Choosing the right graphics card is crucial for building a Hackintosh that runs macOS smoothly. The latest macOS versions – Ventura, Monterey, and Big Sur – work best with certain AMD and Nvidia GPUs. This comprehensive guide covers the best GPUs for Hackintosh in 2023 that are officially supported and require minimal tweaks for full functionality.
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AMD Graphics Cards
AMD cards have native support in macOS and are the most hassle-free options. Here are the best AMD GPUs for Hackintosh:
1. AMD Radeon RX 580
The RX 580 is arguably the best bang-for-buck option for Hackintosh. It delivers smooth 1080p gaming and video editing performance at an affordable price point. Some top variants are:
- Sapphire Pulse RX 580 8GB
- XFX RX 580 GTS XXX Edition 8GB
- ASUS Dual RX 580 OC 8GB
The RX 580 runs flawlessly out-of-the-box on Monterey and Big Sur with basic bootloader tweaks. It’s also compatible with the latest macOS Ventura.
2. AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT
The RX 5700 XT delivers smooth 1440p gaming and video editing at high settings. It’s about 15-30% faster than the RX 580. Some recommended options are:
- Sapphire Pulse RX 5700 XT 8GB
- Gigabyte RX 5700 XT Gaming OC 8G
This GPU works out-of-the-box on Monterey and newer macOS versions. It’s an ideal pick if you need more graphics horsepower.
3. AMD Radeon RX 6800/6800 XT
The RX 6800 series cards are AMD’s latest offerings that deliver blazing fast 4K gaming performance in macOS. They require a bit more tweaking but work well on Monterey and Ventura with the right configuration.
The Sapphire Nitro+ RX 6800 XT is an excellent high-end choice for buttery smooth 4K video editing and gaming.
Nvidia Graphics Cards
Nvidia GPUs require more tweaking to work in Hackintosh but deliver superior performance for tasks like AI/ML, 3D rendering and 4K video editing. Some good options are:
1. Nvidia GTX 1660 Super
The GTX 1660 Super matches the RX 580 in gaming performance but costs a bit more. It works well in Monterey and Ventura with the right drivers and tweaks.
2. Nvidia RTX 2060
The RTX 2060 enables smooth 1440p gaming with ray tracing enabled. It’s about 15-30% faster than the GTX 1660 Super. Some decent options are:
- MSI Ventus RTX 2060 OC
- Zotac Gaming RTX 2060
With the correct configuration, this GPU will deliver solid performance in Monterey and newer macOS releases.
3. Nvidia RTX 3070/3080
Nvidia’s RTX 3000 series cards like the RTX 3070 and RTX 3080 are extremely powerful but also tricky to configure in Hackintosh. With the right drivers and tweaks, you can achieve smooth 4K gaming and content creation.
If you have experience with Hackintosh, the ASUS TUF RTX 3080 V2 OC is an excellent high-end choice.
How to Choose the Best GPU for Hackintosh?
Here are some tips to select the ideal graphics card for your Hackintosh build:
- AMD cards are the easiest plug-and-play options for beginners.
- Nvidia GPUs require more effort but deliver better performance for professional workloads.
- Aim for at least 6GB VRAM for smooth 1440p gaming and video editing.
- Make sure the card is compatible with the latest macOS Ventura.
- Reference AMD and Nvidia cards tend to work better than customized models.
- Be prepared to tweak bootloaders, drivers, and DSDT for non-AMD cards.
Also check the GPU’s power consumption, size, cooling solution and ports to ensure compatibility with your PC build.
GPU Settings for Hackintosh
To get your GPU fully functional in macOS, apply these tweaks in your config.plist file:
- Add AAPL,ig-platform-id with the right value for your card.
- Set framebuffer patches like framebuffer-fbmem, framebuffer-patch-enable etc.
- Add boot arguments like agdpmod=pikera.
- Configure device properties for maximum power management.
Refer to online Hackintosh communities for the ideal settings for your GPU and macOS version.
People Also Ask
Is Nvidia or AMD better for Hackintosh?
AMD cards generally work out-of-the-box and require minimal effort. Nvidia GPUs need more tweaking but deliver better performance for professional workflows.
What is the best budget GPU for Hackintosh?
The AMD Radeon RX 580 is the best budget GPU for Hackintosh. It works flawlessly with macOS and delivers great 1080p gaming performance under $200.
Can you use RTX 3000 series on Hackintosh?
Yes, Nvidia RTX 3000 series GPUs like RTX 3060 Ti, RTX 3070 and RTX 3080 can work on Hackintosh Monterey/Ventura with the right configuration.
Is RX 6700 XT compatible with Hackintosh?
Yes, the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT is compatible with Hackintosh running Monterey or newer. It requires some tweaking but delivers fast 1440p gaming performance.
Does Hackintosh work with RTX 3060?
The Nvidia RTX 3060 can work on Hackintosh builds but requires FakePCIID kexts, proper NVRAM settings and SMBIOS configuration for full functionality.
