2 - kekst inte***ce PS / 2

- Rosetta - support for legacy applications

- ATools - a folder with a set of office utilities and drivers

System requirements: PC with a processor Intel SSSE3 (not to be confused with SSE3!)

 

 

WOW......up and running Snow Leo in 10 min from one download

Just tweaking sound and resolving Lan

 

 

 

Hope this helps

 

Regards Highwaytrucker

 

www.highwaytrucker.com

MaLd0n
MaLd0n
Posted
Posted

GA-G31M-ES2L

 

Pentium Dual Core E5300

 

NVIDIA 9500 512 MB/128 bit - cost benefit

 

...

 

use retail

 

[url="http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/279450-why-insanelymac-does-not-support-tonymacx86/"]#####[/url], HackBoot, Empire Efi...

 

Overclock

 

http://yfrog.com/f/6rsemttulosxp

Zaap
Zaap
Posted
Posted
Graphics is built on MoBo....

The onboard graphics doesn't have hardware excel support in OSX- no drivers, therefore no QE/CI or proper resolution support. It's like using Windows in safe mode- not even half the real user experience.

 

I'd recommend a cheap nVidia PCIe graphics card if you want the full OSX experience. IE: 8400GS, 9400GT, 9500GT, 9800GT, GT 2xx- etc...

 

Otherwise, nice system for the price.

enochpc
enochpc
Posted
Posted

I would recommend, although the graphics might not be quite what you want, Dell Inspiron 1525. You can get a new one for cheap on ebay (sub $200 last I checked) and it's a smooth install with the correct guide. I used the Mac your PC Boot123 method for a retail 10.6 install, one kext has to be deleted and restored for all updates. Otherwise it's smooth sailing. As in my sig, mine has 3gb ram, a core 2 duo at 1.8ghz, wifi, cardreader, audio, everything works, and it's faster than my windows machines for day to day tasks.

 

Just my two cents.

MaLd0n
MaLd0n
Posted
Posted
I think i read on this forum from "Zaap" or "Mald0n" that the GA P35-DS3

MpBo is the most compatable for "Snow Leo" dont know what the price is or

if its still available.............anyone?

 

I got this one

is one of the most compatible

I can not find more of this mother board :)

 

The GA G31 or GA G41 is also very compatible

 

:)

HELP111
HELP111
Posted
Posted
The onboard graphics doesn't have hardware excel support in OSX- no drivers, therefore no QE/CI or proper resolution support. It's like using Windows in safe mode- not even half the real user experience.

 

I'd recommend a cheap nVidia PCIe graphics card if you want the full OSX experience. IE: 8400GS, 9400GT, 9500GT, 9800GT, GT 2xx- etc...

 

Otherwise, nice system for the price.

 

hi, building a hackintosh with a GIGABYTE G31M-ES2L.

looking at one of these graphics cards, Does it matter who makes the chip or how much memory is on it?

highwaytrucker
highwaytrucker
Posted
Posted

:P Look here for compatable Video cards

http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/HCL_10.6.3

 

 

if you can afford it then the best would be a 9800 GT by XFX

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...0-489-_-Product

 

Are you buying the G31 or did you already buy it?

 

If not maybe go with the G41 because it supports 8 gig ram and has 1 PCIe 2.0 slot

 

Also audio & LAN work OOB :P

 

 

 

Regards Highwaytrucker

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