Here is the list of components I used to build my Mac. Feel free to make substitutions, but be aware that many of the methods and files I’ll post are specific to this configuration. That said, I encourage you to experiment. If you have questions about using different hardware, try searching for it at the Insanely Mac forums.
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R Motherboard – $120
Intel E8400 3GHz Core 2 Duo CPU – $160
ASUS GeForce 8400GS Silent Video Card -$33
500GB SATA Hard Drive – $55
Lite-On DVD Burner – $26
Coolermaster Case – $50
Total: $490
The Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R is a great motherboard to build your mac around. After some software tweaks it is fully compatible with Mac OS X. I highly recommend it. For the CPU, any Intel Core 2 Duo or Quad will work, just make sure it is compatible with the motherboard. Pick whatever suits you for the RAM, hard drive, and optical drive (but stick with SATA for the drives).
The video card is another important choice. I found that the 8400 is great for my needs, but I don’t play graphics-intense games. If you play a lot of games, you might want a card upgrade. I recommend you stick with Nvidia.
You will also need a OS X Leopard retail install disk. It need to be a retail disk, not a restore disk that came with a Mac.
When you get your hardware, put it all together. There are many resources out there if you need help assembling your computer; I won’t go into all the details. One important tip if you are using the Gigabyte motherboard: use the yellow SATA connectors for the SATA drives, not the purple ones. Everything else should be pretty standard. If you’d like, try a test install of Windows or Linux to make sure everything is working.
Tags: Apple, computer, DIY, Hackintosh, mac, technology
