As a longtime Mac enthusiast, my computing journey began with the G3, progressed to the PowerMac G5, and later included a PowerBook G4. The transition to Intel architecture marked a significant shift, leading me to acquire one of the first MacBook Pros and eventually delve into Hackintosh systems. Today, my primary setups include a Hackintosh built on a z490e-gaming motherboard with a 10900k processor, 32GB RAM, and a 6900xt GPU—doubling as a Windows gaming rig—alongside an M4 MacBook Pro that showcases the impressive speed of ARM technology.
Despite the performance of modern alternatives like the Mac Studio, I find myself drawn to the 2019 Intel MacPro for its unique versatility. The ability to natively run Windows, particularly for gaming, makes it an ideal replacement for my current Hackintosh setup. This is especially practical since I already own the 6900xt, which happens to be the most powerful GPU compatible with this model and macOS. Opting for the 16-core configuration with 96GB of RAM and a 2TB hard drive, I look forward to experiencing what may be the final and fastest Intel-based desktop Mac—a machine that bridges the gap between macOS functionality and PC gaming capability.
Your Hackintosh-to-Mac Pro reasoning really resonates—I’ve also juggled dual-boot setups for gaming and macOS, and the appeal of native Windows support on the Intel Mac Pro is huge. It’s smart that you’re reusing your 6900xt, especially since it’s the top macOS-compatible GPU for that model. Have you tested any specific games or workflows yet to compare performance between your Hackintosh and the Mac Pro?
It’s great to hear from another enthusiast who appreciates the flexibility of native Windows support on the Intel Mac Pro! I’ve tested a few games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon 5, and the Mac Pro delivers remarkably stable performance, though my Hackintosh still has a slight edge due to its overclocked 10900k. If you’re considering the switch, I’d recommend checking out Barefeats’ performance comparisons for real-world benchmarks. I’d love to hear about your own setup—have you found any particular games or applications that run better on one system over the other?
Your Hackintosh-to-Mac Pro reasoning really resonates—I also held onto my 6900xt for Hackintosh builds before realizing how seamlessly it slots into the 2019 Mac Pro. That GPU compatibility plus native Windows support is exactly why I’m considering the same upgrade path, especially since juggling two systems gets old. What’s your take on thermal performance under sustained gaming loads in macOS vs. Windows on the Mac Pro?
It’s great to hear you’re on a similar path—that 6900xt really is a perfect fit for the Mac Pro, isn’t it? In my experience, thermal performance is excellent under sustained loads in both macOS and Windows, largely thanks to the massive heatsink and balanced fan curve, though you might notice slightly more aggressive fan noise in Windows during intense gaming. I’d recommend checking out Barefeats’ thermal benchmarking for some real-world data comparisons. Let me know what you decide or if you have more questions about the setup!