PC builders know the importance of combining their processor with an excellent motherboard to get the best out of it. Likewise, the best Hackintosh motherboard will unlock unlimited features for you; as most of you know, with a Hackintosh, you can install Mac OS X on hardware made by someone other than Apple. So, pairing your Hackintosh with a compatible motherboard will offer you a premium gaming and working experience.
Luckily, there are tons of motherboards that work well with Hackintosh. But we have sorted out the eight best motherboards that can work with your Hackintosh. We developed this list of the best motherboards after testing and researching dozens of motherboards.
Moreover, this article will provide you with an ultimate buying guide and a professional review of the eight best motherboards. And at the end of the article, we will answer the most critical queries related to Hackintosh motherboards. So, read till the end to find out what’s best for you!
Contents
Buyer’s Guide to Choose the Best Hackintosh Motherboard
With the given buying guide, you can select the best-suited motherboard for your Hackintosh processor. Also, go through this link to check the best motherboards for Intel core i5 12600k to check these features.Also, go through this link to check the best motherboards for Intel core i5 12600k to check these features.
Form Factor
Motherboards are made to fit certain PCs by following specific standards. They are given out based on how big a motherboard is, how much power it can handle, and what kinds of ports it has. This set of rules is called a form factor. Finding a motherboard with a form factor that works with your processor is essential.
ITX (Information Technology Extended) and ATX (Advanced Technology Extended) are the main form factors. ATX is the form factor that PCs employ the most. Standard-ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ATX, Nano-ATX, and Pico-ATX are all types of ATX. You can choose the farm factor listed on your Hackintosh processor.
On Board Memory (RAM)
RAM stands for random access memory and plays a very crucial role in the workability of your Mobo. It is best to go for a motherboard with at least 16GB of RAM, even if you think you can work best with less RAM. Opting for the four memory slots on the motherboard is a wise decision for easy future upgrades.
PCI Slots
They are the most common type of expansion slot and have been used for a long time. The purpose of PCI ports is to allow you to add more expansion cards whenever you need them. So, how you plan to use the computer will determine the correct ports for you. Generally, gamers like to have a PCI Express x16 slot to enjoy the best gaming experience.
Versatility
The best motherboard can work with more than one operating system. So, if you think about it, the OS that comes with the Hackintosh is OS X, which isn’t just for Apple Macs and can run on other PC hardware. Customers can change how OS X is set up to meet their needs. You can easily use it to make a home theater, edit videos, record your favorite TV shows, and play world-class games.
Price
For a lot less money, you can get a powerful Hackintosh tower with the same features as a Mac for a lot less. If you do some research online, you can find the best Hackintosh motherboard at a price that fits your budget. Using a Hackintosh is a good idea because it will never cost more than an Apple computer. You can also choose a Hackintosh motherboard that works with your laptop and is reasonably cost.
Best Hackintosh Motherboard – A Professional Review of the Top 8 Hackintosh Motherboards
The given reviews would be beneficial in choosing the most efficient and cost-effective motherboard for your PC. Have a look at them.
1. ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero LGA1151 – Over All Best Motherboard for Hackintosh
2. GIGABYTE Z390 UD – An ATX Intel Motherboard for Cryptocurrency Mining
3. GIGABYTE Z370N WIFI – The Finest Motherboard with Onboard Wi-Fi and RGB Lights
4. ASRock LGA2011-v3 – ATX Motherboard (X99 Taichi)
5. ASUS ROG Strix Z370-F – Best Hackintosh Motherboard for Gaming
6. ASUS Prime Z390-A – Budget-friendly Intel 8th And 9th Gen ATX Motherboard
7. MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus – Cheapest Best Gaming Motherboard for Hackintosh
8. GIGABYTE H370M DS3H – The Best Hackintosh Motherboard in Low-budget
1. ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero LGA1151 – Best Hackintosh Motherboard
The ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero LGA1151 (the first on our list) will be a godsend Mobo for anyone who wants to build a top-notch gaming PC. It is designed for extreme use. Therefore, it can be overclocked and used in SLI configurations right out of the box. This board also has built-in Wi-Fi, which is excellent if you want a less cluttered, more aesthetically pleasing setup with fewer wires and cords.
The ROG Maximus X Hero is the way to go if you want to build a high-end Hackintosh but don’t want to spend much money on a Thunderbolt board. This motherboard has everything else most users need at a fraction of the price of other overclocking-focused boards. This board is an excellent alternative if you’re not looking for extreme overclocking.
It stands out because it has features like a sturdy build, supports Intel Optane memory, 8-channel HD audio, and a fantastic RGB header. This ROG Maximus X Hero is for Hackintosh users who want to upgrade their system with many high-end features.
Our Verdict-Best Hackintosh Motherboard
For its low price, this board has quality and performance that no one can beat. This Mobo is an excellent choice if you want something high-end but don’t want to spend much money on an extreme motherboard.
2. GIGABYTE Z390 UD – An ATX Intel Motherboard for Cryptocurrency Mining
The Gigabyte Z390 UD is a motherboard with an ATX form factor. It’s the best choice for your LGA 115x CPU having a Hackintosh processor. With this Mobo, overclocked CPUs having a TDP of up to 95W are supported without any problems. Moreover, it works with memory speeds from DDR 2666 to the latest DDR 4600.
When building a Hackintosh, it’s essential to have a motherboard that can handle high processing speeds, and this one does that very well. Moreover, it supports Wi-Fi, Smart Fan control for better cooling, and USB ports that can charge high-power devices even when the PC is off.
The motherboard has several expansion options, such as three PCIe x16 slots for graphics cards. If you use the two M.21 drive ports, which can each handle multiple NVMe drives in RAID configurations, you can get storage speeds that are as fast as lightning.
Lastly, the motherboard can support up to six SATA discs and eight USB ports (four of which are USB Type-C for next-gen devices). Don’t worry if some of your older accessories only work with the PS/2 interface; you can still connect them.
Our Verdict
This board is perfect for anyone who wants to build a powerful gaming or workstation PC. GIGABYTE Z390 UD is the best Hackintosh motherboard for heavy-duty tasks like cryptocurrency mining. Its price also justifies the plethora of features it has. So, it’s overall an intelligent purchase.
3. GIGABYTE Z370N WIFI – Mini ITX Motherboard with Onboard Wi-Fi and RGB Lights
The GIGABYTE Z370N WIFI Mini-ITX Board, number three on our list, is for you if compatibility and customization options are more important than raw performance. It is an inexpensive motherboard that can run both Windows and Mac OS. If included in this package, other features like SLI compatibility can be more appealing to professionals.
It works with fast storage media like Optane and M.2. The ALC1220 chipset ensures the sound is good. This motherboard has built-in RGB lights, a high-end power supply, and fast Wi-Fi. Overall, the motherboard is small and easy to set up, making it a good choice for first-time PC builders and professional players who require the needed features.
The motherboard can be used with various cases, fans, and even water cooling. If you want to build your own Hackintosh, the GIGABYTE Z370N WIFI Mini-ITX Motherboard is an excellent choice because it works with Mac OS and Windows. Also, it works with Coffee Lake processors, making updates and installation faster and easier.
Our Verdict-Best Hackintosh Motherboard
The GIGABYTE Z370N WIFI Mini-ITX Motherboard is an excellent choice if you want to build your own Hackintosh because it works with Mac OS and Windows. And because it works with Coffee Lake processors, you won’t have to update for a long time.
4. ASRock LGA2011 V3 – ATX Motherboard (X99 Taichi)-Best Hackintosh Motherboard
The fourth on our list is the ASRock X99 Taichi. It’s an ATX motherboard with many features that make it an excellent motherboard for Hackintosh. The MOBO also looks beautiful inside your PC case. Its Thunderbolt compatibility is another plus if you need to hook more peripherals to your PC.
Considering its performance, it works well with macOS Sierra and High Sierra. This price tag can do even better with our list feature set of alternatives. The ASRock X99 Taichi can use up to 128GB of quad-channel DDR memory. It offers overclocked speeds of 3300+, allowing you plenty of room for future upgrades.
Another fantastic feature of the ASRock LGA2011 V3 is that it supports a scalable link interface and CrossfireX multi-graphics setups. Moreover, it comes with seven PCI Express x16 slots, 14 USB ports, and six SATA III connections. In addition, Xeon 18-core CPUs from Intel’s Core I series (Socket 2011) and 3000 Series (Socket 115) are supported.
It also works with the Thunderbolt standard. So, it is easy to attach peripherals compatible with this MOBO.
Our Verdict
All these features and the price tag are for mid-budget users. You may find alternative boards that work better with Mac OS Sierra or High Sierra, like the GIGABYTE Z390 UD (second on our list).
5. ASUS ROG Strix Z370-F – Best Hackintosh Motherboard for Gaming
The fifth on our list of best Hackintosh motherboards, the ASUS ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming, is in the middle of ASUS’s line of Z370 products. Its goal is to give customers a complete set of features. The all-black motherboard has a large heatsink near the power supply. It also uses SupremeFX S1220A audio, USB 3.1 (10 Gbps) ports, and two M.2 slots in this package. Moreover, the MOBO is compatible with Crossfire and SLI.
The performance of the ASUS ROG Strix Z370-F Gaming meets our expectations compared with the results of the other boards we looked at. d. The board’s POST time is the second fastest of our tested boards. Most tests showed that, like other Z370 boards, this one gives a CPU boost while using about the same amount of power as other motherboards.
It’s pretty easy to overclock on this ASUS motherboard. Increasing the power limits, Vcore, and CPU Ratio is a piece of cake, thanks to its easy-to-use BIOS and AI Suite 3. The MOBO can reach 5.1 GHz without being heated.
This board can use either SATA or M.2 storage devices. Mainly this setup works excellently with the six SATA ports that support RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10. Moreover, the Z370-F Gaming has two M.2 slots. The primary (bottom) slot works with PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA-based M.2 modules.
This ATX-sized motherboard has several PCIe expansion slots. There are three full-length expansion slots. Two are reinforced types, and the third is run by the chipset and can be used for 3-way Crossfire configurations. The two central slots allow for two-way SLI. Along with the full-length slots, the board has four x 1-sized extension slots.
Our Verdict
This board is a good choice for a mainstream Coffee Lake-based system at this price because of its features, capabilities, and looks.
6. ASUS Prime Z390-A – Intel 8th And 9th Gen ATX Motherboard
The ASUS Prime Z390-A is a white, silvery, and black ATX-sized board that starts the company’s premium entry-level Prime series. It has RGB lighting that works with ASUS’s AURA Sync software. It’s one of the subtler alternatives to the ASUS Z390; the PCB has white patterns that stand out.
There are also three full-size PCIe 3.0 slots on the Prime Z390-A. So, you can feel good about setting up your Prime Z390-A. The MOBO also offers up to three displays and multiple graphics cards in a CrossFire setup.
There are four RAM slots for adding more memory for onboard storage, and each can hold up to a 64 GB DDR4-4266 memory stick. The Prime Z390-A also has two PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slots, but only one of them works with SATA SSDs. Furthermore, its six SATA ports can run arrays with RAID 0, 1, 5, or 10.
This high-end Prime Z390 model has a total of seven USB ports:
- Three USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A ports
- One USB 3.1 Type-C port
- Two USB 3.0 Type-A ports
- Two USB 2.0 ports
Moreover, it’s Realtek S1220A HD 8-channel audio codec controls the six audio connectors (5 x 3.5 mm audio jacks and 1 x S/PDIF optical output) and the single Ethernet port (Intel I219V Gigabit networking controller). The back panel is made up of a PS/2 mouse and keyboard connector and a DisplayPort/HDMI 1.4b visual output.
In conclusion, this chipset differs from most in this price range because it has USB 3.1 Gen2. Customers seem to like this board because they can work without needing a device that can connect to Wi-Fi.
Our Verdict
The ASUS Prime Z390-A is a top-shelf MOBO because of its unique features and overclocking speed. However, those looking to update their computers will find the price tag of over $200 reasonable.
7. MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus – Cheapest Best Gaming Motherboard for Hackintosh
This MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus comes in seventh place on our list. It is a motherboard from MSI’s Gaming Plus line. This board is best for Intel processors from the 9th and 10th generations because it has an LGA 1200 socket. It’s also suitable for people who don’t plan to upgrade their motherboards soon.
High-end chipsets like this one are great for gamers because they let you increase your computer’s overclocking speed and memory bandwidth. This MOBO is the best Hackintosh motherboard compatible with the Rocket Lake S. This chipset also has better cooling and customizable RGB lighting for high performance. You’ll see right away that MSI has made the MPG Z490 Gaming Plus with gamers in mind when you use it. This board is on the bigger side, measuring 12 by 9.6 by 2 inches.
If you want a desk with colors that go well together, this simple color scheme could help. The way the board looks as a whole is a good balance between being too flashy and boring.
This MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus motherboard will go as fast as 5000(OC) MHz. It also has 4X DIMM SLOTS that can hold dual-channel memory modules with a total capacity of 128GB. The Extreme Memory Profile and memory not using error-correcting code (ECC) are also supported.
So here we see the powerful Z490 in action. It can deliver up to 5000MHz, which is rare for motherboards in this price range. This board is a real work of art. Its large heatsink and increased number of VRM phases make it easy to overclock your CPU.
Our Verdict
The MSI MPG Z490 Gaming Plus is a good choice if you want a high-end motherboard with a Z490 chipset but don’t want to spend much on it.
8. GIGABYTE H370M DS3H – The Best Hackintosh Motherboard in Low-budget
Last but not least, the Gigabyte H370M DS3H employs Ultra Durable technology. It lets users get the most out of their computers. It has a tremendous overclocking speed and is very easy to use. Gamers from all over the world will find everything they need here.
This Hackintosh motherboard is very durable. It also uses high-quality parts to keep costs down while giving your computer a stable base. The PCIe NVMe+SATA dual-mode architecture lets you use two NVMe M.2 SSDs. To make a RAID array, you can also use a separate M.2 SSD running in SATA mode with a single shared SATA SSD.
Even though it’s small, it has four video outs (DP, HDMI, DVI, and DSub). So, you can see an actual high-definition image on high-definition screens and TVs.
There are too many good things about this price to pass up. For instance, the Intel® H370 chipset on the motherboard ensures that it works with both 9th generation and 8th generation Intel® CoreTM CPUs. It has four extension slots, two PCI Express x16 and two PCI Express x1. You can set up your network however you want. Even better, this ATX motherboard comes with high-quality Realtek HD audio.
And the newest Intel technology, Optane, works as a cache drive to make storage even faster. One can see right away that this system is more efficient than traditional mechanical storage.
Users are safe from bios crashes by having a “primary BIOS” and a “backup BIOS,” as GIGABYTE motherboards do. Moreover, we’ve found that a network traffic management program affects reaction time in a busy LAN by reducing network latency and response time.
Our Verdict
This GIGABYTE H370M DS3H is one of the most attractive motherboards, especially for novice gamers. This price tag provides a plethora of specifications that we usually see in high-end chipsets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you build a Hackintosh in 2022?
In 2022, you can still make a Hackintosh. The number of people in the Hackintosh community is growing. So, you can also build your Hackintosh PC with the best MOBOs listed above.
Which is the best Hackintosh motherboard?
What’s the best Hackintosh motherboard depends on your purpose and budget. If you want a high-performance motherboard, the best ones are the GIGABYTE Z390 UD and the ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero LGA1151. But if your budget is tight, but you still want great specs, you might choose the GIGABYTE H370M DS3H.
Is Hackintosh fast?
Yes, they are fast, and probably for less money as well. Apple’s hardware options are pretty unique. The company strives for “silent” running while advertising through their performance at every stage of the development cycle. That way, setting up new settings is quick and painless.
Conclusion
The rate at which people are building Hackintosh PCs is increasing rapidly. Therefore, most of the motherboards are better compatible with Hackintosh mobos. Based on our testing and satisfaction, we have selected the eight best Hackintosh motherboards out of numerous boards. Click on this link to know about the best motherboard Ryzen 7 3800x.Click on this link to know about the best motherboard Ryzen 7 3800x.
We are optimistic that our review will help you find the best match for purchasing a perfect Hackintosh board for your purpose and budget. Your feedback works as fuel for encouraging us to write more about the latest products for PCs. Therefore, please never forget to mention what you like most about our review and what your suggestions are.