Professional Guide to Setting Up an E-GPU with a Hackintosh Laptop

Guide Step by Step:

1. Compatibility Check:

   • Verify that your laptop supports Thunderbolt 3 which is required for most eGPU setups.
   • Ensure your Hackintosh is running macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 or later, as this is when support for eGPUs was introduced.

2. Selecting an E-GPU Enclosure:

   • Choose a reputable eGPU enclosure that is known for good compatibility with macOS, like Razer Core, Sonnet eGFX Breakaway Box, or Aorus Gaming Box.

3. Hardware Requirements:

   • Laptop with Thunderbolt 3 support.
   • eGPU enclosure of your choice.
   • Compatible graphics card (AMD cards are generally preferred for macOS).

4. Preparation:

   • Update your laptop's BIOS to the latest version.
   • On your Hackintosh, ensure that SIP (System Integrity Protection) is disabled, which is typically required to use third-party kexts.

5. Install Necessary Kexts:

   • For Thunderbolt eGPUs, you may need to install Thunderbolt3Unblocker.kext if your device is not natively supported by macOS.
   • Ensure you have Lilu.kext and WhateverGreen.kext, as they are essential for graphics-related patching.
   • Depending on your setup, additional kexts for USB or network functionality through the eGPU might be required.

6. EFI Configuration:

   • Mount your EFI partition and open your config.plist with a plist editor.
   • Under DeviceProperties, add the properties for your eGPU. For example, if using an AMD card, you might need to add the radpg=15 property.
   • Save the changes to your config.plist.

7. Connect and Power On:

   • Connect your eGPU to your laptop using a Thunderbolt 3 cable.
   • Power on the eGPU enclosure before booting up the laptop.

8. System Configuration:

   • Boot into macOS and go to "System Preferences" > "Displays" to configure your display settings.
   • If your system does not recognize the eGPU, you may need to log out and log back in or restart the system with the eGPU connected and powered on.

9. Post-Installation Checks:

   • Verify that the eGPU is recognized in "About This Mac" and "System Information."
   • Run graphics benchmarks or applications to ensure that the eGPU is actively being used.

10. Troubleshooting:

    • If you experience issues, consult the Hackintosh forums for guidance specific to your laptop model and eGPU setup.
    • You may need to experiment with different kexts or system settings.

11. Documentation:

    • Document your hardware setup and configuration steps.
    • Detail what's working and what isn't.
    • Share any unique changes you had to make for your specific build.

12. Final Thoughts:

    • E-GPUs can provide significant performance boosts but may come with some quirks on a Hackintosh.
    • Enjoy the enhanced capabilities of your Hackintosh setup for tasks such as video editing, gaming, or computation-heavy applications.

Note: Do not share your entire EFI folder publicly, as it contains machine-specific configurations that might not be applicable to other users and could pose a security risk. Instead, guide users on how to configure their own EFI based on common principles.

Remember that while Hackintosh communities can be very helpful, setting up an eGPU on a non-Apple device is a complex process that may not work as smoothly as on supported Apple hardware. Proceed with caution and patience.