# Hardware and BIOS:
> ## PM981:
For installation on the factory drive `PM981`, please refer to [Issue #43](https://github.com/tylernguyen/x1c6-hackintosh/issues/43). A note however, installation and upgrading on the `PM981` can be problematic and troublesome. For a smoother experience, replace it with an aftermarket NVMe. For that, refer to [dortania/Anti-Hackintosh-Buyers-Guide](https://dortania.github.io/Anti-Hackintosh-Buyers-Guide/Storage.html).
> ## WiFi and Bluetooth:
Replace factory Intel WiFi module with a macOS compatible one. Make sure that the card is of M.2 form factor. I replaced it with the BCM94360CS2 card. This works out of the box without additional kexts and has been stable for me thus far.
**If your laptop did not come with WWAN, you can purchase additional antennas to add to your laptop. This is useful when using WiFi/Bluetooth cards that have 3 antennas.**
- The BCM94360CS2 module comes from the 2013 MacBook Air, supports BT 4.0 and 802.11a/g/n/ac. They run on eBay for <\$15.
- For the BCM94360CS2 to work with the x1c6, you would also need a M.2 NGFF adapter. They run for <\$10 on eBay under "BCM94360CS2 m2 adapter"
- Above is my current setup.
However, there exists other alternatives with better WiFi and Bluetooth standards, but additional kexts are required. See [`dortania/Wireless-Buyers-Guide`](https://dortania.github.io/Wireless-Buyers-Guide/).
> ## BIOS Settings:
At the minimum, these BIOS settings must be made to install and run macOS without any problems:
| Main Menu | Sub 1 | Sub 2 | Sub 3 |
| --------- | ----------- | --------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| | >> Security | >> Security Chip | Security Chip `DISABLED` |
| | | >> Fingerprint | Predesktop Authentication `DISABLED` |
| | | >> Secure Boot Configuration | Secure Boot `DISABLED` |
| | | | Press `Clear All Secure Boot Keys` |
| | | >> Intel SGX | Intel SGX Control `DISABLED` |
| | >> Config | >> Network | Wake on Lan `DISABLED` |
| | | | Wake on Lan from Dock `DISABLED` |
| | | | UEFI IPv4 Network Stack `DISABLED` |
| | | | UEFI IPv6 Network Stack `DISABLED` |
| | >> Startup | UEFI/Legacy Boot `UEFI Only` | |
| | | CSM Support `No` (per OpenCore Documentation) | |
* You should also disable hardware devices you do not need to save power, some examples are:
| Main Menu | Sub 1 | Sub 2 | Sub 3 |
| --------- | ----------- | --------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| | >> Security | >> I/O Port Access | Wireless WAN `DISABLED` |
| | | | Fingerprint Reader `DISABLED` |
| | | | Memory Card Slot `DISABLED` |
| | >> Config | >> USB | Always On USB `DISABLED` |
* If you do not use Thunderbolt 3 hotplug in macOS (don't mind shutting down the machine to connect TB3 devices), this will drastically lower power consumption:
| Main Menu | Sub 1 | Sub 2 | Sub 3 |
| --------- | ----------- | --------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| | >> Config | >> Thunderbolt (TM) 3 | Thunderbolt BIOS Assist Mode `Enabled` |
| | | | Thunderbolt(TM) Device `Enabled` |
* If you do do want to use Thunderbolt 3 hotplug in macOS (at the expense of idle power consumption):
- NOTE: If you do have a modded BIOS firmware, please reset all settings relating to Thunderbolt 3 to default, all that's needed are settings detailed below or in [1_README-HARDWAREandBIOS.md](https://github.com/tylernguyen/x1c6-hackintosh/blob/master/docs/1_README-HARDWAREandBIOS.md)
| Main Menu | Sub 1 | Sub 2 | Sub 3 |
| --------- | ----------- | --------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| | >> Config | >> Thunderbolt (TM) 3 | Thunderbolt BIOS Assist Mode `Disabled` |
| | | | Security Level `No Security` |
| | | | Support in Pre Boot Environment: Thunderbolt(TM) Device `Disabled` |
> ## Modding the BIOS:
### A modded BIOS will allow for more optimizations to be made for macOS and will overall make your hackintosh better. I am a BIOS modding novice myself, but with these instructions, I was able to mod my x1c6 BIOS in less than one hour. I fully recommend doing this for all who think themselves capable. Furthermore, the default `config.plist` for this repository is meant to accommodate a modded BIOS with appropriate settings. If you cannot mod your BIOS or is unwilling to do so, use `config_unmoddedBIOS.plist`.
[SPI Programmer CH341a and SOIC8 connector](https://www.amazon.com/Organizer-Socket-Adpter-Programmer-CH341A/dp/B07R5LPTYM) are needed.
Here are the steps to mod your BIOS (credits to paranoidbashthot and \x):
- Refer to http://paranoid.anal-slavery.com/biosmods/skylake.html
- Use `xx_80_patches-v*.txt`, I commented out WWAN patches since I do not need it.
- [@notthebee](https://github.com/notthebee) also has a useful video to follow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce7kqUEccUM
- Remember to **dump the vanilla twice and use `diff` to make sure things were dumped properly**, store this backup somewhere safe.
- Confirmed working `BIOS-v1.45`, I cannot be sure about other BIOS versions. Though they will most likely work as well.
- The modded BIOS does not need to be signed by `thinkpad-eufi-sign`. Just **remember to replace 4C 4E 56 42 42 53 45 43 FB with 4C 4E 56 42 42 53 45 43 FF on the patched BIOS.**
- The BIOS chip is located above the CPU, under the sticker shield:
- Your BIOS chip may not be made by Winbond, but by Macronix instead. In that case, add the argument `-c MX25L12835F/MX25L12845E/MX25L12865E` to `flashrom`. See [Issue #116](https://github.com/tylernguyen/x1c6-hackintosh/issues/116#issuecomment-778654320)
- Successfully modding your BIOS will reveal the `Advance Menu` tab:
- It goes without saying, after doing this, do not update your BIOS unless you want to do this again.
### Finally, make sure to backup your pre-modded BIOS twice and compare the two to make sure that it was dumped properly. Furthermore, attempt this at your own risk, I am not responsible for any damages you may cause.
> ## Modded BIOS Settings:
The following are further optimization settings that can be figured once your BIOS is modded.
> * These settings are universally recommended optimizations for your hackintosh:
| Main Menu | Sub 1 | Sub 2 | Sub 3 | Sub 4 |
|--------------|------------------------|------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|--------------------------|
| Advanced Tab | >> Intel Advanced Menu | >> System Agent (SA) Configuration | >> Graphics Configuration | DVMT Pre-Allocated `64M` |
| | | >> Power & Performance | >> CPU - Power Management Control | >> CPU Lock Configuration (Last item, scroll up/down until you see it) CFG Lock `Disabled`|
* I also recommend undervolting your machine regarless of your usage, the following are stable settings for my x1c6 with `i7-8650U`, verified by stress testing with `Prime95` and `Heaven Benchmark`, your may be worse or better, please do your own testing. In addition, I suggest you repaste your machine with an aftermarket thermal paste for lower temps and a better undervolt.
| Main Menu | Sub 1 | Sub 2 | Sub 3 | Sub 4 |
|--------------|------------------------|------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|
| Advanced Tab | >> Intel Advanced Menu | >> OverClocking Performance Menu | OverClocking Feature `Enabled` | |
| | | | >> Processor | Voltage Offset `100` |
| | | | | Offset Prefix `-` |
| | | | >> GT | GT Voltage Offset `80` |
| | | | | Offset Prefix `-` |
| | | | | GTU Voltage Offset `80` |
| | | | | Offset Prefix `-` |
| | | | >> Uncore | Uncore Voltage Offset `80`|
| | | | | Offset Prefix `-` |
| | | | | |
> * The following settings depend on your own personal preference:
* If you want to optimize CPU **performance** at the cost of battery:
| Main Menu | Sub 1 | Sub 2 | Sub 3 | Sub 4 |
|--------------|------------------------|------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------|
| Advanced Tab | >> Power & Performance | >> CPU - Power Management Control | Boot performance mode `Turbo Performance` | |
| | | | >> Config TDP Configurations | `Up` |
| | | | | |
* If you want to optimize **battery time** at the cost of performance:
| Main Menu | Sub 1 | Sub 2 | Sub 3 | Sub 4 |
|--------------|------------------------|------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------|
| Advanced Tab | >> Power & Performance | >> CPU - Power Management Control | Boot performance mode `Max Battery` | |
| | | | >> Config TDP Configurations | `Down` |
| | | | | |