[Amazon.ca] Intel NUC 8 Mainstream Kit (NUC8i5BEH) - Core i5, Tall, Add't Components Needed 439.11

metallicloud wrote: ↑ Love my NUC8!
This unit can be a perfect Mac mini replacement (x86). Especially when compare it with the previous base model (i3 8100B/HD 630), better CPU performance and much better GPU performance.

Mine currently runs on Mojave (10.14.6) flawlessly using OpenCore and the latest community EFI setup. I bought the tall version so I was able to substitute M.2 SSD to a MacBook Air's Wireless/BT card (BCM94360CS2)

Everything just works fine like a real Mac Lol Including iCloud/AirDrop/Handoff/Mobile Hotspot/Apple Watch unlock, even Sidecar if you install Catalina instead. All ports function well including the Thunderbolt 3. I haven't really found any random software issues. It's incredible tbh. Never had such a pain-free hackintosh experience.

Also the i5 version suffers less from thermal throttling compare to the i7, it actually ends up having stronger continuing performance when it gets hot.

Too bad the newer NUCs don't get as good Hackintosh compatibility as NUC8s.

wruoca wrote: ↑ Thanks for sharing your experience in here. Will this NUC+64GB RAM work for Hackintosh?

There is a deal of 64GB ram at Amazon now: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07ZLCC6J8

daviiiiiid wrote: ↑ You cant fit 8 memory sticks in a NUC.

andyyuen wrote: ↑ Just want to ask for your opinion.
If you were to make a choice today, Would you go straight for the new mac mini w/ m1? it is about $981 tax in @ edu store
I know that you can potentially add more ram and more storage for the NUC.

wruoca wrote: ↑ It’s 2 SODIMM (2x32GB).

wruoca wrote: ↑ Thanks for sharing your experience in here. Will this NUC+64GB RAM work for Hackintosh?

There is a deal of 64GB ram at Amazon now: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07ZLCC6J8

metallicloud wrote: ↑ Yeah it does support 64GB RAM. (Officially 32GB but 64GB is tested working)

You should be able to boot into windows 10 without a problem. But in hackintosh, 64GB RAM works only with OpenCore 0.5.3 and above (2 * 32GB). If you decide to use Clover bootloader, make sure to simulate the 64GB RAM as 4*16GB in SMBIOS, then you should be able to boot into macOS. But I always recommend OpenCore more. Just use the EFI I attached earlier. It works nicely.

(For anyone who plans to install 1 * 32GB RAM, make sure to use the upper slot, the bottom slot does not support a single 32GB stick)

rfcclub wrote: ↑ Barebone like DESKMINI X300 is always a good choice. However I must wait until I get a green light and there is a 4000/5000 series APU available out there.
ASRock DESKMINI X300W Supports AMD AM4 Socket CPUs (Renoir, Picasso, Raven Ridge, up to 65W) AMD X300 Mini / Booksize Barebone System
For immediate buy:
Barebone price is about 249 CAD after rebate + AMD Ryzen 5 3400G 199 CAD ~ 449 CAD. Cheaper than Intel NUC and we still must add RAM + peripherals.
AMD Ryzen 3400G 199CAD