Help on Deciding Hardware for First Hackintosh Build

[Dlauth]

Im just getting into the Hackintosh world and am trying to compile a list of hardware for my first build.

I am in a bind if I should choose a Core 2 Duo or an i7. I really do not need the power of an i7 but it would be nice to have this machine for a while. Would it be easier to get the i7 or core 2 duo to work?

 

I also want a motherboard that will require the least amount of hacking. Seems the Gigabytes are the way to go, Looks like EP45 for the core 2 is the best and the EX58 for the i7. Any input?

Ive been reading and it looks like the easiest and most reliable way to install osx is using Empire EFI and using the retail CD, is this true?

I would like to dual boot with OSX and Win 7 with 2 hard drives.

 

I already have some of these parts, so this will make the setup cheaper. (PSU, GPU, Memory, Cd-Drive)

 

Core 2 Duo Build

Total is $356 for this build using the parts I already have

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWi...Number=11000594

 

i7 Build

Total is $758.95 for this build using the parts I already Have

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWi...Number=13911212

 

 

Any input is appreciated.

 

Thanks

[Mackilroy]

I would go with Kakewalk for an install method – that's what I did with my Core i7. Also, be certain to confirm that your RAM works – with that Core 2 build you've got DDR2 RAM, and with the Core i7 it's got DDR3.

 

Personally I wouldn't go for the Core 2 build at all – LGA 775 is a dead-end these days. Still a decent system, but the Core i7 is much faster at many tasks and will be more future-proof.

 

Or you could take a third path and build an LGA 1156-based Core i5 system. I specced out a complete system (well, sans monitor, keyboard and mouse) for ~$650. With a Core i5-750, even.

[Dlauth]

I just want to get into the Hackintosh with minimal effort, then I can learn while I have it running about how everything is modded. Also, I want to keep it as vanilla as possible.

 

Did you follow a guide for your install?

What is the build for your i5 setup?

[Mackilroy]

As I said, I used Kakewalk. It was quite minimal as far as setup goes.

 

I currently don't have it publicly available, so I'll list the parts here:

 

Case - Antec Sonata III

Motherboard - P55M-UD2

GPU - 9400 GT

CPU - Core i5-750

RAM - G.Skill Ripjaws 4 GB

HDD - 320 GB

Optical - Lite-on DVD burner

[Dlauth]

I have another question,

Ive watched a few videos of the install with an i7 and the ex58-ud5 mobo

I am wondering how do you get the kexts for the onboard lan connection to work?

I do not have access to another mac.

[Mackilroy]

I didn't do anything – my Ethernet ports worked as soon as I finished installing OS X.

[Dlauth]

Im going with an i7 for sure now, just need to figure out what mobo. Its going to be Gigabyte, just do not know what model to use

 

Choices

Try to find a x58-ud5 ($280 on amazon)

Ex58a-ud3r

Ex58a-ud5

 

What motherboard would be the best choice? Im leaning more towards the x58a's because they are more readily available, just wondering on the difference on OSX installs on them.

 

Thanks

[neil43]

Or: If you are going i7 you also have a choice between i7-900 series an X58 mother boards and i7-800 series which let you use P55 or H55 mother boards.

 

I have built and still own a i7-920 on a GB EX58-US3R with 6GB memory and two i7-860s on GB P55M-UD2 one with 8GB and one with 4GB.

 

I recommend the P55 over the X58. With the P55 you can run i3, i5, and i7-8xx CPUs.

 

neil.

[Mackilroy]

The X58 is more high-end – the P55 and H55 with an i7-860 are definitely more mainstream. If you're dead-set on using an X58 motherboard, the X58A-UD3R will be fine.

[scallywag]

Hi

I'm also planning on building a Hackintosh.

til now i tried to get an overview on this complex topic and kind of managed to set up potential Hackintosh System.

Here's my shoppinglist so far:

 

MB MSI P55-GD65

CPU Intel i5 750

GPU GTX285 (any hints on this one?)

RAM Corsair XMS3 Dominator 8GB (4x2)

PSU Antec TP 650 (what would you recommend? or will the TP550 be enough?)

SSD Kingston V Series 64GB (For OSX only)

HDD Samsung Spinpoint F3 250GB (for Win 7)

HDD Samsung EcoGreen F2 1TB (both)

 

Whats your opinion on this setup? what would be the best way to get OSX working?

 

thanks

Thomas

[Mackilroy]

If you can find a Gigabyte motherboard, go for it - they have the best support. The GTX 285 should work, but I have an ATI card personally so I'm not certain what you'd have to do to make it work. The 550W PSU might be enough, but the 650W will give you some breathing room.

[Dlauth]

I do not know what I was thinking, the P55 looks to be the way to go. Only downside is that it is dual channel instead of triple, correct? What is the most compatible and recommended P55 motherboard?

[Mackilroy]

Like I said, the X58 is a perfectly fine platform for a hackintosh (that's what I have). LGA 1156 is just cheaper.

 

Dlauth, just a tiny bit of research would do you wonders: OS X Wiki.

[Dlauth]

There is not that much documentation on P55a motherboards on that database. I went ahead and purchased the Gigabyte P55a-UD3 with the i5 750.

[Thanh Chu]

Hi guys

Don't know why I can't start a new topic.

I'm planning to build a budget PC for my Hackintosh. I do sound recording, playing instruments.. Logic user - to be short. So I'm very afraid of firewire drivers are not gonna work on the system

I want to spend 500 $ for this machine, not to include speakers, LCD monitors, PSU, Computer case and HDD because I do have already.

So the problem is the CPU, Motherboard, RAM and GPU, I think.

Could you suggest the possible hardware list that I can apply for my machine ?