Is a 6-monitor system possible?

[RGBMan]

Is it possible to build a Yosemite or Mavericks hackintosh desktop that will successfully run 6 monitors without constant tinkering?

 

If so, would one of Mr. D's systems here work, or is there another build list you'd recommend?

 

I currently use a 6-monitor Win7x64 system running from two dual-monitor cards and dual-monitor MOBO connection. I want to build (or have built) a hackintosh to drive the same 6 22-inch monitors (preferably without using video on on the MOBO).

 

I've searched throughout these forums and numerous other sites, but I couldn't find an answer.

 

Thanks.

[jamiethemorris]

Your best bet is Nvidia cards. As far as I know all the GTX 7xx and 6xx have all ports working (although I think DVI doesn't work on the 780 ti, but I could be wrong about that). No idea about the Maxwell cards. the GTX 980 cards have a ton of ports but I haven't found anything on whether or not they all work. AMD cards are asking for trouble because I don't think any of them have all ports working on them right now (reliably at least, seems to be hit or miss depending on manufacturer and requires patching the framebuffer).

 

BTW all those builds in that guide are pretty outdated. Why don't you try hacking your current WIndows machine and see if you can get it to work?

[RGBMan]

Thanks for the tips.

 

Is there a more current build guide I could consult? I'm not a hardware guy, honestly. Everytime I mess with hardware or major OS-level work, I screw it up. I'm great with software, just not hardware. So, I'm not looking to build a hackintosh for a hobby.

 

I need a production machine built. I'm tired of Windows' OS-rot and pains in the ass. I love the simplicity of my Macs (the OS, I mean), but I have hardware needs beyond the capability of any Mac--namely the 6 monitors. Even a Mac Pro can't deliver enough graphic power to 6 monitors, and it's inappropriately expensive. The only way to get a system that meets my needs is a Hackintosh.

 

I've been researching them for years, and very intently for the last two months in anticipation of the new system I want before year's end. Yet I can't find anything for a non-hardware guy like me. I've tried asking local computer shops and Craigslist for someone to build the system for me, but no one in either seems to have a clue. From every forum I ask on I get "build it yourself! it's fun!" but no recent, relevant list of known-working hardware that fits my 6-monitor requirement.

 

Even when I get the parts, I'll have to resort to finding someone on Craigslist who can assemble the damn thing for me. I screw up hardware assembly every time.

 

I'm really frustrated. All over these and other forums I see so many people proclaiming how happy they are with their Hackintoshs, how easy they've become to build, yet I can't mine built.

[jamiethemorris]

The easiest thing to do is to find a motherboard you like, and then Google that with the word hackintosh. Also look in the Tutorials forum and reference the [Guide] and [success] threads. Then pick out the processor, GPU, and all that.

 

If you are set on having someone else build it - order the parts and have a shop or knowledgeable put it together. They don't need to know it's going to be a hackintosh or know anything about hackintoshes. 

 

Back to the 6-monitor requirement - I understand your struggle with this, I'm having the same problem just trying to find a new card that will run 3 monitors, let alone 6... Since most people only run 1 or 2 monitors this information isn't easy to find. Again, Nvidia is the way to go. You can also combine it with integrated graphics the way you are describing which should also work fine as long as integrated graphics are set to primary.

 

I understand not wanting to deal with the hardware part of it, and if you are good with the software aspect I don't really think that's a problem. Since you said you've been researching it for a long time, I think you know roughly what to expect as far as installation goes, but you will probably run into a few problems along the way and the important thing is to not get discouraged.

 

One more thing I should mention... Mac OS X was (obviously) never meant to do this. There is a chance that sooner or later your install will break and not boot or you might have unusual problems. The most important rule of hackintoshes IMO is always, ALWAYS have a clone. Or 2. Or 3. Or 3 clones and 2 time machine backups... You get the picture. With the kind of work you do I'm sure you are familiar with this but it's worth mentioning. So be prepared for potential issues and the time needed to fix them. Since it sounds like you will be using this machine for work-related stuff make sure you can get it done on Windows in a worst-case scenario.

 

Good luck!