Operating Systems > OsX86 Hackintosh (Intel / AMD)
choosing the right GPU for your EARLY intel hackintosh build (for old software)
chrisNova777:
if dual DVI is important to you
it would be to those who have 2 great monitors to connect and want both connected clean + digital signal:
These almost always shipped with 2× DVI ports on PC cards, and many Mac-compatible versions exist:
GeForce 8800 GT (most retail cards dual DVI; Mac edition often dual-link + mini adapters)
GeForce 7800 GT
GeForce 7600 GT
GeForce 6800 GT / Ultra
GeForce 6600 GT
GeForce 7800 GS
--- Quote ---visit here http://www.oldschooldaw.com/forums/index.php/topic,147.0.html
to see more info about software that would run on an early hackintosh running tiger
paying close attention to the software titles marked "(introduces mac intel cpu support)"
*Apple Logic Pro 7.2 (2/03/2006) (introduces mac intel cpu support)
*Ableton Live 5.2 (4/10/2006) (introduces mac intel cpu support)
*Propellerheads Reason 3.0.5 (5/1/2006) (introduces mac intel cpu support)
*Pro Tools LE 7.1.1 (05/01/2006) (introduces mac intel cpu support)
*Digital Performer 5.1 UB update (2006-08-02) (introduces mac intel cpu support)
https://motu.com/en-us/news/dp-5-1-universal-binary-intel-mac-update-now-shipping/
Ableton Live 6 (9/6/2006) (req panther+)
Native Instruments Komplete 4 (9/13/2006) (fourth edition)
*Steinberg Cubase 4 (12/6/2006) (req tiger+) (introduces mac intel cpu support)
*Steinberg Cubase 4.1
*Cubase Studio 4.1 (10/23/2007) **** requires Mac OSX Tiger 10.4.4 +
--- End quote ---
and the end result will be:
Cubase Studio 4.1
Logic Pro 7.2
Live 5,6
Pro Tools 7.x
These were some great software versions! for the mid-2000s still capable of opening old projects + remixing old projects! so get your hackintosh, get a 7000 series Geforce + get to work. a geforce 7600 GT will be around the same performance as a GT220 card, but it will be more compatibel with earlier versions of OSX that the GT220 doesnt work with, ie: Leopard + Tiger which you might need to run to run specific old versions of software.
with so many different os versions, hardware versions + software versions available it often paralyzes creative types which is why they need a technical type person to tackle these issues + make things possible for the creative types:) MAKE THINGS POSSIBLE thats the whole reason this website exists!
choosing a gpu that will support different versions of OSX will alow you to dual boot different versions of hackintosh macos on your intel motherboard machine, choosing a X1900 XT or 7600GT gives you performacne + compatibility with tiger, leopard + snow leopard all at once
so it boils down to these few gpus :
**Geforce 6800 Ultra 139 (April 14, 2004) (10.3.5+)
**Geforce 7800 GT 244 (August 11 2005) (10.4.3+)
**Geforce 7800 GS 177 (February 2, 2006) (10.4.9+)
**Geforce 7600 GT 234 (March 9 2006) (10.4.8+)
**Radeon X1900 GT 145 (May 1, 2006) (10.4.7+)
**Geforce 7300 GT 124 (May 15, 2006, First Mac Pros 2006)
**Radeon X1950 Pro 113 (October 17, 2006)
your gonna wanna pair that with an intel socket 775 PCIE (or AGP) motherboard that supports ddr2 ram (or DDR1?)
Modified LGA 771 Xeons
--- Quote ---If you are looking for the best performance-per-dollar on eBay to match those high-end chips, the LGA 771 Xeon "mod" is the way to go. These are server equivalents that cost a fraction of the consumer Core 2 Quad prices.
1. The "Xeon Mod" Winners (Best Value)
These CPUs are physically identical to the Yorkfield/Harpertown architecture. On eBay, you can find them already modified (with a sticker or notched) to fit straight into a standard LGA 775 motherboard.
Xeon X5460 (3.16 GHz, 12MB Cache): This is the direct twin of the Core 2 Quad Q9650. While the Q9650 often sells for $50+, you can usually snag an X5460 for $15–$25.
Xeon E5450 (3.0 GHz, 12MB Cache): Matches the Q9650 in speed but runs at a lower wattage (80W vs 120W+). This is the best choice if you have a mid-range motherboard with weaker power delivery.
Xeon X5470 (3.33 GHz, 12MB Cache): This actually beats the QX9770 in raw clock speed. It is the fastest "easy" upgrade for this platform, usually found for under $40.
2. Native LGA 775 Options (No Mod Required)
If you don't want to mess with Xeon microcode or physical socket mods, these are the best "cheap" native chips:
Core 2 Quad Q9550 (2.83 GHz, 12MB Cache): This is the "sweet spot" for native chips. It has the full 12MB of cache and can be easily overclocked to match or beat a QX9770. Expect to pay around $30–$40.
Core 2 Quad Q9400 (2.66 GHz, 6MB Cache): If you just want a quad-core for the absolute lowest price (often under $15), this is it. You lose half the cache, but in real-world use, the performance is still very respectable compared to the higher-end models.
Comparison Summary
CPU Model Speed Cache eBay Price (Approx) Performance Tier
Xeon X5470 3.33 GHz 12MB $35 - $45 Beats QX9770
Xeon X5460 3.16 GHz 12MB $15 - $25 Matches QX9770
Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83 GHz 12MB $30 - $40 Matches Q9650
Core 2 Quad Q9400 2.66 GHz 6MB $10 - $15 Budget Entry
One final tip: If you go the Xeon route,
make sure your motherboard chipset is compatible
(P45, P35, G41, etc., work great; X38/X48 can be picky).
--- End quote ---
chrisNova777:
heres a gaming comparison of the performance difference between a 6600 GT + a 7600 GT showing a rather large difference in quality
chrisNova777:
You can only run PowerPC apps on Intel Macs if you're running an old OS like Tiger, Leopard, or Snow Leopard that has support for ROSETTA
Modern Macs (especially Apple Silicon) cannot run those apps this way
--- Quote ---Rosetta is a dynamic binary translator developed by Apple that enables Mac computers to run software built for a different processor architecture. It allows older applications to function on new hardware without modification, bridging the gap between hardware shifts (PowerPC to Intel, and later Intel to Apple Silicon).
Key Aspects of Rosetta Versions:
Original Rosetta (PowerPC to Intel - 2006): Introduced in Mac OS X 10.4.4, this allowed PowerPC-based applications to run on new Intel-based Macs, operating in the background to translate code dynamically. It was removed in Mac OS X 10.7 Lion. so this was only available in Tiger, Leopard + Snow Leopard
--- End quote ---
chrisNova777:
the best choice is the choice thats affordable + works well. and has all the connections you need, doesnt overheat, doesnt cause problems, buy it + forget it.
for the goal of compatibility with the earliest tiger OSX.. the 2 undisputed champtions of all factors, price being one of them, power being one of them, im going to have to say its between the 6600GT and the 7600GT because my goal is not games its audio creation and graphics creation. being able to play games for nostalgia is just a bonus cherry on top not the main goal for me. so with that in mind why chase the most expensive baddest card? no thanks ill keep my money in my wallet and ill buy a 2nd hand card that does the job for the least expense.. for me, that card is the GEforce 7600 GT 256MB card. (pny + evga have been noted because they use the proper device id etc but there are lots of other cards from other brand names that will work aswell.
if only the GT220 and GT240 would have added support for tiger + leopard! but they didnt. so here we arel, buying 7600 GT to make it work.
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