Hey everyone! So, you're thinking about turning the ASRock Z790 PG ITX TB4 into a Hackintosh? Awesome! This motherboard is a little beast, packed with features that make it a surprisingly good candidate for running macOS. But, let's be real, getting macOS to play nice with non-Apple hardware can be a bit of a rollercoaster. Don't worry, though! This guide is here to walk you through the process, step by step, to help you build your very own Hackintosh powered by the ASRock Z790 PG ITX TB4. We'll cover everything from BIOS settings to kext configurations, so you can get your system up and running smoothly.

Why the ASRock Z790 PG ITX TB4?

Okay, first things first, why this particular motherboard? The ASRock Z790 PG ITX TB4 has a few key features that make it attractive for a Hackintosh build:

• Thunderbolt 4: This is a big one, guys. Thunderbolt support can be tricky with Hackintoshes, but when it works, it really works. You get blazing-fast transfer speeds and the ability to connect a wide range of peripherals.
• ITX Form Factor: Perfect for small form-factor builds, meaning you can pack a lot of power into a compact space. If you're into minimalist setups, this is definitely a plus.
• Solid VRM: The Z790 chipset, paired with a decent VRM (Voltage Regulator Module), ensures stable power delivery to your CPU, which is crucial for a smooth and reliable Hackintosh experience.
• Good Compatibility: While not officially supported, the ASRock Z790 PG ITX TB4 has proven to be relatively compatible with macOS, thanks to the efforts of the Hackintosh community.

Before You Start: Gear Up!

Before diving in, make sure you have all the necessary components and tools. This isn't just about the motherboard; it's about the whole system.

• ASRock Z790 PG ITX TB4 Motherboard: Obviously!
• Compatible CPU: Check compatibility lists to ensure your chosen Intel CPU (usually 12th or 13th gen) works well with macOS.
• RAM: At least 16GB is recommended for a smooth experience. 32GB is even better, especially if you plan on doing any heavy lifting like video editing.
• SSD: A fast NVMe SSD is essential for your macOS installation. It'll make a huge difference in boot times and overall performance.
• Graphics Card (Optional): While the integrated graphics on Intel CPUs can work, a dedicated AMD Radeon GPU is often recommended for better compatibility and performance, especially for graphics-intensive tasks. Nvidia cards can be a pain due to driver issues. do your research!. The RX 6600, 6600XT or 6700XT are great value options.
• Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Card (Optional): The onboard Wi-Fi might not be compatible with macOS. A Fenvi T919 or similar card is a popular choice for reliable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
• USB Drive: You'll need an 16GB USB drive to create your macOS installation media.
• Tools: Screwdrivers, anti-static wrist strap, and a whole lot of patience!

Step-by-Step Guide to Hackintosh on ASRock Z790 PG ITX TB4

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. This is where things can get a little technical, but don't worry, we'll break it down into manageable steps.

1. BIOS Configuration: Taming the Beast

The BIOS is the first hurdle. You need to configure it correctly for macOS to even think about booting. Here's what you need to do:

• Access the BIOS: Power on your system and press the designated key (usually Del, F2, or F12) to enter the BIOS setup.
• Disable Secure Boot: This is crucial. macOS doesn't play well with Secure Boot.
• Set SATA Mode to AHCI: This ensures proper detection of your SSD.
• Disable CSM (Compatibility Support Module): CSM can interfere with macOS booting in UEFI mode.
• Enable XHCI Hand-off: This improves USB compatibility.
• Disable Serial/COM Port: Unless you specifically need it, disable it.
• Configure Boot Order: Set your USB drive as the primary boot device.
• Enable Above 4G Decoding: this is very important for some larger GPUs.
• Disable CFG Lock: This setting is crucial for avoiding kernel panics. However, it may not be available on all BIOS versions. If you can't find it, you may need to patch your kernel.
• Disable Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-d): VT-d can cause issues with macOS. Disable it unless you specifically need it for virtualization.
• Save and Exit: Make sure to save your changes before exiting the BIOS.

2. Creating the macOS Installation Media: Your Magic Wand

Next, you need to create a bootable USB drive with the macOS installer.

• Download macOS: Get the latest version of macOS from the Mac App Store (you'll need access to a real Mac or a working Hackintosh for this).
• Create a Bootable USB: Use a tool like GibMacOS, or the manual method using createinstallmedia in Terminal. This process will format your USB drive and copy the macOS installation files onto it.
• Prepare Your EFI Folder: The EFI folder is where the magic happens. This folder contains the bootloader (OpenCore or Clover) and the necessary kexts (kernel extensions) to make your hardware compatible with macOS. You'll need to download OpenCore and the required kexts.

3. Gathering Kexts: The Compatibility Toolkit

Kexts are like drivers for macOS. They tell the operating system how to interact with your hardware. Here are some essential kexts you'll need:

• Lilu.kext: A must-have kext that patches the kernel to allow other kexts to work.
• VirtualSMC.kext: Emulates the System Management Controller (SMC) found in real Macs.
• WhateverGreen.kext: Handles graphics injection and patching for both Intel and AMD GPUs.
• AppleALC.kext: Enables audio support.
• RealtekRTL8125.kext: Enables Ethernet support for the Realtek RTL8125B chip found on the ASRock Z790 PG ITX TB4.
• USBToolBox.kext + UTBMap.kext: For proper USB mapping. This is crucial for avoiding USB issues.
• XHCI-Unsupported.kext: For enabling XHCI.
• NVMeFix.kext: Fixes issues with some NVMe SSDs.
• IntelBTPatcher.kext and BlueToolFixup.kext: Used with AirportItlwm.kext for fixing native bluetooth on Intel.
• RestrictEvents.kext: Used to disable features that will cause issue on hackintosh.
• CpuTscSync.kext: Syncs CPU time stamps, fixing kernel panics on some CPUs.

4. Configuring OpenCore: The Bootloader Maestro

OpenCore is the bootloader that will allow you to boot into macOS. You need to configure it correctly to match your hardware.

• Create the config.plist: This is the main configuration file for OpenCore. You can use a sample config.plist as a starting point and then customize it to match your hardware. Tools like ProperTree can help you edit the config.plist.
• Mount the EFI Partition: You need to mount the EFI partition on your USB drive to copy the OpenCore files and kexts into it.
• Copy OpenCore Files: Copy the OpenCore bootloader (BOOTx64.efi and OpenCore.efi) to the EFI/OC folder on your USB drive.
• Copy Kexts: Copy all the necessary kexts to the EFI/OC/Kexts folder on your USB drive.
• Configure config.plist: This is the most complex part. You need to configure the config.plist to tell OpenCore how to boot macOS. This involves specifying the correct boot arguments, kext injection settings, and other hardware-specific parameters. Use the Dortania guide for the best information to configure your config.plist.

5. Booting and Installing macOS: The Moment of Truth

Now comes the exciting part: booting from your USB drive and installing macOS.

• Boot from USB: Plug your USB drive into your ASRock Z790 PG ITX TB4 system and power it on. Make sure your BIOS is configured to boot from the USB drive.
• OpenCore Boot Menu: You should see the OpenCore boot menu. Select the option to boot from the macOS installer.
• macOS Installer: The macOS installer will launch. Follow the on-screen instructions to install macOS on your SSD. Make sure to format your SSD as APFS during the installation process.
• First Boot: After the installation is complete, your system will reboot. Boot from your SSD this time.

6. Post-Installation: Fine-Tuning Your Hackintosh

Once macOS is installed and running, you'll need to do some post-installation tweaks to get everything working perfectly.

• Copy EFI Folder to SSD: Copy the EFI folder from your USB drive to the EFI partition on your SSD. This will allow you to boot macOS without the USB drive.
• USB Mapping: Use USBToolBox to properly map USB ports.
• Audio Configuration: Use AppleALC to configure audio. You may need to try different layout IDs to find one that works with your audio codec.
• Network Configuration: If your Wi-Fi or Ethernet isn't working, you may need to install additional kexts or configure your network settings.
• Graphics Configuration: If you're using a dedicated GPU, make sure it's properly configured in WhateverGreen. You may need to adjust the device-id and other parameters.
• iServices: Enable iServices like iMessage and FaceTime.

Troubleshooting: When Things Go Wrong

Hackintoshing is rarely a smooth process. You're likely to encounter some issues along the way. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

• Kernel Panic: This is a common error that indicates a problem with your kexts or configuration. Check your config.plist for errors and make sure you have the correct kexts for your hardware.
• Boot Loop: This happens when your system gets stuck in a loop while trying to boot. This is often caused by a problem with the bootloader or the EFI folder. Try booting with a different EFI folder or reinstalling OpenCore.
• No Audio: This is often caused by an incorrect layout ID in AppleALC. Try different layout IDs until you find one that works.
• No Network: This can be caused by missing kexts or incorrect network settings. Make sure you have the correct kexts for your Wi-Fi and Ethernet controllers, and that your network settings are properly configured.
• USB Issues: This is often caused by improper USB mapping. Use USBToolBox to properly map your USB ports.

Conclusion: Enjoy Your Hackintosh!

Building a Hackintosh on the ASRock Z790 PG ITX TB4 can be a challenging but rewarding experience. With the right preparation, configuration, and troubleshooting, you can have a fully functional macOS system running on custom hardware. Remember to be patient, do your research, and don't be afraid to ask for help from the Hackintosh community. Happy Hacking!