In 2024, the best Hackintosh build will be one that is powerful, affordable, and easy to use. There are several great options available for those looking to build their own Hackintosh, and each has its own unique strengths. Users can build their custom Hackintosh in several different ways.
Otherwise, they also can buy brand PCs for building Hackintosh. There are a lot of brand PCs on the market, and also they are well-known for their power and reliability, making them excellent choices for building Hackintosh.
However, custom-made PCs are always more powerful than pre-build brand PCs. They also allow you to modify the hardware configuration anytime without breaking the service warranty as they come with.
In this blog post, we are going to build a high-end custom PC for building Hackintosh within a budget.
Why Build a Hackintosh?
A Hackintosh is a computer that runs MAC OS on an Intel or AMD processor. It’s not just for people who want to use OS X or Linux on their desktops; it can also be a powerful server or workstation. A Hackintosh is also cheaper and easier to build than buying an existing Mac. So why build a Hackintosh? Here are some reasons:
- You can use any Mac software you want, whether it’s free or paid.
- You can customize your Hackintosh to make it look exactly the way you want it to, without worrying about compatibility issues with other software.
- You don’t have to spend money on Apple hardware, like iMacs and MacBooks; you can use any PC hardware you want.
- You can use any PC keyboard you want and even connect it to your Hackintosh with a USB cable.
- You will be able to run Linux, Windows, or any other operating system on your Hackintosh.
- You can use your Hackintosh for gaming and other computing tasks that are not possible with Macs.
- It’s easy to upgrade your Hackintosh hardware if you want to. Also, you can use your Hackintosh to run pirated software, and you won’t have to worry about prison time or other legal issues.
Moreover, you’ll be able to taste Mac’s flavor without paying a penny to Apple. Hackintosh computers are also relatively easy to build, and many users report great satisfaction with their results.
Best Hackintosh Build Guide: How to, Requirements, Budget
Building a Hackintosh computer is quite easy, but the annoying thing is finding the right hardware according to needs. But, it’s important to select the right hardware for Hackintosh. Because without the right hardware, you can’t build a quality machine. So, here is a hardware list that I’m using for my own build. You can use it to build your custom Hackintosh:
Hardware: What You’ll Need to Build Your Own Hackintosh
Processor:
The processor is the most crucial part of your Hackintosh computer, and it is the central part of your computer which makes everything run on it. If you use a decent processor, you will get fast performance on your Hackintosh computer. For that reason, you need to buy the best processor for Hackintosh. Depending on your budget and needs, you can look for an Intel i3, i5, or i7 processor.
We’re using the Intel Core i5-10500 Desktop Processor in today’s build. I am thoroughly impressed with the i5-10500, and it is incredibly fast and makes multitasking a breeze. It comes with 6 cores and 12 threads. The i5-10500 gives you a performance boost of 4.5 GHz, which is very good for Hackintosh.
I love the Turbo Boost Max Technology 2.0 support; it really kicks the performance up a notch. This processor is also compatible with Intel 400 series chipset-based motherboards, which is a big plus.
Overall, I highly recommend this processor for anyone looking for a budget Hackintosh build.
On the other hand, if you have no budget issues, I recommend you go for the Intel Core i7-10700 Desktop Processor.
Motherboard:
A motherboard is a circuit board that organizes and connects all of the components to each other. It plays a vital role in creating a system, and it’s important to use a quality motherboard to build a reliable and durable Hackintosh.
Today, we’re using the GIGABYTE Z490 AORUS Elite ATX Gaming Motherboard. This board has everything that you need to build a solid Hackintosh system. It comes with top-notch features, like the dual-channel DDR4, 2x M.2 slots, and the 12 phases digital VRM. The Q Flash Plus and AMP UP audio features are also great additions. It supports 4 DIMMs as well.
The board also comes with RGB Fusion 2.0, which means you can adjust the colors of the motherboard. It’s great to have a system that looks good as well. Also, this motherboard has Hybrid Fan Headers with smart fan functions, and it will automatically adjust the fan speed to the cooling needs of the system.
Overall, this is one of the best motherboard for your Hackintosh build. I highly recommend this motherboard to anyone looking for an excellent ATX gaming motherboard.
Memory:
Random Access Memory or RAM is a type of computer data storage that can be accessed randomly, in contrast to Read-Only Memory (ROM), which is accessible only once. The CPU and GPU use random Access Memory to store instructions and data during operation, whether for calculation or temporary data storage.
If you want a faster computing experience with your Hackintosh, you should install high-profile RAM. I will be using the Corsair Vengeance LPX Desktop Memory Kit for this guide. This pack comes with 2×8 GB DDR4 (2666 MHz) memory modules, designed specifically for high-performance computer use and gaming.
The higher frequencies and bandwidth are great for gaming and multimedia editing, and the lower power consumption is a big plus. The pure aluminum heatsink keeps the module cool even under heavy use, and it looks great too.
Overall, this is a great deal for the money, and I highly recommend this product for your Hackintosh build.
Storage:
Storage is a big deal for Hackintosh users. The system will be your main data storage place and the place where you keep all your software and media files. You need a fast, reliable storage drive that can handle the load of operating systems and apps.
If you have a faster storage drive, you’ll get a quicker computing experience.
Basically, there are two types of storage available in today’s market. They are:
- HDD and
- SSD.
Hard Disk Drive (HDD): Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is a storage medium that uses magnetic strips to store data. It was first introduced in the 1990s and has become the most common type of storage device. HDDs are used in computers, tablets, smartphones, and other electronic devices. They are also used to store data for external devices such as cameras, printers, and drives.
HDDs are quite slower than solid-state drives (SSD), but they are still the most common type of storage medium in use today.
Solid-State Drive (SSD): A solid-state drive (SSD) is a type of storage that uses flash memory instead of spinning disks to store data. SSDs are faster and more reliable than traditional hard drives because they don’t have to wait for the disk to spin around to read or write data. The performance of SSDs is very good to transfer large files in a few seconds.
A modern SSD can easily replace an internal hard drive and provide better performance in many ways. A blazing fast SSD can provide a noticeable improvement in overall system performance and speed. The best SSDs are based on the latest controller technology and use cutting-edge NAND flash memory that is much faster than traditional magnetic drives.
We will use the Samsung 970 EVO Plus 250GB PCIe NVMe M.2 Internal SSD. It reaches sequential read write speeds up to 3,500 3,300 MB/s, which is great for gaming and other high-demand applications. The advanced nickel-coated controller maintains optimal operating temperatures even under heavy use, so I never have to worry about my system slowing down.
The Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD comes in 250GB and 500GB capacities. We’re going to be picking up the 250GB model because we’re on a budget. I think 250 GB of storage is quite enough for my system. If you want more spaces, feel free to pick an HDD, and I recommend you use the WD10EZEX 1TB Internal HDD or Seagate BarraCuda 1TB Internal Hard Drive.
Graphics Card:
GPU is important but most expensive due to the shortage of production. We’re using a CPU with Intel IGPU so installing a separate GPU for my tasks is not mandatory. But if you’re a music or video producer, I think you should have a separate GPU. If you plan to buy a GPU, check the benchmark first and ensure it’ll not bottleneck with other hardware.
Power Supply Unit:
The power supply is an electricity supplier that distributes an exact amount of electricity to the whole computer. The PSUs are rated by amperage, wattage, and voltage, and PSU should have enough amperage to maintain your system’s functionality and not overheat.
Today, we will use the Corsair RM650x 650 Watt 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular Power Supply. It’s 80 PLUS Gold Certified and has low noise operation, which is perfect for me because I’m a bit of a noise-phobe. It also uses Japanese capacitors, which I know are some of the best out there. The fully modular cables are really nice, too – they make cable management so much easier. And the 140 mm cooling fan is a nice touch.
Casing:
The casing is one of the crucial parts of a computer, and it organizes all the components and maintains thermal and electrical contact between them. There are a lot of decorative casings available on the market. But I prefer to use simple ones, which are easy to maintain. The case I’m using is sturdy and has the right amount of room for expansion. The front panel is clear to see all the parts inside, and it also has a nice side window.
I bought this two years ago for my previous PC. So, I’m not buying another new one. You can pick a PC case, which one is suited for your choice.
The remaining parts of the build:
Keyboard: The keyboard I chose is simple yet elegant. It’s a mechanical keyboard, which will be more comfortable than membrane keyboards. I prefer a mechanical keyboard because the keys are heavier, and you can type for longer periods without fatigue. You can choose any keyboard that meets your budget.
Mouse: I’m using a trackball mouse (Logitech M570); it’s super cheap, so don’t worry about the budget. It has a sculpted right-hand shape that is perfect for a long usage period.
Monitor: Do not get the monitor with any bezel. It will be better to get a monitor with no bezel, which means there are no surrounding borders around the display. I’m using the SAMSUNG T350 22-inch FHD Borderless Computer Monitor. It’s one of my best purchases this year. The IPS panel isn’t causing eye irritation, so you can use it for a long period without any fatigue. It also has a good contrast ratio and color reproduction, which is perfect for gaming.
Finishing Up
We’ve all the components, so it’s time to assemble them. If you’re an expert on assembling PC components, then do it yourself. Otherwise, you can hire a professional to set it up. Once you have finished setting up the computer, you’ll need to install Hackintosh.
You can follow the video to be done correctly.
Is Hackintosh as Good as Mac?
That is a question that many people have asked in recent years. A Hackintosh is a computer system that can be built using a PC as the foundation and then using software to emulate the look and feel of a Mac operating system. So should someone who wants the best possible computing experience buy a Macintosh or build their own Hackintosh?
The answer to this question depends on your specific needs and preferences. For some people, buying a Macintosh is the best option because they want an intuitive, consistent user experience across all their devices and applications. For others, who need more flexibility and control over their computing environment, building their own Hackintosh may be the right choice. It’s important to remember that whether you choose to buy or build your own Hackintosh, it’s still going to cost more than buying a Windows-based PC.
Is a Hackintosh Worth It?
For years, the idea of a Hackintosh has intrigued people with a DIY bent. This is a computer that you build yourself, using pieces of software that Apple does not officially support. The appeal is obvious: You can control every aspect of your computer, from your software to the hardware you choose.
Is a Hackintosh worth it? That’s up for debate. On the one hand, many people swear by them, saying they offer great flexibility and performance advantages over traditional Macs. On the other hand, plenty of naysayers argue that Hackintoshes are more trouble than they’re worth and that the quality of assembly can be poor. Ultimately, it comes down to your specific needs and wants for your computer.
Is using Hackintosh illegal?
While it is not expressly stated in any law, some believe that using a Hackintosh to run Mac OS X is breaking the law. This is because Apple does not officially sanction the operating system and software that come with a Hackintosh.
However, this does not mean that using a Hackintosh is illegal. Many people use Hackintosh installations without any issues. So, if you’re looking to use a custom installation of Mac OS X without breaking the law, Hackintosh may be the solution for you.
Last Words
In conclusion, building a Hackintosh is a great way to get a powerful and affordable computer. The process can be a little tricky, but you can do it relatively easily with the right guidelines. So, if you’re looking to build a Hackintosh, be sure to give this guide a try. And if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.