Starting a Hackintosh Project with Ryzen and RX6800

Target Audience: Beginners to Intermediate Users Looking to Install macOS on PC Hardware

Objective:

Guide on how to start a Hackintosh project with a Ryzen 1700x CPU, RX6800 GPU, and B450 motherboard while also having Windows 11 and Ubuntu installed.

Getting Started:

1. Research:

   • Understand that a Hackintosh is a PC running macOS, which is not supported by Apple.
   • Recognize the legal and ethical considerations of installing macOS on non-Apple hardware.

2. Compatibility Check:

   • Ryzen CPUs are not natively supported by macOS, requiring custom kernels or patches.
   • The RX6800 GPU should be supported from macOS Big Sur 11.4 onwards.

3. Gather Resources:

   • iATKOS Project: You're already on the right track by reading through the iATKOS website.
   • Dortania's OpenCore Install Guide: A comprehensive resource for building a Hackintosh with OpenCore.
   • AMD OS X: A community for users who want to run macOS on AMD CPUs.

4. Prepare Installation Media:

   • Obtain a macOS installer from the App Store (if you have access to a Mac) or other legal sources.
   • Create a bootable USB drive with the macOS installer.

5. Configure Bootloader:

   • Use OpenCore as the bootloader, which is more compatible with AMD CPUs.
   • Follow the OpenCore guide for AMD systems closely, as the configuration differs from Intel systems.

6. Kexts and Patches:

   • Use kernel patches for AMD CPUs provided by the Hackintosh community.
   • Include essential kexts like Lilu.kext, WhateverGreen.kext, and VirtualSMC.kext.

7. BIOS Settings:

   • Disable features like CSM, Secure Boot, and Fast Boot.
   • Enable settings like AHCI for SATA.

8. Multi-Booting Caution:

   • Backup your existing Windows and Ubuntu installations before proceeding.
   • Understand the risk of bootloader conflicts when multi-booting.

9. Installation:

   • Boot from the USB drive, format the target SSD partition using Disk Utility, and install macOS.
   • Post-installation, apply any additional patches or kexts required for full system functionality.

10. Post-Installation Setup:

    • Set up the bootloader on your system's EFI partition for seamless booting.
    • Configure macOS system preferences and drivers for your specific hardware.

Feedback and Support:

• Join Hackintosh forums or subreddits to get community support.
• Share your build details and ask for advice specific to your hardware.

Reminder:

• A Hackintosh project can be time-consuming and may face stability or update issues.
• Always keep backups of your data and system as you experiment with the installation.

Getting started with a Hackintosh project can be challenging, especially with AMD hardware, but it's also an engaging and rewarding hobby for those interested in computer systems. It's crucial to use the most up-to-date guides and resources to ensure compatibility and stability with the latest macOS versions.