Building a custom computer for Mac OS X can be a very rewarding experience, When you choose compatible hardware, the results can be astonishing. Based on our research, all of the components listed in this guide are compatible with Mac OS X. Included are bare bones builds and individual items through which you can design your own custom rig. All builds are fully compatible with UniBeast, have pre-edited DSDTs available in our DSDT Database.
CustoMac Mini 2011
A lower power CustoMac mini-ITX build in a shoebox-sized case with integrated graphics and a dual-core CPU. Size and quietness makes it a great HTPC. Check out the full build post here.
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CPU | Intel Core i3-2105 | Amazon Newegg |
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Motherboard | Gigabyte GA-H67N-USB3-B3 |
Amazon Newegg |
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Alternate Motherboard | Gigabyte GA-H61N-USB3 |
Amazon Newegg |
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RAM | CORSAIR 8GB DDR3 | Amazon Newegg |
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Case + Power Supply | APEX MI-008 Mini-ITX | Amazon Newegg |
CustoMac Budget Build
A mATX midsized desktop build featuring budget-minded parts. Contains a dual-core CPU, mATX form factor, and integrated graphics.
| CPU | Intel Core i3-2105 | Amazon Newegg |
 | Motherboard | Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 | Amazon Newegg |
 | RAM | CORSAIR 8GB DDR3 | Amazon Newegg |
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Case
| Cooler Master 341 | Amazon Newegg |
 | Power Supply | Corsair 430w | Amazon Newegg |
CustoMac Pro Builds
These full sized ATX builds have quad-core CPUs, maxed out RAM, and lots of expandability. Well suited for any demanding uses. We've also included a high-end graphics card.
| CPU | Intel Core i5-2500K | Amazon Newegg |
 | Motherboard | Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 | Amazon Newegg |
 | Graphics Card |
AMD Radeon HD 6850
| Amazon Newegg |
 | Case | Corsair Carbide Series 400R | Amazon Newegg |
 | RAM | 16GB Corsair 1600Mhz DDR3 | Amazon Newegg |
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Power Supply
| Corsair 650watt | Amazon Newegg |
This specialized high-end build features a mSATA slot on the board, which you can actually use as a system drive if you get a compatible mSATA SSD.
| CPU | Intel Core i7-2600K | Amazon Newegg |
| Motherboard | Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3 | Amazon Newegg |
 | Graphics Card |
AMD Radeon HD 6870
| Amazon Newegg |
 | mSATA SSD |
60GB OCZ Nocti Series SATA 3Gb/s
| Amazon Newegg |
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Case
|
Corsair Carbide Series 400R
| Amazon Newegg |
| RAM | 16GB Corsair 1600Mhz DDR3 | Amazon Newegg |
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Power Supply
| Corsair 650watt | Amazon Newegg |
Operating System
The world's most advanced operating system is available at a bargain price. Purchase Mac OS X Lion via the Mac App Store, Apple.com, or any retail Apple Store location.
 | Mac OS X Lion Application | Mac App Store |
 | Mac OS X Lion USB Thumb Drive | Apple.com |
One of the most important components in a custom build is the graphics card. If you're building a CustoMac, it's an especially tricky decision. Not only do you have to worry about what will be a good performer for the cost, but you also have to be informed what is fully supported, and what is not.
Note: NVIDIA GeForce 4xx and 5xx cards will need the Combo OpenCL Enabler available in the latest MultiBeast. Details here.
 | NVIDIA GeForce 9400 GT | Amazon Newegg |
 | NVIDIA GeForce 9500 GT | Amazon Newegg |
 | NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT | Amazon |
 | NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT (NO HDMI) | Amazon |
 | NVIDIA GeForce GT 210 | Amazon Newegg |
 | NVIDIA GeForce GT 220 | Amazon Newegg |
 | NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 | Amazon Newegg |
 | NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 (NO HDMI) | Amazon Newegg |
 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 | Amazon Newegg |
 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275 | Amazon |
 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285 | Amazon |
 | GeForce GT 430 | Amazon Newegg |
 | GeForce GTS 450 | Amazon Newegg |
 | GeForce GTX 460 | Amazon Newegg |
 | GeForce GTX 470 | Amazon Newegg |
 | GeForce GTX 480 | Amazon Newegg |
 | GeForce GT 520 | Amazon Newegg |
 | GeForce GTX 550ti | Amazon Newegg |
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GeForce GTX 560 | Amazon Newegg |
 | GeForce GTX 560ti | Amazon Newegg |
 | GeForce GTX 570 | Amazon Newegg |
 | GeForce GTX 580 | Amazon Newegg |
 | NVIDIA Quadro FX 4000 for Mac | Amazon |
 | NVIDIA Quadro FX 4800 for Mac | Amazon |
 | ATI Radeon HD 5570 | Amazon Newegg |
 | ATI Radeon HD 5770 |
Newegg |
 | ATI Radeon HD 5850 | Amazon |
 | ATI Radeon HD 5870 | Amazon |
 | AMD Radeon HD 6670 | Amazon |
| AMD Radeon HD 6850 | Amazon Newegg |
| AMD Radeon HD 6870 | Amazon Newegg |
Motherboards
These Socket 1155 Z68 motherboards are all good choices with compatible audio, networking, and a range of port options.
 | Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 | ATX, VGA, DVI, HDMI, USB 3.0 | Amazon Newegg |
 | Gigabyte GA-Z68M-D2H | mATX, VGA, DVI, HDMI | Amazon Newegg |
 | Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 | mATX, VGA, DVI, HDMI, USB 3.0 | Amazon Newegg |
 | Gigabyte GA-Z68MX-UD2H-B3 | mATX, VGA, DVI, HDMI, DP, USB 3.0, eSATA, | Amazon Newegg |
 | Gigabyte GA-Z68P-DS3 | ATX, HDMI, eSATA | Amazon Newegg |
 | Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 | ATX,VGA, DVI, HDMI, DP, USB 3.0 | Amazon Newegg |
 | Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD7-B3 | ATX, No Onboard Video, USB 3.0, eSATA, 2x PCIe x16 | Amazon Newegg |
 | Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3 | ATX, HDMI, mSATA, USB 3.0, FireWire | Amazon Newegg |
 | Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3-iSSD | ATX, HDMI, mSATA + SSD, USB 3.0, FireWire | Amazon Newegg |
 | Gigabyte
GA-Z68XP-UD4
| ATX, HDMI, USB 3.0, eSATA, FireWire | Amazon Newegg |
 | Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD5 | ATX, HDMI USB 3.0, eSATA, FireWire | Amazon Newegg |
CPUs
We recommend Sandy Bridge Socket 1155 CPUs with HD 3000 integrated graphics, even if getting a separate graphics card.
| Intel Core i3-2105 3.1Ghz | 2 Cores / 4 Threads | Amazon Newegg |
| Intel Core i3-2125 3.3Ghz | 2 Cores / 4 Threads | Amazon Newegg |
| Intel Core i5-2405S 2.5Ghz | 4 Cores / 4 Threads, Turbo | Amazon Newegg |
| Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3Ghz | 4 Cores / 4 Threads, Turbo Unlocked for Overclocking | Amazon Newegg |
| Intel Core i7-2600K 3.4Ghz | 4 Cores / 8 Threads, Turbo Unlocked for Overclocking | Amazon Newegg |
| Intel Core i7-2700K 3.5Ghz | 4 Cores / 8 Threads, Turbo Unlocked for Overclocking | Amazon Newegg |
Drives
Hard drives are unusually expensive right now, making SSDs a good bet for some users. If you have an older drive to use with your build, it would be wise to hold off for a month or two. Choose a 1TB or less hard drive if planning to use Chimera/Chameleon as your bootloader. | 500GB | Hitachi Deskstar SATA 3Gb/s | Amazon Newegg |
| 500GB | Seagate Barracuda SATA 6Gb/s | Amazon Newegg |
| 1TB | Seagate Barracuda SATA 6Gb/s | Amazon Newegg |
 | 60GB | Corsair Force Series 3 SATA 6Gb/s | Amazon Newegg |
| 120GB | Corsair Force Series 3 SATA 6Gb/s | Amazon Newegg |
| 240GB | Corsair Force Series 3 SATA 6Gb/s | Amazon Newegg |
| 120GB | OCZ Agility 3 SATA 6Gb/s | Amazon |
| 240GB | OCZ Agility 3 SATA 6Gb/s | Amazon |
 | 8GB | USB Flash Drive | Amazon Newegg |
 | Optical Drive | Sony Optiarc | Amazon Newegg |
Accessories
 | Apple Wired Keyboard | Amazon |
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Apple Wireless Keyboard
| Amazon |
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Apple Magic Trackpad
| Amazon |
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Apple Magic Mouse
| Amazon |
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Jabra A320S USB
Bluetooth Adapter | Amazon |
 | Amazon |
Remember, when building your own rig, it's easy to get frustrated- don't give up! There are users with similar specs in the tonymacx86 Forum to help you out if you get stuck.
Oh, and don't forget, if you end up buying anything, click through one of the links here. That way, you'll be supporting the site, as well as getting the best prices. Thanks in advance!
Good luck, and let us know how it goes!
-tonymacx86 & MacMan
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