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Message
[Review] Built a Hackintosh Last Weekend
Posted on 11/13/14 at 9:51 pm
Posted on 11/13/14 at 9:51 pm
Not sure if any of you guys will care but I figured it'll be an interesting read for the tech board. If not then sorry for wasting time.
Background
Last weekend, I built my first pc. After debating for a few weeks on which OS to use, I decided to attempt a Hackintosh. I've been using macbooks since 2007 and after using a windows machine at work and a linux vm for a few years, I decided I would love to have a hackintosh to toy around with at home.
Parts
Best resource for hackintoshes is tonymacx86. That site has everything you need including sample builds. Here are the components I used:
Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
Gigabyte GA-Z97M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Superclocked ACX Video Card
BitFenix Phenom M Midnight Black MicroATX Mini Tower Case
Corsair CSM 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply
TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter
Total Cost: $1229
The Build
Once I got the parts delivered, I began the build. This was my first time building a pc so there were a lot of beginner mistakes. Of Course, I freaked out when my pc would not power on. Then we kept tinkering. Eventually I got it to boot to the Bios. Here, I finished putting together the pieces and tightening everything down. Honestly the case made things kind of challenging. I don't think this case is good for a first time build. Definitely would not use it again except for the fact it looks pretty good.
The Installation
I decided to use the latest and greatest Yosemite for OS. One of the most suggested methods for installation is Clover. I started trying to install using Clover but it kind of went over my head. So I decided to change and use Unibeast/Multibeast for the installation. This went very well and within an hour I was rocking and rolling with a hackintosh.
The Problems
Audio did not work. I got around this using a usb audio output. There are suggestions on fixing this on Tonymacx86 but nothing I tried seemed to help. I was kind of frustrated here.
Google Chrome crashing. As soon as chrome opens it crashes. Not sure how to fix this. It worked the first day but ever since has not worked. Using Firefox now.
No iMessage and use of the Apple Store. iMessage requires Clover and there is a workaround supposedly for Apple Store
Wifi dropping. This seems to be an issue with Yosemite. It drops every 20 mins but comes back after I turn off/on wifi. It says it stays connected. This is the only thing I'm still frustrated with.
Conclusion
I'm really happy with the build. Cool learning experience. I already got a Plex Server up and running with the large hard drive. Looking to start running some virtual machines with Virtualbox. Looking forward to playing around on this thing much more in the coming months.
Feel free to ask any questions or just tell me I'm an idiot for wasting your time.
Background
Last weekend, I built my first pc. After debating for a few weeks on which OS to use, I decided to attempt a Hackintosh. I've been using macbooks since 2007 and after using a windows machine at work and a linux vm for a few years, I decided I would love to have a hackintosh to toy around with at home.
Parts
Best resource for hackintoshes is tonymacx86. That site has everything you need including sample builds. Here are the components I used:
Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor
Gigabyte GA-Z97M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Superclocked ACX Video Card
BitFenix Phenom M Midnight Black MicroATX Mini Tower Case
Corsair CSM 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply
TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter
Total Cost: $1229
The Build
Once I got the parts delivered, I began the build. This was my first time building a pc so there were a lot of beginner mistakes. Of Course, I freaked out when my pc would not power on. Then we kept tinkering. Eventually I got it to boot to the Bios. Here, I finished putting together the pieces and tightening everything down. Honestly the case made things kind of challenging. I don't think this case is good for a first time build. Definitely would not use it again except for the fact it looks pretty good.
The Installation
I decided to use the latest and greatest Yosemite for OS. One of the most suggested methods for installation is Clover. I started trying to install using Clover but it kind of went over my head. So I decided to change and use Unibeast/Multibeast for the installation. This went very well and within an hour I was rocking and rolling with a hackintosh.
The Problems
Audio did not work. I got around this using a usb audio output. There are suggestions on fixing this on Tonymacx86 but nothing I tried seemed to help. I was kind of frustrated here.
Google Chrome crashing. As soon as chrome opens it crashes. Not sure how to fix this. It worked the first day but ever since has not worked. Using Firefox now.
No iMessage and use of the Apple Store. iMessage requires Clover and there is a workaround supposedly for Apple Store
Wifi dropping. This seems to be an issue with Yosemite. It drops every 20 mins but comes back after I turn off/on wifi. It says it stays connected. This is the only thing I'm still frustrated with.
Conclusion
I'm really happy with the build. Cool learning experience. I already got a Plex Server up and running with the large hard drive. Looking to start running some virtual machines with Virtualbox. Looking forward to playing around on this thing much more in the coming months.
Feel free to ask any questions or just tell me I'm an idiot for wasting your time.
2
Posted on 11/13/14 at 10:58 pm to marchballer
quote:
I don't think this case is good for a first time build. Definitely would not use it again except for the fact it looks pretty good.
Your mistake was MicroATX for a first-time build. They are a little more challenging than standard ATX builds, and each MicroATX or Mini-ITX case has its own frustrating quirks. But mostly, they just favor smaller hands.
quote:
The Problems
Audio did not work. I got around this using a usb audio output. There are suggestions on fixing this on Tonymacx86 but nothing I tried seemed to help. I was kind of frustrated here.
Google Chrome crashing. As soon as chrome opens it crashes. Not sure how to fix this. It worked the first day but ever since has not worked. Using Firefox now.
No iMessage and use of the Apple Store. iMessage requires Clover and there is a workaround supposedly for Apple Store
Wifi dropping. This seems to be an issue with Yosemite. It drops every 20 mins but comes back after I turn off/on wifi. It says it stays connected. This is the only thing I'm still frustrated with.
The most interesting part of the post is your effort to build a Hackintosh specifically. Your problems are minimal when it comes to the typical Hackintosh build. I've been reading a little bit about them since a poster here a while back asked about getting parts for a Hackintosh. Last I checked there was no Z97 board that worked perfectly yet. The audio and NIC are always the main issues. OS X supports an extremely limited hardware roster.
So, the question is, why did you bother? Just for fun, or do you really love OSX over Windows but wanted to save a couple grand off the trashcan Mac?
This post was edited on 11/13/14 at 11:00 pm
Posted on 11/13/14 at 11:41 pm to ILikeLSUToo
Yeah the problems aren't too bad. The build is really for fun and a learning project. I am already a programmer but sadly I have never built a pc. I really like using Macs over Windows machines. Plus if the build went really south, I would just put Ubuntu on it and have some fun.
I've already start learning about penetration testing and installed Kali Linux on a VM. No regrets so far honestly.
I've already start learning about penetration testing and installed Kali Linux on a VM. No regrets so far honestly.
Posted on 11/14/14 at 7:29 am to marchballer
Honest questions so don't consider this "flaming the fire."
Curious, what's the advantage of building a Hackentosh over buying one?
In other words what would a comparable Mac cost you vs what you spend?
FWW, it does sound like a cool project. Perhaps when my iMac is due for an upgrade.
Curious, what's the advantage of building a Hackentosh over buying one?
In other words what would a comparable Mac cost you vs what you spend?
FWW, it does sound like a cool project. Perhaps when my iMac is due for an upgrade.
Posted on 11/14/14 at 8:21 am to ELLSSUU
LINK
These guys do a pretty good comparison. The advantages are the options of what to put into the computer. The more higher end the pc the more the savings. I would guess I saved $700 on this build.
I wouldn't do this for a main pc too. There are issues and you cannot upgrade without being worried that something will break.
These guys do a pretty good comparison. The advantages are the options of what to put into the computer. The more higher end the pc the more the savings. I would guess I saved $700 on this build.
I wouldn't do this for a main pc too. There are issues and you cannot upgrade without being worried that something will break.
Posted on 11/14/14 at 12:05 pm to marchballer
quote:
The advantages are the options of what to put into the computer.
That's the main thing. Obviously, it's much much cheaper to build your own PC, but Mac users are accustomed to and willing to spend the "Apple tax." The issue is the desktop options from Apple are limited. There's a huge jump from the low-power Mac Mini to the dual-Xeon Mac Pro with nothing in between.
quote:
you cannot upgrade without being worried that something will break.
I would still put upgradeability slightly into the benefit column. While the upgrade risks are the same as building a Hackintosh, once you are over the hurdle of how to figure out what works and what doesn't, upgrading is significantly cheaper and easier (and more possible) with a Hackintosh. You just have to choose your components carefully and understand the common issues (LAN and Audio) and the workarounds (NIC cards and USB sound). That is to say, if you were alright with the annoyance/benefit tradeoff of building a Hackintosh in the first place, upgrading won't be any different.
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