I'm considering building a hackintosh. Looking for recommendations on highly compatible hardware (would prefer to do as little dirty work to get it working as possible, but I'm not afraid to tinker if I have to.)

I want a fairly powerful machine (something on par with a Mac Pro), but I don't want to pay $3000+ for it. From what I've seen online, I think I can build a reasonably fast hackintosh for around $600, maybe a little more. I plan on using it for Logic, Photoshop, Final Cut, etc.

I currently have a QX6850 (3Ghz quadcore) that I can use for this build, so if you can find compatible hardware for that, all the better. Otherwise I'm going to use it to build a PC desktop in addition to the Hackintosh, or find something else to do with it.

I found a shuttle that has a motherboard that is supposed to be highly compatible with OSx86:

Newegg.com - Shuttle P2 Chassis SP35P2V2 Intel Socket T(LGA775) Intel P35 4 x 240Pin none Aluminum Black Barebone - Barebone Systems

I'd be okay with building a Shuttle hackintosh, even though I think this might restrict how much performance I can get out of it due to cooling issues.

Basically, using my QX6850, what's the best config to go with? I want something that will work without TONS of hacking. Also, I'd like to do dual monitors using DVI, and the video card compatibility confuses me a bit. I've done some research but the Wiki articles on video card patches are confusing. Maybe I'll understand better once I've got my hands on the install process?

Anyway, please give me your best recommendations! I'm thinking maybe 8 gigs of DDR2, since its so cheap? Is DDR3 worth the extra cost?

Check the sticky...

Looked over the sticky. Question...

Any idea on the odds of this working? I did some googling and couldn't find much of anything at all... Sorry, I know it isn't likely that you've worked specifically with this model or anything, but I was wondering what you could tell just from the specs/chipset.

Newegg.com - Shuttle Prima XPC SX48P2-Deluxe Intel Socket T(LGA775) Intel X48 4 x 240Pin none Black Barebone - Barebone Systems

It's not the link I posted previously. Its a "better" Shuttle, that I couldn't find anything on.

Oh shuttle, a couple users post like 2/3 months ago success with a shuttle, I think was quad core, check the HCL, they added the model there, check for similar specs cant tell you if it gonna work, you have to try

icchansan,

Thanks for responding and being so nice!

I'm looking at the mobos you suggested in the sticky, but most of them seem to be out of stock on a lot of sites. Are these mostly "out of date" models, or???

I can't seem to find any of them on NewEgg. Checking Froogle, and only somewhat questionable sellers seem to have them in stock

ima check for new mobos soon, you can post some if you want to, I will tell you if they will work ;D

Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P

North Bridge Intel P45
South Bridge Intel ICH10R

Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

They both will work... and there guides for it, good luck