My current build runs macOS Monterey 12.0.1, OpenCore 0.7.5 and is based on a fanless Intel NUC8i5BEK with a i5-8259U CPU.
- ✅ GPU acceleration
- ✅ HDMI audio
- ✅ HDMI and USB-C video at 2560 x 1440 @ 60 Hz
- ✅ USB2 / USB3 / USB-C
- ✅ SATA storage
- ✅ WiFi/WLAN in M.2 slot
- ❔ Front panel audio: not tested
- ❔ SD card reader: not tested
- ❔ Other display resolutions: not tested
- ❌ Sleep/wake: Doesn't work
- ❌ Bluetooth: Unreliable (maybe antenna is inadequate)
- ❌ Built in WLAN/Bluetooth: It is apparently possible but not perfect
Runs OpenCore 0.7.5:
- config.plist
- EFI directory
- Intel Core i5-8259U CPU (built in)
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 (built in)
- 16GB RAM F4-2400C16D-16G
- Kingston KC600 512GB mSATA SSD (with mSATA adapter)
- Broadcom BCM94360CD WiFi WLAN + Bluetooth 4.0 (with modified M.2 NGFF Adapter Card)
- Alpine AM4 Passive CPU cooler, required some machining to fit
- Makerbeam open case structure
- Custom 3D printed CPU mounting brackets
- Custom 3D printed power switch bracket
Power measured at wall, temperature measured from built in sensors.
| State | Power (watts) | CPU temp (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| Powered off | 0.5 | 0 |
| Booted OS, idle | 6-10 | 29 |
| Normal use with Chrome, AutoCAD, Spotify etc | 10-20 | 40-70 |
| Prime95 or stress | 52 | 90 |
Fusion 360 project file, Heatsink bracket STL and Switch bracket STL files are in: cad-files
Download OpenCore release and other required files:
# Save into separate directory
cd downloads
# Get Nucintosh release
wget https://github.com/zearp/Nucintosh/releases/download/v3.1/EFI_05112021.zip
# Get OpenCore release
wget https://github.com/acidanthera/OpenCorePkg/releases/download/0.7.5/OpenCore-0.7.5-RELEASE.zip
# Get others
wget https://github.com/acidanthera/OcBinaryData/raw/master/Drivers/HfsPlus.efi
wget https://github.com/acidanthera/VirtualSMC/releases/download/1.2.7/VirtualSMC-1.2.7-RELEASE.zip
wget https://github.com/acidanthera/Lilu/releases/download/1.5.7/Lilu-1.5.7-RELEASE.zip
wget https://github.com/acidanthera/WhateverGreen/releases/download/1.5.5/WhateverGreen-1.5.5-RELEASE.zip
wget https://github.com/acidanthera/AppleALC/releases/download/1.6.6/AppleALC-1.6.6-RELEASE.zip
wget https://github.com/acidanthera/IntelMausi/releases/download/1.0.7/IntelMausi-1.0.7-RELEASE.zip
wget https://github.com/acidanthera/BrcmPatchRAM/releases/download/2.6.1/BrcmPatchRAM-2.6.1-RELEASE.zip
wget https://github.com/acidanthera/NVMeFix/releases/download/1.0.9/NVMeFix-1.0.9-RELEASE.zip
# Get required SSDTs
wget https://github.com/dortania/Getting-Started-With-ACPI/raw/master/extra-files/compiled/SSDT-AWAC.aml
wget https://github.com/dortania/Getting-Started-With-ACPI/raw/master/extra-files/compiled/SSDT-PMC.aml
Extract all zip files in downloads.
Now build our initial EFI directory based on OpenCore release, Nucintosh SSDTs and config.plist:
rm -rf EFI
cp -a downloads/OpenCore-0.7.5-RELEASE/X64/EFI .
Clean it up:
cp EFI/OC/Drivers/OpenRuntime.efi .
rm -f EFI/OC/Drivers/*
mv OpenRuntime.efi EFI/OC/Drivers/
cp EFI/OC/Tools/OpenShell.efi .
rm -f EFI/OC/Tools/*
mv OpenShell.efi EFI/OC/Tools/
Add other required files and kexts:
cp downloads/HfsPlus.efi EFI/OC/Drivers/
cp -a downloads/Lilu-1.5.7-RELEASE/Lilu.kext EFI/OC/Kexts/
cp -a downloads/VirtualSMC-1.2.7-RELEASE/Kexts/SMCProcessor.kext EFI/OC/Kexts/
cp -a downloads/VirtualSMC-1.2.7-RELEASE/Kexts/SMCSuperIO.kext EFI/OC/Kexts/
cp -a downloads/VirtualSMC-1.2.7-RELEASE/Kexts/VirtualSMC.kext EFI/OC/Kexts/
cp -a downloads/WhateverGreen-1.5.5-RELEASE/WhateverGreen.kext EFI/OC/Kexts/
cp -a downloads/AppleALC-1.6.6-RELEASE/AppleALC.kext EFI/OC/Kexts/
cp -a downloads/IntelMausi-1.0.7-RELEASE/IntelMausi.kext EFI/OC/Kexts/
cp -a downloads/BrcmPatchRAM-2.6.1-RELEASE/BlueToolFixup.kext EFI/OC/Kexts/
Get config.plist, SSDTs and USBPorts kext from Nucintosh release:
cp downloads/EFI/OC/config.plist EFI/OC/config.plist
cp downloads/EFI/OC/ACPI/*.aml EFI/OC/ACPI/
cp -a downloads/EFI/OC/Kexts/USBPorts.kext EFI/OC/Kexts/
Add SSDTs:
cp downloads/*.aml EFI/OC/ACPI/
Then make some manual changes to config.plist:
- Remove
IntelBluetooth - Remove
cpufriend
Edit config.plist with GenSMBIOS to update the fields:
- MLB
- ROM
- SystemSerialNumber
- SystemUUID
Now copy EFI directory to your USB drive and install macOS Monterey:
Update to the latest (0089) BIOS. Go into BIOS settings and:
- Load BIOS defaults (F9)
- Go to advanced settings
- Devices -> USB:
- Portable Device Charging Mode: OFF
- USB Legacy: Uncheck
- Devices -> Onboard Devices:
- WLAN: Uncheck
- Bluetooth: Uncheck
- Devices -> Legacy Device Configuration -> HDMI CEC Control: Uncheck
- Security -> Thunderbolt Security Level: Legacy Mode
- Power:
- Wake on LAN from S4/S5: Stay Off
- Max Performance Enabled: Uncheck
- Intel Dynamic Power Technology: Energy Efficient Performance
- Color: Violet
- Boot:
- Boot Configuration -> Network Boot: Disable
- Secure Boot: Uncheck