Hackintosh from Start to Finish (Part 2): Picking your Hardware

If you missed the first part in my series, be sure to watch that first. I say this because the decision to build a hackintosh isn't a light one. You want to really make sure that this is a world you want to get yourself in to. You can watch the first part of the series by clicking here. Assuming that you've watched that video, let's move on to picking out the perfect hardware.

Before you start shopping around for hardware, think about the hardware that you really need. For example, if you simply want to browse the web, sync your iPhone, and browse photos in iPhoto, then there's no need to buy a Core i7 system with 12GB of memory. You'd be fine with a Core i3 and 4GB of memory in that scenario. However, if you're a person like me that uses their computer for HD video editing, casual gaming, and multi-tasking, then a core i7 system might be right for you. Bottom line: Don't spend more than you need to! Let's take a closer look at things to look for when buying your hardware.

  Processors

• AMD chips don't work, so don't ask!
• Any Intel core i'X' Chip will work great, including the 6-Core 980x! Sandy Bridge is supported and works great, no word on Ivy Bridge yet.
• Xeon chips work as long as you get the right motherboard
• I personally own and recommend the Core i7 over any other chip (if you need the power)
• Third party cooling; Stock cooling isn't that great.
• Get the right socket, make sure it fits in your case.
• Some older CPU's work, others don't. I don't recommend using an old cpu.
• Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Duo should work, but you'll probably run into problems with the motherboard.
• Not sure about Pentium CPU's, You're on your own for those.

 Motherboards

• Intel motherboards, AMD not supported
• I recommend Gigabyte and ASUS most.
• Check DSDT Database on TonyMac. 
• I recommend getting a motherboard that uses a DSDT edit (A.K.A: in the database)
• i7 cpu? Make sure you get an i7 motherboard! (Look at CPU socket, etc)
• Look at how much memory you want
• Most Sandy Bridge boards have memory in sets of 2.

Graphics Cards

• I recommend AMD/ATI cards
• Lots of NVidia cards work, some take work.
• Dual graphics cards is an iffy area.
• Dual displays work great on most cards! 

Memory 

• Most memory works great, I recommend DDR3, but DDR2 works just fine.
• I personally own and recommend Corsair XMS3 memory.
• Look for memory increments for your motherboard
• Depends on the number of slots your board has

 Power Supply

• Get one compatible with your motherboard.
• Don't just buy a 1 KW PSU!
• Look at the power requirements for your parts, add 50-100W for expansion.

Hard Drive/SSD 

• I recommend getting a SSD, but a HDD will work just fine
• Make sure it's SATA
• Get a SSD big enough for your OS and your apps
• Store other media on other hard drives to save a ton of money.
• Also good for backup purposes.

DVD Drive

• Any SATA optical drive should work without problems
• Some Blu-ray burners/writers work, but not all. Do your research!

Third-Party Hardware

• Includes Wi-Fi cards, FireWire cards, Sound cards, bluetooth adapters, etc
• Ask around before buying if you're not willing to take a chance of it not working.

I hope this list has helped you pick out your hardware. If you follow my advice when picking out hardware then you'll have a very fast and stable machine! If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out my YouTube channel for a variety of other technology based content.

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