Haswell Hackintosh vs iMac 2013

[GWestphal]

I priced out a high end hackintosh:

gigabyte z87x-ud5h
i7 4770
32 GB DDR3
AMD R9 280X
512GB 840 Pro
3TB WD Red
QNIX 27" S-IPS LED monitor
Total ~$2200

I'm curious how it would compare in performance so the 2013 27" iMac.

The biggest differences are obviously in the CPU and GPU. But as I'm not a huge gamer, I'm perfectly happy with 40fps if I casually play a game like starcraft or diablo.

I know on synthetics the hack would pull way ahead, but in terms of actually real world responsiveness, my guess is that they would be pretty similar. Does anyone have first hand experience that would bear that out?

My primary use is general productivity, light gaming, light scientific computing (Matlab etc), light software development, light photo editing.

I used to love to build and dabble but I'm beginning appreciate just have systems that work without hassles and do what I need them today, since I'll probably just completely upgrade in 4 years or so.

 

[Zaap]

Really depends on your needs. A Hackintosh depends on your ability to follow directions and understand that since it isn't actually an authentic Mac, you have to follow rules unique to using a different platform.

Don't be fooled by naysayers that have no real experience with Hacks, and haven't been running them for years with few issues. There are plenty of people who have, who can give a more accurate outlook. For me, there's no other way I'd ever go for a desktop running OSX as long as a Hackintosh is possible. I've been running them as my primary machines since 2008 and never looked back. But it's not for everyone.

My advice, if you really want to get into it: go to Tonymacx86.com, and look over things like the Buyer's Guide, the new interactive guide, and the help forums.

I'm not sure if your chosen graphics card is compatible or not. I'd check and double check and check again. Personally, I'd stick with cards that are known to work perfectly and are easy to set up, mainly the ones on TM's buyer's guide lists:

http://www.tonymacx86.com/393-building-customac-buyer-s-guide-october-2013.html#gfx_cards

From what you list as graphic needs, I think you can come way down from the range of card you list, to something like say, an nVidia GTX 650. Personally, I'm done with futzing with AMD cards on a Hackintosh- I've had no trouble with compatible nVidia cards, and for my money, they offer better bang-for-buck. (The 6870 in my sig system works fine, but it's a bit of a PITA to set up and there's no way I'd buy a similar card again vs. a decent nVidia card.)

Also find a good setup guide and be familair with what to expect getting things up and running. Nowadays the options are interesting (and possibly tricky as well) because you'll need a Mac that's already up and running to download and prepare an installer for the new Mavericks OS.


If you're not one to jump through any hoops and you just want OOB and go, then stick with the iMac. For the same $2200 (a bit steep for a Hack, IMO, but you are adding the expense of a 27" IPS screen) you should be able to get a pretty tricked out iMac that does everything you want. You'll definitely have the benefit of nothing to figure out, full support, and no setup beyond turn it on and go.

For the uses you suggest, I don't see why you wouldn't be just as well served with an i5 vs. and i7, and the differences in video card. A Hack can certainly be built that's faster, with tons more internal expansion options, but it doesn't sound to me like you really require all of that. My guess is you'd be perfectly fine with an iMac.