Best Motherboard For Hackintosh In 2021 Buying Guide

With that said, today, we will help you find the best motherboard for Hackintosh that you can simply install Hackintosh with the help of the great community available on the internet.

For those who don’t know much about Hackintosh, this is essentially an expert-level detailed tutorial that allows you to install Apple’s own Mac OS X on a device that is in no way associated with it Apple.

In case you’re wondering, the hardware included in an iMac is pretty old, even for the latest models, and most importantly, the price you pay for that hardware is pretty ridiculous.

Now the good thing about the hardware in iMac is that it works closely with the operating system itself, so if there is a change in external hardware, the entire ecosystem can collapse. This is why Hackintosh is so complicated for some because you basically take a bunch of different hardware and run OS X on it.

ASUS ROG Strix Z370-G game

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The Asus ROG Strix Z370-G is a good option for a Hackintosh version and gamers. It is designed to work with 8th generation Intel processors for optimal performance. The Z370-G features a one-click overclocking and cooling system that allows you to optimize your equipment components with minimal effort for the best overclocking performance.

In addition, with Fan Xpert 4 and UEFI, the Z370-G gives you a high level of control over fans and water pumps, allowing you to adjust the cooling speed of your motherboard. It has 8-channel HD sound combined with dual headphone amps, and a SupremeFX S1220A CODEC found only on the best ROG motherboard brand.

Plus, the Z370-G displays AURA RGB lighting with a virtually infinite color spectrum, giving your rig a look it deserves. You can sync the effects with other AURA-compatible devices and create your own game world.

ASUS has ensured that this motherboard is built to last, even with intense and continuous gaming sessions. ASUS calls it the “gamer guardian,” which indicates that the motherboard is packed with high-quality components, ensuring that it remains intact for an extended period of time.

When it comes to connectivity, the Z370-G integrates 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Gigabit LAN. Also, the motherboard supports USB 3.1 Gen2.

GIGABYTE Z390 DESIGNARE

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This motherboard is one of the most popular choices for Hackintosh enthusiasts. Mac OS X runs flawlessly on the Z390, and most users report minor bugs or issues. Not to mention, it can accommodate the latest 8th and 9th Gen Intel processors for maximum Hackintosh performance thanks to 12 + 1 VRM phases.

Jumping to motherboard functionality, it boosts Dual Ultra-Fast M.2 with PCIe Gen3 x4 interface and thermal shields for overheating protection, allowing you to achieve fast data transfers with SSD. Additionally, it supports multi-directional graphics with Dual Armor and Ultra Durable Design, allowing you to use multiple graphics cards simultaneously.

The Smart Fan 5 is equipped with various temperature sensors, plus hybrid fan manifolds with fan shutdown. This gives you a high level of control over the motherboard cooling system.

And if you’re the type of person who likes to show off their gear with a clear case, the Z390 DESIGNARE is equipped with full-color RGB lighting that can give your Hackintosh a cool touch.

On the connectivity side, the Z390 has an integrated Intel CNVi 160MHz 802.11ac 2 × 2 WiFi, coupled to a Dual Intel Gigabit LAN with cFosSpeed. As for the ports, this motherboard has a front / rear USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C header and USB DAC-UP 2 with adjustable voltage.

ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero

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Asus motherboards stand out from the crowd for several reasons. The focus cause is that they have well known for making highly advanced motherboards with more focus on looks and performance. The ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero stands out in this regard.

This motherboard is a high-end gaming motherboard from the ROG line. The Hackintosh support of the motherboard is also exceptional. This motherboard is cute and comes in a neutral gray color.

Asus has done enough to make sure it has as many relevant features as possible. For example, it will take advantage of the USB Type-C 3.1 in the front header. Also, it comes with HDMI and DisplayPort located at the I / O.

There is also a dual RGB Aura Sync header and a single addressable RGB header that you can use. Add this to the dual SSD slots for people looking for super-fast storage, and you have a monster motherboard.

For those who want to use Hackintosh, the ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero is the real deal! Whether you want to use Hackintosh or dual boot, this motherboard will work just fine. What else? All its features work fine.

If you are looking for a gaming powerhouse, this is your motherboard, thanks to its exceptional GPU. You will also get documents online to guide you in using this motherboard.

MSI INTEL Z390-A PRO

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The MSI Intel Z30-A Pro is not your usual motherboard. Instead, this motherboard is inspired by the desire to create something that speaks of efficiency and beauty. The MSI Intel Z390-A PRO supports 8th and 9th generation Intel Core and Pentium processors for the LGA 1151 socket.

Additionally, it supports DDR4 memory up to 4400 (OC) MHz. Plus, it’s turbo M.2 and runs on PCI-E, ensuring it optimizes its output for NVMe-based SSDs. Furthermore, it comes with Set Core Power Free and an audio booster that ensures that your ears are fed with the best audio quality.

Another notable feature is its extended heat sink design that ensures it runs at full speed. So for your Hackintosh needs, this motherboard is the machine for you! The motherboard comes with improved performance characteristics that should excite all prosumers and gamers alike.

With improved memory and processor and higher transfer speeds, this is a motherboard that should excite everyone. Other great features include the fact that it supports multiple GPUs and an extended heat sink design.

Gigabyte Z390 UD

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The Gigabyte Z390 UD is an amazing motherboard for Hackintosh that perfectly suits people looking for a decent motherboard for under $ 200. The Z390 supports ready-to-use 8th and 9th generation Intel processors and has 4 DIMM slots in which you can install up to 128GB of RAM with max. 4400 MHz speed.

You get 6 SATA ports and 1 M.2 Solid State Drive (SSD) slot for storage. Installing Hackintosh on the SSD will allow the system to boot up very quickly, and I recommend you do the same on this mobo.

For games, there is a 1x PCI-E 3.0 x16, and to install other types of devices, there are 5 additional PCIe slots. One of them runs at x4 while the other 3 runs at x1. In addition, the mobo supports AMD’s Crossfire technology, which is really a good thing for most gamers.

Gigabyte offered its mobo with many useful ports, but one important thing missing here is USB Type-C. If Gigabyte had offered the Type-C, it would have been a lot better, but it’s a cheap motherboard, so I can’t complain too much about it. Overall, this is hands down one of the best motherboards for Hackintosh Big Sur.

GIGABYTE B365M DS3H

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A reasonably priced motherboard like Gigabyte B365M DS3H could meet all your requirements to run Hackintosh, and you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get the best motherboard for Hackintosh.

This inexpensive motherboard features an Intel B365 chipset and an LGA1151 socket, making it compatible with 8th and 9th generation Intel Core processors. Pairing it with a decent processor like the Intel Core i7-9700K is a recipe for a flawless, high-performance Hackintosh OS.

Boasting impressive build quality and with long-term use, the GIGABYTE B365M will serve you well. Plus, its Micro ATX design makes it easy for you to install this one in any case you want. Since cubic PC cases are turning many heads these days, I would definitely recommend our readers to read them closely.

To continue, this motherboard may not have those futuristic vibes that we get from most of the higher-end motherboards on the list. Still, for a budget build, the Gigabyte B365M is a decent option.

This motherboard supports 2666MHz DDR4 memory and has 4 DIMM slots that support up to 64GB of RAM. Sadly, you won’t get a pre-installed WiFI adapter with this motherboard, but for that price, you can’t complain. Instead, you can buy it separately, which is available at an affordable price.

Finally, the Gigabyte B365M can be overclocked and can modify the BIOS settings to exceed the limits of its internal components. Since this motherboard features high-quality VRMS, you won’t have to worry about frying your internal components while overclocking.

Overall, this is one of the cheapest motherboards for Hackintosh under $ 100, scoring 4.4 / 5 from over 2000 consumers.

GIGABYTE H370N

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This motherboard is one of the most affordable, and it comes with some great features. The GIGABYTE H370N is a motherboard that combines efficiency and aesthetics. In addition, the motherboard is Hackintosh compatible and supports the 8th Gen Intel Core processor.

It is equipped with dual-channel non-ECC unbuffered DDR4. The motherboard runs on super fast dual M.2 and comes with hybrid fan headers and a fan shutdown. In addition, your Intel Next-Gen Wireless solution supports 802.11ac wave 2 features.

This feature ensures improved gaming performance, smoother video functionality, and speeds of up to 1.73 Gbps. Also, this motherboard is designed with HDMI 2.0, making it backward compatible and offering 18Gb / s bandwidth.

With this, users can transfer as much video stream as possible. Another notable feature is Gigabyte’s Ultra Durable technology. All Gigabyte motherboards are designed to be reliable and built with premium components that serve as the perfect PC foundation.

ASRock Z490 Taichi 10th generation motherboard

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Asrock motherboards are quite impressive. They have a reputation for focusing on certain features with their unique design and construction. The Z490 comes with unique RGB lighting and features an enhanced 15-phase VRM system powered by two 8-pin power connectors connected to meet the requirements of 10th-generation processors.

In addition, each of the shocks is rated at 60A, which is less than the 90A offered by Gigabyte and MSI. In addition, the Taichi fuses three small fans in its radiator, each of which is silent. When working with a light load, the fans will not spin at all.

By getting this device, you will get eight SATA connectors and three M.2 slots. The audio system was repaired using the ESS DAC and WIMA capacitors to improve the SNR and its output when using headphones.

What else? You’ll enjoy premium Z490 cards with exceptional networking capabilities. This Hackintosh motherboard has Intel 1G LAN and WiFi 6 to enhance its network potential. You also get USB ports and its PS / 2 port while also using DisplayPort and HDMI.

MSI Z490-A PRO Pro Series

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If you are on a tight budget, then instead of spending more money on a pricy motherboard for Hackintosh, we suggest you choose MSI Z490-A PRO SERIES, as it will be a wise decision. It’s inexpensive, and it comes with some sophisticated perks that will really help you close the deal for just a few dollars.

Featured with all sorts of state-of-the-art components, the MSI Z490-A PRO ProSeries is an ideal choice if you’re working on a tight budget. While you may not get Bluetooth connectivity with this motherboard, you will be pleased with your purchase if you manage to get yourself a decent Bluetooth adapter.

Specs-wise, you’ll get a motherboard that comes with a Z490 chipset with LGA1200 backed by 4 DIMM slots with DDR4 Boost. Also, on the rear I / O panel, you will find USB 3.2 Gen-1 with USB Type-C ports. Also, DisplayPort and HDMI are there too, but it’s a shame they can’t add a DVI port to it.

In terms of looks, the MSI Z490-A Pro ProSeries is a very stylish motherboard and, unlike most MSI Z490 chipset motherboards, this Z490-A Pro does not have any RGB light to illuminate its case. . Also, the matte black exterior combined with shiny metal plates really adds to the beauty of this motherboard. It looks vibrant on any type of chassis.

Nonetheless, MSI Z490-A Pro ProSeries offers the best value for money, and when it comes to Hackintosh, this motherboard is sure to back you up and deliver top-notch performance. And the fact that it is reasonably priced makes this motherboard an ideal choice for a Hackintosh system.

Asus ROG Strix Z390-E LGA1151

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Last but not least is a gaming beast on our list is ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E. The Z390-E has several notable updates over the more affordable Z370-G, including support for 9th Gen Intel processors, which is the best gaming motherboard in this section.

With AI Suite 5-way optimization, you can overclock your motherboard in minutes thanks to the revised back-end that throttles your CPU based on intelligent prediction and thermal telemetry. Installation of this motherboard is quite easy with the pre-mounted matte black I / O shield.

Additionally, ROG Strix Z390-E has the same Fan Xpert 4 and UEFI BIOS that gives you full control over your motherboard’s cooling system. Finally, like the Z370-G, you get two PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slots.

With two PWM / DC fan headers for CPU coolers, a dedicated PWM / DC header for independent water cooling setups, and a special header that can power 3A PWM or DC water pumps, c is one of the most popular cooling systems. Sophisticated ever made.

Additionally, the motherboard is equipped with ROG Strix’s exclusive “Gamer’s Guardian” design that maximizes its longevity. And for enthusiasts who like to show off their gear, the Z390-E has full built-in AURA RGB lighting control to give your rig the aesthetic it deserves.

When it comes to connectivity, the Z390-E features an Intel Gigabit LAN and Wi-Fi connection. It also supports USB 3.1 Gen 2.

BEST MOTHERBOARDS FOR HACKINTOSH BUYER’S GUIDE

However, it is a fairly easy job for the experts, and people have managed to run the operating system on much more powerful hardware than that offered by the Apple Macbook or iMac.

That said, we think it’s easier to run OS X on a laptop than on a full-size desktop for several reasons; the first reason is that most of the hardware configurations on laptops are the same.

Well, don’t worry just yet. The good thing is, since the motherboard takes care of all the hardware, you can choose the right motherboard, install Hackintosh on it with your hardware, and do whatever you want.

With that said, today, we will help you find the best motherboards for Hackintosh that you can simply install Hackintosh with the help of the great community available on the internet.

SHAPE FACTOR

You will first need to choose a form factor. ATX motherboards are quite common in this regard, as are micro ATX. When shopping for a new motherboard and you’re not sure what size it would fit, be sure to measure the old motherboard and compare it to different sizes.

PROCESSOR SOCKET

When selecting a form factor, you will need to look for a processor socket. There are several types of processor sockets that have been used in the past. Currently, there are three that are currently applicable.

These include PGA, LGA, and BGA. AMD uses PGA, while Intel uses LGA. BGA sockets are not used as much as others as they are prefixed by the motherboard and cannot be upgraded or repaired.

Keep in mind that the type of socket you have on your motherboard will determine which processor you buy. Therefore, you will first have to consider which processor you want before buying the motherboard.

THE RAM

RAM stands for Random Access Memory. Keep in mind that the motherboard you buy will determine the type and amount of RAM you should get. So you need to keep this in mind before buying a motherboard.

You should go for a motherboard that can accommodate a minimum of 16GB. Even if you don’t want to use that much memory, you can use the space later.

Also, look for a motherboard that offers at least 4 memory slots. You will install 2 RAM modules to get started and have a spare one for a future upgrade.

PCI LOCATIONS

The PCI slot is a port found on the motherboard. They have long served as the standard type of expansion slots and allow expansion cards to connect.

Depending on how you plan to use your computer, you may need to consider whether the motherboard has the ideal slots for you. For those who love games, they will need at least one full-speed PCI Express x16 slot.

FLEXIBILITY

Instead of just using Apple Macs, OS X can run on different types of PCs. So it doesn’t matter if you’re looking to use it for home theater setup, video editing, or to record your shows. It will work.

COST

Macs are very expensive compared to other PCs. Apple’s cheapest Mac Pro costs thousands of dollars. You can build a sturdy Hackintosh tower with the same features for much less. Hackintosh will never be expensive as using a Mac.

GRAPHIC CAPACITY

Note that Apple’s Mac Pros have a reputation for being the only Macs that feature user-replaceable graphics cards. All other products either have AMD soldered components or do not have discrete graphics.

As a user building your own Mac, you will have the option of using a wider range of graphics drivers and can modify them as needed.

Benefits of using a Hackintosh

These are some of the unique advantages of using Hackintosh.

Customizable features

You can create whatever you want, not the way Apple wants you to. For example, you can create a large power tower or a portable device. You can make one with a high-end hard drive and a video card. You can also determine the capacity, number, and amount of RAM on the hard drive.

Cost

Macs are very expensive compared to other PCs. Apple’s cheapest Mac Pro costs thousands of dollars. You can build a sturdy Hackintosh tower with the same features for much less. You can be sure when using a Hackintosh that it will never be more expensive than a Mac.

Graphics Capability

Note that Apple’s Mac Pros have a reputation for being the only Macs that feature user-replaceable graphics cards. All other products either have AMD soldered components or do not have discrete graphics.

As a user building your own Mac, you will have the option of using a wider range of graphics drivers and can modify them as needed.

Flexibility

Instead of just using Apple Macs, OS X can run on different types of PCs. So it doesn’t matter if you’re looking to use it for home theater setup, video editing, or to record your shows. It will work.

Fun to use

The fact that you can create something unique with functionality close to your ideal machine sounds very exciting! Creating a Hackintosh is an attractive challenge. However, unlike the Mac, which is powered out of the box, you’ll have to build this one from scratch.

The downside of Hackintosh

There are downsides to using QS X on non-Apple hardware.

Legality

This is the most obvious drawback of all. Unlike what is available with Windows, the Mac operating system is not sold as a software product. What Apple does is allow the operating system to be used only on its hardware.

Please note that you do not own the software you are purchasing. You only have a license to use under certain circumstances.

Lack of support

As a Hackintosh user, you will never be able to walk into an Apple Experience Center to find solutions to your problems. You also won’t be able to access the Macintosh user community for help with your challenges.

There are several communities where Hackintosh users will get help, but you should be familiar with managing your fixes and troubleshooting.

Expect failures

Done right. Setting up the Hackintosh basics shouldn’t be too difficult. But a major downside is that not all features may work. The perfect way to avoid potential problems is to build everything from scratch using components you know will work with OS X.

Bleeding edge

Most Hackintosh systems are compatible with Apple software and modern applications. However, there is a strong possibility that a certain application with a flaw could create challenges.

Please note that Apple does not test new software with Hackintosh systems. Therefore, when new software emerges, it is always ideal to wait and observe the opinions of community members before diving into it.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

What is a Hackintosh?

A Hackintosh is a computer designed to run macOS.

Can any computer be converted to Hackintosh?

Not all PCs can be converted to Hackintosh. But anyone who can run macOS can get used to it. Of course, this implies that state-of-the-art computers with core-based processors can be used.

Is Apple concerned that you are using macOS?

Yes, Apple cares. Apple’s End User License Agreement states that macOS can only be used on Apple computers.

Is it difficult to build a Hackintosh?

You can assemble a Hackintosh using the available parts and get it up and running in an hour. Keep in mind that the time this will take will vary from person to person, depending on experience and skills. For those who can assemble a PC, assembling a Hackintosh shouldn’t be a problem.

Why should I do a Hackintosh when I can buy a Mac?

If you can’t build one yourself or someone can, this question may not be for you. However, some can build this system for you at a reduced cost. This means that you get a powerful system with the same functionality as a Macintosh at a reduced price.

Without a doubt, the inherent cost is the main reason why people choose Hackintosh over Mackintosh.

How does a Hackintosh work on a Mac?

Because you can choose from the range of options available when it comes to available PC hardware, you can create a Hackintosh that will perform better than the best Mac on the market.

Final word

We hope you find this article helpful as we strive to make it easier for you to understand. A continual characteristic of Hackintosh is that they are quite easy to install on a desktop computer than a laptop.

The reason for this is the ease of approaching all the necessary equipment in one place. In addition, these motherboards have a nearly 100% functional guarantee. By using this guide to get the best Hackintosh motherboard, you will definitely get what you want.