Chapter 1 Changes
Note: Older hardware that requires Snow Leopard to be installed is no longer covered in this book due to age. You can still purchase a Snow Leopard DVD from Apple for $19.99 as of this writing. OS X Lion is also available as a download in the form of a content code, but access to Apple's App Store is required. Installation and troubleshooting for Snow Leopard and newer versions can be found on the forums of www.tonymacx86.com.
Under "Starting With an Existing PC":
Processors, or CPUs (Central Processing Units) come in two flavors: Intel and AMD (Advanced Micro Devices). Intel has various generations of processors, but only the second genration of i-series processors (i3 / i5 / i7) and above with HD3000 graphics (graphics built-in to the processor without requiring a separate video card) can run OS X. If your desktop computer uses an AMD processor, you will need to purchase a separate video card to use OS X. To the best of my knowledge, AMD laptops can't run OS X.
Some laptops that use an Intel processor also have separate graphics by AMD or Nvidia built in to their machines. These laptops have what is known as switchable graphics. Switchable graphics are not yet supported in OS X, but if you have a laptop with this feature you still may be able to use it. You will have to leave the graphics set to Intel's built-in graphics instead.
Under "Shopping for a CPU - Buying Used":
AMD processors are supported through the use of Niresh Yosemite and Niresh Mavericks using boot flags to get them running, but the performance of AMD chips is not on par with their Intel counterparts. If you're searching for the least amount of trouble with installation, stick with Intel processors for the moment. But if you want to experiment with running OS X on a smaller cost, then try an AMD processor. If you purchase one used from eBay, ensure that the seller is offering a 14- or 30-day return policy in the event that your attempts do not produce a working Hackintosh.
Under "Shopping for a Motherboard - Buying New":
AMD/Intel – Ensure that the processor you plan to purchase is compatible with the socket type of the motherboard. For a complete list of socket types for both AMD and Intel processors, visit the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPU_socket.
RAM Slots and RAM Type – If you're going to use an ATX or Micro-ATX motherboard, your motherboard will have at least two slots for RAM. Micro-ITX board will have one or two slots for RAM to save physical space. Be aware that a one-slot limitation forces you to use a larger capacity RAM stick which also has increased costs. The motherboard specs will list the RAM type it is compatible with by the type (DDR2, DDR3, DDR4), the pins (204, 240, 184), the speed measured in megahertz, and the capacity (2, 4, 6, or 8 slots). The manufacturer's website will also show the maximum amount of memory supported. This is important to note so that you won't expect to buy 32 GB of RAM when the spec sheet states that the board will only support up to 16 GB of RAM.
Audio Ports - Note: 5.1 Surround Systems are wonderful, but not all applications use this nor let you change your output from stereo to 5.1 Surround Sound. Keep this in mind if purchasing a 5.1 System such as Logitech's X-530 speakers. A user can configure the Audio/MIDI setup in Apple's Utilities folder to configure this, but the audio output is determined by the application and not the user. For example, I can take The Eagles Greatest Hits CD and import it using iTunes. The CD itself is encoded in stereo. I can configure my sound system for 5.1 surround sound, but when I play the CD or the converted files from iTunes, the audio will only be heard in stereo and not surround sound due to the encoding format (stereo) that the CD used. If I follow the same steps for a Genesis Archive CD set which is formatted in 5.1 surround sound, then playing the CD or converted files should yield me the music in 5.1 surround sound audio. There are some CDs that take advantage of 5.1 sound but not many that I know of. Please visit http://buildingahackintosh.weebly.com/enabling-51-surround-sound.html for instructions on using the Apple utility to set up surround speaker software.
Under "Shopping for a Video Card":
The assortment of video cards out there might be intimidating to a first-time buyer. The Nvidia cards are nearly (if not completely) supported, but there are AMD cards by specific vendors that are supported with a few tweaks. I advise to visit the Hackintosh forums to get the lowdown of cards that are known to work with OS X. Check the forums to see if other users have had success with the same card and if any modifications to files were needed. Tonymacx86.com has a comprehensive buying guide regarding Nvidia cards, but they also have a constantly upgraded thread on AMD cards at https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/radeon-compatibility-guide-ati-amd-graphics-cards.171291/.
A faster method of checking Hackintosh compatibility is to simply Google the name of the part along with the word “Hackintosh”. If you wanted to see if the Whizbang XYZ is compatible, you would Google “Whizbang XYZ Hackintosh” and check the results. Note that the version of Mac OS X supports certain cards as well. So while an older GT 440 works perfectly in Mountain Lion (10.8), it may not work as well in Yosemite (10.10) or later.
Note: Brand name DOES make a difference. I once purchased an XFX-branded Radeon HD 6770 after reading that the same Gigabyte-branded video card was compatible with OS X after a few adjustments. After much trial-and-error I was able to get video on my screen using the XFX card, but it was at a minimal 800x600 resolution and not the full 1280x1020 resolution that I wanted. Only then had I discovered that other users of the XFX card could not get it working to its full potential, but owners of the same Gigabyte-branded card were getting it to work. If I had done more homework and research beforehand I could have avoided that ordeal.
Users of Nvidia cards enjoy the support from Nvidia, but AMD Radeon cards do not get the same support from the manufacturer. Instead, Radeon drivers are usually available through third-party hacks or by other users, as the last Mac Radeon support from AMD shows being available for 2005 models. An old version of Apple's website used to show the Mac Pro using FirePro graphics processors suited for professional and scientific workstations while the consumer-level iMac and MacPro uses mobile Radeon technology designed more for home and business desktops and laptops. Despite this, many AMD Radeon users have reported success with the latest Radeon cards.
In regards to older Nvidia-branded video cards, be aware that anything from the 6xx-series (ie. GT670, GTX650) may work out of the box, but 5xx-and 4xx-series cards may require hacks or extra kexts (small drivers). Because of the progression, even the GT610 is phased out and not supported in the current OS X version (in addition to future OS X versions). Generally the more current the OS, the greater the likelihood that older video cards are unsupported.
PCI-Express is the only card interface currently supported. Most video cards have multiple video outputs which enable you to mirror or extend the desktop on to another monitor. As technology progresses, you may find that a majority of today's video cards do not have a standard VGA video port but instead use HDMI, Mini-HDMI, DVI or DisplayPort interfaces. When you purchase a new video card, it usually contains an adapter or two for older interfaces. Ensure that you have the correct adapter and or cable for use with your monitor or HDTV.
Under "Shopping for a Keyboard and Mouse":
Note: I haven't followed my own advice (above) but have had different experiences. I purchased a Steel Series RAW keyboard on ebay, received it, and was not as happy with the results. This was to replace a Thermaltake Commander keyboard with a mechanical feel function which I would then use at work. Later I purchased a Tomoko 87-key mechanical keyboard based on the price and reviews, and while it's a bit loud the keyboard satisfies my needs and fingers. I also purchased an ASUS 28” monitor as no brick-and-mortar stores sold the same monitor and the online price was a deal too good to pass up.
Under "Shopping for a Monitor":
Note: When attempting to install El Capitan, I had issues with the video card in general. Some of the forum posts online stated that some users had success using a DVI cable to the monitor rather than using an HDMI cable. Your mileage may vary.
Under "Buying a Flash Drive / External Drive":
Note: My motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-Z68AP-D3 which has an internal port known as an eSATA connector. This connector accepts an eSATA drive which is bigger than a flash drive but smaller than a laptop drive, yet has similar components to that of an SSD in that it's just a board with chips and no moving parts. I have a 32 GB eSATA drive connected to it with OS X El Capitan on it. If something happens to my main OS X drive, I can boot to the rescue eSATA drive instead an attempt to fix the main OS X drive. Laptop users should be aware that they may have a connector inside of their laptop that looks similar to an eSATA drive but is actually a connector used for mobile connection.
Laptop users can replace their internal DVD drive with another hard drive using a DVD caddy. This device is shaped like a DVD drive for laptops as the majority of DVD drives are universal in shape. But the caddy has an internal rectangular area to accommodate a 2.5” hard drive for a laptop. This allows laptop users to have at least two hard drives in their system. I say “at least” because some laptops already have two slots for internal hard drives along with a DVD Drive, and installing a DVD hard drive caddy would allow three hard drives to be installed. For a complete how-to visit http://buildingahackintosh.weebly.com/adding-a-second-hard-drive-to-your-laptop.html.
Under "Existing Computer and Operating System":WARNING: Under no circumstances should you discuss anything about www.hackintosh.zone at tonymacx86.com. The moderators feel that mentioning Hackintosh Zone's pirated version of OS X is taboo and may ban you from the site without warning (while hypocritically their MultiBeast code is modified from someone else's code). I had made the mistake of mentioning it casually, and the next time I went to log in I was locked out because of having mentioned hackintosh.zone. Thankfully they don't keep track of logged in Internet addresses and I was able to create another account with a different username.
In the rare event that you don't have access to any computer, start fresh and purchase a Windows DVD license. Once you have your computer assembled, simply install Windows and hardware drivers, then go to www.hackintosh.zone to download Niresh Yosemite.
Note: In my area there's a Goodwill that sells used computers as well as broken laptops. Some of these devices work, while others are completely dead. There are times that I'm lucky enough to pick up a laptop with a Windows 7 Certificate of Authorization (COA, license, key) on it. Microsoft will let you download Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 from it's website. All I have to do is download it to a DVD so I can install it to the computer, then use the license key printed on the sticker to activate it. If the activation works, well now I have a fully-functional version of Windows. If the license key is still in use by the previous owner, I still have about 3 days until the OS locks me out until I can provide a valid, unused license key. In both cases I can download Niresh's version of OS X, then get the real deal from the App Store and reinstall it over the Niresh version. If I find a laptop with a Windows Vista COA on it, I'll pass on it because Windows no longer provides a download to burn Windows Vista to a DVD. I would have to search eBay and pay for a DVD instead, and there's no point when I know I can download Windows 7 or later instead.
Under "Optional Peripherals - WiFi Devices":A WiFi card gets inserted in an open PCI-express slot on your motherboard, so you'll need to ensure that your motherboard has a free PCI-e slot and that it will not interfere with cooling to the video card. The benefits of a card are that it does not take up a USB port from your board and that (in most cases) they connect immediately after booting up your system. The limitations are that their selection is limited for Mac computers and that they cannot be moved closer to the WiFi router or hub.
Under "Starting With an Existing PC":
Processors, or CPUs (Central Processing Units) come in two flavors: Intel and AMD (Advanced Micro Devices). Intel has various generations of processors, but only the second genration of i-series processors (i3 / i5 / i7) and above with HD3000 graphics (graphics built-in to the processor without requiring a separate video card) can run OS X. If your desktop computer uses an AMD processor, you will need to purchase a separate video card to use OS X. To the best of my knowledge, AMD laptops can't run OS X.
Some laptops that use an Intel processor also have separate graphics by AMD or Nvidia built in to their machines. These laptops have what is known as switchable graphics. Switchable graphics are not yet supported in OS X, but if you have a laptop with this feature you still may be able to use it. You will have to leave the graphics set to Intel's built-in graphics instead.
Under "Shopping for a CPU - Buying Used":
AMD processors are supported through the use of Niresh Yosemite and Niresh Mavericks using boot flags to get them running, but the performance of AMD chips is not on par with their Intel counterparts. If you're searching for the least amount of trouble with installation, stick with Intel processors for the moment. But if you want to experiment with running OS X on a smaller cost, then try an AMD processor. If you purchase one used from eBay, ensure that the seller is offering a 14- or 30-day return policy in the event that your attempts do not produce a working Hackintosh.
Under "Shopping for a Motherboard - Buying New":
AMD/Intel – Ensure that the processor you plan to purchase is compatible with the socket type of the motherboard. For a complete list of socket types for both AMD and Intel processors, visit the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPU_socket.
RAM Slots and RAM Type – If you're going to use an ATX or Micro-ATX motherboard, your motherboard will have at least two slots for RAM. Micro-ITX board will have one or two slots for RAM to save physical space. Be aware that a one-slot limitation forces you to use a larger capacity RAM stick which also has increased costs. The motherboard specs will list the RAM type it is compatible with by the type (DDR2, DDR3, DDR4), the pins (204, 240, 184), the speed measured in megahertz, and the capacity (2, 4, 6, or 8 slots). The manufacturer's website will also show the maximum amount of memory supported. This is important to note so that you won't expect to buy 32 GB of RAM when the spec sheet states that the board will only support up to 16 GB of RAM.
Audio Ports - Note: 5.1 Surround Systems are wonderful, but not all applications use this nor let you change your output from stereo to 5.1 Surround Sound. Keep this in mind if purchasing a 5.1 System such as Logitech's X-530 speakers. A user can configure the Audio/MIDI setup in Apple's Utilities folder to configure this, but the audio output is determined by the application and not the user. For example, I can take The Eagles Greatest Hits CD and import it using iTunes. The CD itself is encoded in stereo. I can configure my sound system for 5.1 surround sound, but when I play the CD or the converted files from iTunes, the audio will only be heard in stereo and not surround sound due to the encoding format (stereo) that the CD used. If I follow the same steps for a Genesis Archive CD set which is formatted in 5.1 surround sound, then playing the CD or converted files should yield me the music in 5.1 surround sound audio. There are some CDs that take advantage of 5.1 sound but not many that I know of. Please visit http://buildingahackintosh.weebly.com/enabling-51-surround-sound.html for instructions on using the Apple utility to set up surround speaker software.
Under "Shopping for a Video Card":
The assortment of video cards out there might be intimidating to a first-time buyer. The Nvidia cards are nearly (if not completely) supported, but there are AMD cards by specific vendors that are supported with a few tweaks. I advise to visit the Hackintosh forums to get the lowdown of cards that are known to work with OS X. Check the forums to see if other users have had success with the same card and if any modifications to files were needed. Tonymacx86.com has a comprehensive buying guide regarding Nvidia cards, but they also have a constantly upgraded thread on AMD cards at https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/radeon-compatibility-guide-ati-amd-graphics-cards.171291/.
A faster method of checking Hackintosh compatibility is to simply Google the name of the part along with the word “Hackintosh”. If you wanted to see if the Whizbang XYZ is compatible, you would Google “Whizbang XYZ Hackintosh” and check the results. Note that the version of Mac OS X supports certain cards as well. So while an older GT 440 works perfectly in Mountain Lion (10.8), it may not work as well in Yosemite (10.10) or later.
Note: Brand name DOES make a difference. I once purchased an XFX-branded Radeon HD 6770 after reading that the same Gigabyte-branded video card was compatible with OS X after a few adjustments. After much trial-and-error I was able to get video on my screen using the XFX card, but it was at a minimal 800x600 resolution and not the full 1280x1020 resolution that I wanted. Only then had I discovered that other users of the XFX card could not get it working to its full potential, but owners of the same Gigabyte-branded card were getting it to work. If I had done more homework and research beforehand I could have avoided that ordeal.
Users of Nvidia cards enjoy the support from Nvidia, but AMD Radeon cards do not get the same support from the manufacturer. Instead, Radeon drivers are usually available through third-party hacks or by other users, as the last Mac Radeon support from AMD shows being available for 2005 models. An old version of Apple's website used to show the Mac Pro using FirePro graphics processors suited for professional and scientific workstations while the consumer-level iMac and MacPro uses mobile Radeon technology designed more for home and business desktops and laptops. Despite this, many AMD Radeon users have reported success with the latest Radeon cards.
In regards to older Nvidia-branded video cards, be aware that anything from the 6xx-series (ie. GT670, GTX650) may work out of the box, but 5xx-and 4xx-series cards may require hacks or extra kexts (small drivers). Because of the progression, even the GT610 is phased out and not supported in the current OS X version (in addition to future OS X versions). Generally the more current the OS, the greater the likelihood that older video cards are unsupported.
PCI-Express is the only card interface currently supported. Most video cards have multiple video outputs which enable you to mirror or extend the desktop on to another monitor. As technology progresses, you may find that a majority of today's video cards do not have a standard VGA video port but instead use HDMI, Mini-HDMI, DVI or DisplayPort interfaces. When you purchase a new video card, it usually contains an adapter or two for older interfaces. Ensure that you have the correct adapter and or cable for use with your monitor or HDTV.
Under "Shopping for a Keyboard and Mouse":
Note: I haven't followed my own advice (above) but have had different experiences. I purchased a Steel Series RAW keyboard on ebay, received it, and was not as happy with the results. This was to replace a Thermaltake Commander keyboard with a mechanical feel function which I would then use at work. Later I purchased a Tomoko 87-key mechanical keyboard based on the price and reviews, and while it's a bit loud the keyboard satisfies my needs and fingers. I also purchased an ASUS 28” monitor as no brick-and-mortar stores sold the same monitor and the online price was a deal too good to pass up.
Under "Shopping for a Monitor":
Note: When attempting to install El Capitan, I had issues with the video card in general. Some of the forum posts online stated that some users had success using a DVI cable to the monitor rather than using an HDMI cable. Your mileage may vary.
Under "Buying a Flash Drive / External Drive":
Note: My motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-Z68AP-D3 which has an internal port known as an eSATA connector. This connector accepts an eSATA drive which is bigger than a flash drive but smaller than a laptop drive, yet has similar components to that of an SSD in that it's just a board with chips and no moving parts. I have a 32 GB eSATA drive connected to it with OS X El Capitan on it. If something happens to my main OS X drive, I can boot to the rescue eSATA drive instead an attempt to fix the main OS X drive. Laptop users should be aware that they may have a connector inside of their laptop that looks similar to an eSATA drive but is actually a connector used for mobile connection.
Laptop users can replace their internal DVD drive with another hard drive using a DVD caddy. This device is shaped like a DVD drive for laptops as the majority of DVD drives are universal in shape. But the caddy has an internal rectangular area to accommodate a 2.5” hard drive for a laptop. This allows laptop users to have at least two hard drives in their system. I say “at least” because some laptops already have two slots for internal hard drives along with a DVD Drive, and installing a DVD hard drive caddy would allow three hard drives to be installed. For a complete how-to visit http://buildingahackintosh.weebly.com/adding-a-second-hard-drive-to-your-laptop.html.
Under "Existing Computer and Operating System":WARNING: Under no circumstances should you discuss anything about www.hackintosh.zone at tonymacx86.com. The moderators feel that mentioning Hackintosh Zone's pirated version of OS X is taboo and may ban you from the site without warning (while hypocritically their MultiBeast code is modified from someone else's code). I had made the mistake of mentioning it casually, and the next time I went to log in I was locked out because of having mentioned hackintosh.zone. Thankfully they don't keep track of logged in Internet addresses and I was able to create another account with a different username.
In the rare event that you don't have access to any computer, start fresh and purchase a Windows DVD license. Once you have your computer assembled, simply install Windows and hardware drivers, then go to www.hackintosh.zone to download Niresh Yosemite.
Note: In my area there's a Goodwill that sells used computers as well as broken laptops. Some of these devices work, while others are completely dead. There are times that I'm lucky enough to pick up a laptop with a Windows 7 Certificate of Authorization (COA, license, key) on it. Microsoft will let you download Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 from it's website. All I have to do is download it to a DVD so I can install it to the computer, then use the license key printed on the sticker to activate it. If the activation works, well now I have a fully-functional version of Windows. If the license key is still in use by the previous owner, I still have about 3 days until the OS locks me out until I can provide a valid, unused license key. In both cases I can download Niresh's version of OS X, then get the real deal from the App Store and reinstall it over the Niresh version. If I find a laptop with a Windows Vista COA on it, I'll pass on it because Windows no longer provides a download to burn Windows Vista to a DVD. I would have to search eBay and pay for a DVD instead, and there's no point when I know I can download Windows 7 or later instead.
Under "Optional Peripherals - WiFi Devices":A WiFi card gets inserted in an open PCI-express slot on your motherboard, so you'll need to ensure that your motherboard has a free PCI-e slot and that it will not interfere with cooling to the video card. The benefits of a card are that it does not take up a USB port from your board and that (in most cases) they connect immediately after booting up your system. The limitations are that their selection is limited for Mac computers and that they cannot be moved closer to the WiFi router or hub.